KorExBridgeKorean photobooks and art books and novels are often printed in small runs. Many never get a US release. This guide shows where Korean books are sold and why the price is the same everywhere. It also covers how to find an out of print copy and what shipping to the US really costs.
In this article
Where Korean Books Are Sold
YES24 and Aladin and Kyobo are the three big online bookstores in Korea. Between them they carry almost every Korean book in print. They also list used copies from their own used shops and from other sellers.
The catch is checkout. The main Korean sites expect a Korean address and often a Korean card or phone number. Some titles can ship abroad but the options and fees vary and many books are not eligible. YES24 runs a global store too. Its catalog is smaller than the Korean site.
With a buying agent none of that matters. We order on the main Korean site with our Korean account. The book comes to our Seoul warehouse and we send it on to you.
Tip: send us the ISBN as well as the link. Korean books often have reprints and new covers. The ISBN tells us the exact edition you want.
Why the Price Is the Same Everywhere
Korea has a book price law. A new book can be discounted by at most 10% plus a small amount in points. That is why a new photobook listed at ₩50,000 usually sells for ₩47,500 or ₩45,000 on every major site. You do not need to shop around for a new copy. We pick the store that has it in stock and can ship both of your books together.
Finding an Out of Print Book
When a book is out of print the big stores show it as sold out. That does not always mean it is gone. Here is where we look:
- Used listings on YES24 and Aladin and Kyobo
- Aladin's own used bookstores
- Korean secondhand marketplaces and used bookshops
A used copy is never bought blind. We send you photos of the cover and spine and corners and page edges with an honest note on its condition. You decide before we buy.
What Two Photobooks Cost to New York
A reader in New York asked us for two photobooks by a Korean photographer. Both were in print and new. Here is the quote we sent on 25 Oct 2026:
Shipping is the biggest part of a small book order. It is charged once per box. So two or three books cost much less per book than one. You can also add K-pop albums or skincare from Shop Korea to the same box.
How We Check and Pack Books
Photobooks are heavy and their corners bend easily. When a book reaches our Seoul warehouse we check the cover and spine and corners and page edges. We make sure any slipcase or insert is there. If we find damage we send you photos and ask the store for a replacement before anything ships.
Each book is wrapped on its own with rigid board on both sides. Then the books go into a sturdy box with moisture protection. FedEx International Priority is fully tracked and usually reaches the US in 3 to 5 days.
How to Order a Korean Book
- 1
Send the link or ISBN
A YES24 or Aladin or Kyobo link works. The Korean title and ISBN help us find the exact edition.
- 2
Get one quote
We check stock and condition and reply with the full cost. Nothing is charged until you approve it.
- 3
We buy and check it
The books arrive at our Seoul warehouse. We check and photograph them.
- 4
It ships to your door
Packed flat and tracked by FedEx. Usually 3 to 5 days to the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do YES24 and Aladin ship to the US?
Some Korean bookstores offer international shipping on some titles but the options and fees vary and many books are not eligible. YES24 also runs a global store with a smaller catalog. A buying agent can order from the main Korean site for you.
Why is the same Korean book the same price everywhere?
Korea has a book price law. New books can be discounted by at most 10% plus a small amount in points. So major stores like YES24 and Aladin and Kyobo usually sell a new book at the same price.
Can you find an out of print Korean book?
Often yes. We check used listings at the big bookstores and Korean secondhand markets. A used copy is never bought until you see photos of its condition and approve it.
Do I pay US import duty on books?
Printed books are usually duty free in the US. The carrier may still charge a small clearance fee.
How do you pack photobooks?
Each book is wrapped on its own with rigid board on both sides. Then the books go into a sturdy box with moisture protection so the corners and spine arrive flat.
Looking for a Korean book?
Send us the link or the ISBN. We find it in Korea and ship it to you.
Send a book link → 15% service fee (min $8) · $2.50 domestic · shipping by weight · no monthly fee