How Dazai Osamu’s “No Longer Human” Became a Bestseller in South Korea
Dazai Osamu’s No Longer Human has become a publishing phenomenon in South Korea, and is a particular hit with younger readers. Literary scholar Kim Yong-an analyzes the appeal of this classic of outsider literature.
Dazai Osamu's classic novel "No Longer Human" has become a bestseller in South Korea, with over 600,000 copies sold since its South Korean translation in 2004. The publisher was initially surprised by the sudden popularity, which has continued to grow in recent years. The novel has resonated with South Korea's 20/30 cohort, people in their twenties and thirties who have grown up in a period of rapid economic growth but have faced stagnant job prospects and intense competition for social mobility.
The protagonist, Ōba Yōzō, embodies the struggles and frustrations of the 20/30 generation through his aimless wandering, self-destructive behavior, and apathy towards society. The novel's frank psychological portrayal of Yōzō's pain and his defiance against societal expectations strike a chord with readers who feel overwhelmed by the pressures of modern life.
The novel's popularity has been boosted by a 2019 anime adaptation and a 2021 South Korean drama based on the book, as well as extensive sharing on social media and YouTube. Its straightforward, confessional style and powerful impact of its title make it an easy read for Western readers who can empathize with Yōzō's struggles.
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