When I first encountered YES24, I didn’t view it as a platform I would use for the long haul; I was simply looking for a specific book.
The situation was straightforward: I wanted to read an English-language book on self-management. However, domestic channels either lacked the specific edition I wanted, charged high prices, or involved long waiting times. A friend then mentioned YES24, noting that it is a mainstream online bookstore in South Korea—offering not just physical books but also e-books, bestseller lists, and a variety of cultural content.
I signed up with the simple mindset of “just finding the book,” but after actually using the platform, I discovered it had a significant impact on my reading habits—even prompting me to resume systematic reading.
What Initially Attracted Me: The Comprehensive Selection of Foreign Books
What kept me on YES24 from the start was its categorization of foreign books.
I had assumed the English-language selection on an overseas platform like this would be haphazard, but I found the structure to be quite clear. The coverage—especially regarding original English editions—was far more comprehensive than I had imagined.
I could easily locate editions for common genres like business, psychology, and self-growth, as well as bestselling non-fiction works. Furthermore, the platform doesn’t just categorize by language; it offers granular sub-categories based on content type, such as business, fiction, education, and non-fiction.
The immediate benefit of this structure was a smoother book-finding process. I didn’t need to constantly switch keywords or platforms; simply browsing through the categories allowed me to continually discover new titles.
Sometimes, I would start by looking up details on an original edition, only to find myself naturally branching out into further reading—exploring lists of similar books or author recommendations. This experience of “browsing leading to expanded reading” was something I rarely encountered on other platforms.
Domestic Books: A Window into Reading Trends
If foreign books gave me easier access to international content, the domestic book section on YES24 served more as a “window into trends.”
It showcased more than just inventory; it offered a glimpse into what South Korean readers were currently interested in. For a while, I frequently checked its bestseller lists and noticed that certain themes appeared in clusters—such as career growth, self-management, and psychological healing. Even topics tied to specific life stages, like “time management” and “life planning,” would appear on the list repeatedly.
This structure changed my approach: instead of starting from scratch when choosing a book, I could make decisions based on current trends.
It felt less like a simple list of “what you could read” and more like a reflection of “what everyone is reading right now.”
Over time, I began to view this section as a valuable reference for my reading choices, rather than just a shopping category.
E-books enabled me to truly maintain a consistent reading habit
If the previous two features drew me to YES24, e-books were the key factor that kept me there.
Initially, I wasn’t used to digital reading, as I had long preferred physical books. However, as my commute lengthened and I found myself with more fragmented pockets of free time, I started using e-books to supplement my reading.
The most noticeable change was that reading became something I could do anytime, anywhere.
In the past, reading required sitting down and physically opening a book; now, I could fit it into odd moments—during my commute, while waiting for something, or even just for a short while before bed.
Another advantage of e-books is the continuity of the reading experience; progress syncs across devices—whether on a phone or elsewhere—so the flow of reading isn’t interrupted.
More importantly, it lowered the barrier to starting to read. Previously, picking up a book felt like a formal undertaking, but e-books made the process feel lighter and more accessible—I could simply open the app and pick up where I left off.
Gradually, my habits shifted: unless a book was one I specifically wanted to own as a physical copy, I would prioritize the e-book version.
Three content pillars that turned reading into a natural habit
Looking back, the reason YES24 got me back into systematic reading wasn’t due to any single standout feature, but rather the seamless way it integrated three different modes of reading.
Foreign titles offered a gateway to international content, domestic titles provided insight into local reading trends, and e-books addressed the practicalities of different usage scenarios.
Combined, these elements transformed the platform from a mere “bookstore website” into a comprehensive reading ecosystem. Sometimes I just open the app for a casual browse, yet I find myself easily drifting from one category to another—moving from original English editions to Korean bestsellers, and then to e-book charts. There is no deliberate plan involved, yet the reading experience unfolds naturally.
This shift in the experience is, in fact, one of the reasons I’ve returned to systematic reading.
Objectively speaking, who is this for
Based on my own experience, YES24 is particularly well-suited for the following types of users:
It is ideal for those who frequently read original English or foreign-language editions, as well as those who keep an eye on local bestseller trends and want to stay informed about the reading landscape. Furthermore, if you already have a habit of reading e-books—or are open to trying “snackable” reading in a digital format—the benefits of the platform become even more apparent.
However, if your sole priority is finding the absolute lowest price, or if you have no interest in e-books whatsoever, then its advantages might not stand out as significantly.
Reading as a part of life, not a chore
Looking back, I initially turned to YES24 simply to find a specific book, but it gradually transformed the way I read.
It didn’t force a change in my habits through some aggressive “hook”; instead, by structuring its offerings around foreign titles, domestic books, and e-books, it made the act of reading feel fluid, continuous, and natural again.
To me, it feels less like a mere bookstore and more like a reading ecosystem I can step into at any time.
And it was precisely this “ready-to-start-anytime” atmosphere that enabled me to resume systematic reading.
