Two men face legal action for manipulating bestseller rankings through mass purchases of their own book
Category: Arts & Culture
In a notable case of alleged book hoarding, a well-known essayist and the head of a publishing company have been charged with violating the Publishing Industry Promotion Act. The charges stem from accusations that the two men purchased 1,631 copies of the essayist's latest book across various bookstores in an effort to artificially inflate its position on bestseller lists.
The Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office in Goyang announced on September 9, 2026, that the essayist, identified only as A, 49, and the publisher, B, 56, were indicted without detention. Their alleged scheme took place between March and July 2024, during which they aimed to boost the sales of A's book, which had been released in January 2024.
According to the prosecutors, A provided the funds for the book purchases, and B executed the plan by visiting multiple bookstores to make repeated purchases. To evade detection, they employed various tactics, such as timing their purchases with staff shifts at the bookstores and claiming to buy damaged copies.
During the investigation, prosecutors noted that the 1,631 copies bought during the hoarding period represented about 14% of the book's total sales, which stood at 11,135 copies. This substantial amount of purchases contributed to the book's rise in the weekly bestseller rankings.
Prosecutors have determined that A and B acted with premeditation, coordinating their efforts to manipulate the sales figures and rankings. The book's ascent from the 3rd and 4th positions to the 2nd and 3rd positions on the bestseller list was confirmed by the prosecution.
Notably, the investigation revealed flaws in the current system for determining bestseller rankings. The bookstore's sales tracking system is capable of identifying bulk purchases by registered members, yet it lacks mechanisms to monitor purchases made by non-members in physical stores. This gap has raised concerns about the integrity of bestseller rankings.
Prosecutors pointed out that the promotional benefits associated with being classified as a bestseller could incentivize such manipulative actions. The bookstore's visibility and promotional opportunities increase significantly once a book achieves bestseller status, leading to enhanced sales potential.
This case sheds light on the broader issues within the publishing industry, where the pressure to achieve bestseller status can lead to unethical practices. A's previous work had been highly successful, with one of his books selling approximately 1.7 million copies since its release in 2016. This history of success may have contributed to the motivation behind the alleged hoarding scheme.
The investigation began after the Korea Publishing Culture Industry Promotion Agency filed a complaint, prompting law enforcement to look into the matter. Following the complaint, the police conducted an investigation that eventually led to the prosecution's findings.
As the case progresses, it raises questions about the accountability of authors and publishers in the competitive world of book sales. The prosecution has emphasized the need for stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The legal proceedings against A and B will continue, with the prosecution committed to ensuring that justice is served. The Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office has stated that it will take a firm stance against any unfair practices that undermine the integrity of the publishing industry.
As the case develops, it may prompt a reevaluation of the measures in place to monitor book sales and bestseller rankings. The potential for reform in how bestseller lists are compiled could emerge as a key issue, especially in light of the vulnerabilities exposed by this investigation.
In the coming weeks, the court is expected to hear more details about the case, with both sides presenting their arguments. The outcome could have lasting implications for the publishing industry and its practices surrounding bestseller rankings.