(JTBC)

K-pop star IU was seen reading “The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky in a reality TV program she stars in.

Producer Kim Hak-min of “Hyori’s Home Stay” said that IU had picked the novel as the best book she had read in her life, according to a Joongang Ilbo report Saturday.

Kim’s comment came after some fans spotted the book in an episode of the show.

(Minumsa publishers)

IU features in the reality show as a housekeeping staff member. In between her work, she was seen poring over the heavy volume with a serious look on her face.

Some skeptics questioned whether this was a marketing tactic by the publisher to promote the 1,500-page classic dealing with human sin and redemption.

However, Kim said IU had brought the book herself and read it whenever she had time.

At an event earlier this year, IU had told fans that she really enjoys reading “The Brothers Karamazov” and that she is drawn the most to the character of Ivan, who is depicted as the most rational of the four brothers.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)