The Bookseller – Rights – Doubleday snaps up ‘darkly funny’ dystopian novel from Kim Ryeo-ryeong

Doubleday has snapped up The Trunk, a Korean satirical thriller by Kim Ryeo-ryeong. 

The Trunk will be adapted for television by Netflix for release this November, starring Seo Hyun-jin and Gong Yoo, from “Squid Game” and “Train to Busan”. 

Jane Lawson, deputy publisher, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, including audio, from Nora Rawn at HarperCollins US on behalf of Randle Literary Consultancy, Eric Yang Agency and Changbi Publishers.

The Trunk follows protagonist Inji who is an employee of New Marriage, a clandestine wing of a popular matchmaking agency. Her job is to enter into short-term marriages with wealthy clients, but when a previous husband requests Inji back for another year of marriage, her dark past and the sinister underbelly of the New Management team begin to unravel.

Lawson commented: “The Trunk is a darkly funny dystopian tale, perfect for readers of Kim Ji-young, Born 1982 and The School for Good Mother. Narrated with sardonic wit by its resolutely single female protagonist, it explores the themes of marriage, gender roles, societal expectation and the realities of modern dating, bringing us a gripping commentary on love and self-actualisation. We’re excited to bring this compelling and subversive thriller to our growing list of Korean translated fiction and non-fiction.”

The novel will be published on 17th October 2024. HarperCollins will publish in the US. The novel will be translated by Ko-Lab, a translator collective established in Australia.