November 4, 2026 | K-POP News | Indonesia · Korean Books & Culture
Korean children’s books are taking center stage in Jakarta this weekend, with three days of author talks, storytelling and hands-on workshops. K-Book 2026 will run from November 6 to 8 at KOREA 360 in Lotte Mall Jakarta, and admission is free.
The event is organized by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korean Cultural Center Indonesia (KCCI) and the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (KPIPA). This year’s theme, “Edisi Buku Anak dan Remaja Terlaris,” puts Korean books for children and teenagers in the spotlight.
A weekend built around stories for young readers
K-Book has been held in Indonesia since 2021. This year, the focus is on stories that children, teenagers and their families can discover together. Visitors can browse Korean-language titles alongside books that local publishers have brought into Indonesian translation.
Indonesian publishers including Gramedia, BACA and Haru are taking part, with selected translated Korean books available for purchase and promotions. There is one thing to keep in mind: visitors can browse the exhibition copies, but only books clearly offered for sale can be purchased and taken home.
The Friday opening ceremony, scheduled for 3 p.m. local time, will also recognize winners of the Road to K-Book 2026 video competition. Students from King Sejong Institute KCCI are due to present a retelling of the Korean folk story Kongjwi Patjwi.
Meet children’s author Shin Weon Mi
One of the weekend’s main guests is Korean children’s writer Shin Weon Mi, known for Grandpa’s Ballet, a story about a child and his grandfather finding a way to understand each other through dance. The book won a Samtoh literary award and has appeared in Korean elementary-school reading materials.
Shin is scheduled to join a conversation with publisher Gramedia on Friday, November 6, from 5 to 6 p.m. On Saturday, she will discuss how a few words of encouragement can shape a child’s future. A book signing will follow, with just ten places allocated by lottery, according to the organizers.
Later on Saturday afternoon, Shin will lead a craft workshop in which participants make and write greeting cards for their grandparents. The session is limited to 40 people and will be delivered in Korean with Indonesian interpretation.
Journaling, Korean folktales and family activities
The weekend is not limited to readings and book displays. Sunday brings a two-hour K-Journaling session with Ddabong Studio, followed by a cultural lecture on the roles of animals and food in Korean folktales. The lecture will be led by Febriani Elfida Trihtarani of Universitas Gadjah Mada.
Visitors can also make Hangul bracelets and bookmarks, color postcards, take photos and try face painting. It is more than a book exhibition. Younger guests can make something to take home, while adults have time to talk about books, translation and the stories children grow up with.
K-Book 2026 Jakarta: dates, times and admission
| Date (WIB) | Main activities |
|---|---|
| Friday, Nov 6 | 3–4:30 p.m. opening ceremony; 5–6 p.m. publisher and author conversation |
| Saturday, Nov 7 | 1–3 p.m. Shin Weon Mi lecture and signing; 3:30–4:30 p.m. greeting-card workshop |
| Sunday, Nov 8 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. K-Journaling; 2–4 p.m. Korean folktale culture lecture |
The venue is KOREA 360, Main Atrium, Lotte Mall Jakarta. Entry to the exhibition and the announced activities is free. Registration is required for selected talks, the signing session and the K-Journaling workshop; some craft activities also have limited capacity.
Visitors can check the KCCI event announcement for the complete activity list and use the official registration form for sessions that require advance booking. Children should be accompanied by an adult.
A different side of the Korean Wave
K-pop and Korean dramas may be the most visible parts of the Korean Wave, but books travel too. Meeting an author, comparing a Korean edition with an Indonesian translation, or hearing a folktale performed gives visitors another way into the culture.
Over three days, K-Book 2026 offers Jakarta families a chance to get to know Korean culture through stories, conversation and creativity.
Sources
Korean Cultural Center Indonesia — K-Book 2026 official dates, program and registration details · Media Indonesia — November 3, 2026 coverage of the exhibition, author and publishers.