Markiplier From North Korea Book

by Sunok Frank

No ISBN/ASIN data

A North Korean refugee’s daughter chronicles her family’s epic journey from war-torn Korea to the American suburbs, culminating in the birth and upbringing of YouTube sensation Markiplier—told with resilience, heartbreak, humor, and unflinching candor

Genres: Nonfiction

96 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2026

Reviews

[Atrocious Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the greatest of writing, but I really enjoyed about how honest this story was. Felt extremely personal but also felt like it had more of a purpose than just being a price. Especially from someone who doesn’t typically write books, very enjoyable & short read.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok first off I am a huge fan of Mark but this book really isn’t just about him. It was wonderful to learn more about his grandparents, mom, father, brother and stepparents.

This book reads like someone telling you their life story, I fully believe that it was written by is his mother Sunok Frank and not a ghost writer. You can feel her emotions as she is telling you about the struggles and the joys of living in South Korea and how hard it was for her family when they had to flee North Korea. The fear of coming to America but making it work and the excitement of her accomplishing being a nurse.

There is some triggering moments in the book but she never goes into details. She states them as facts and moves on which I think is how she herself dealt with those situations.

I’m so happy my boyfriend bought me this book, it was a wonderful read.

[Summerlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has been watching Mark's videos since 2013, I highly anticipated this book. I thought that Mark's name in the title was just click bait and that it would be more about Momiplier's life but that wasn't necessarily the case. This is the story of how one man escaping North Korea has had a lasting impact on - dare I say - the world. It inevitably lands on and spends a lot of time on Mark's life.

And while I appreciate that that's the intended purpose, I actually wish we were able to spend more time on Sunok's life. I know Mark's life (in a casual sense, I'm not obsessive), I've kept up with the major parts of it since 2013. I think most people reading this story are going to know a lot of Mark's life. Sunok has so many compelling parts of her life I wish she had touched on more. Her career as a nurse, her faith, her years with Larry. I understand that those can be very private but she did write a biographical story with the purpose of sharing her life. I have been reading memoirs for a while now, and they are the stories that I analyze the most, as terrible as that sounds. This is the first time I've ever read one and gone "I wish I had more." Most books these days get inflated with too much, in my opinion. But Sunok's story could double or triple in size easily. I hope one day to see a version 2.0 come out, and maybe even traditionally published. (Though I will admit good on Momiplier for indie publishing this and getting to keep most if not all the profits.)

A note on the writing style: if you're expecting something super eloquent, it's not. It's quite "frank" (pun 100% intended). And I actually love that about this book. There's no reimagined dialogue, just facts about events and the feelings Sunok had. I would describe it the same way Mark described Dungeon Crawler Carl's writing style. It's not a literary classic, and that's a good thing. Like I said before, my only real complaint is that I want more. And it doesn't need to be like privacy violating amounts of detail. Like a story about the culture shock of America, or the first birth she got to witness as a nurse, or just anything. Sunok Frank, your life is just as amazing as your sons'.

[Shelby]

I'm not going to rate this because it's a memoir and it just doesn't feel right.
It's clearly written by someone who isn't an author but I found it endearing and honest. Sunok shares her life without fear. It's an intriguing account, looking at where her father began and seeing her son in his success today.
I can't imagine this book will find many readers outside of Markiplier fans and those associated with fans. This was a passion project, a work of love. I think Mark is an incredibly kind son to support his mom in this effort.

[Layne F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I were to use ONE WORD to describe this book, it would be this...

Short and sweet. Momiplier (Sunok Frank) wrote something that was near and dear to her heart. For years, I feel now, she has said she was writing this book, and I finally have it in my hands. She shares some very personal things that I know must have been hard for her to share, I applaud her for her bravery, and her humor during it.

The book was shorter than expected, but it was kept professional.

[Camron Luttrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll preface my review by saying I have never watch Marks videos, my fiancé has been a fan for over a decade and I only read this book because of her. That being said I would rate it a 3.5 overall. I’m aware Sunok is not a native english speaker nor professional writer and while I think that adds a layer of honesty to the story I found her delivery of details sporadic and explanations incomplete making parts of the book unfulfilling. I did greatly enjoy her telling of her familys’ lives and commend her courage in sharing her own traumas and triumphs, but found myself preferring the chapters before marks birth over those spent praising him. While I would have loved to read a whole book about Sunoks life this one ended up feeling more like two separate stories in one book and neither of them complete. I very much agreed with marks message in the afterword about circumstances and the passing down of knowledge through words and stories. I will say the quality of this book is spectacular and while I had my reservations about it, I did end up enjoying it and being able to connect with my fiancé over a fandom she’s been a part of for so long through the stories.

[Cat Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Korean American myself, I know it must not have been easy to write this. My grandmother is an incredibly intelligent woman, but struggles to write that out in English. I know the other reviews say this is not super well-written, but for a second language, I’d say it is perfectly written. Family history is important, and I wish I knew more of mine. I am so glad that Sunok was able to share her history and part of Mark’s history. It’s an honor to have this book and to have had the opportunity to read the beautiful words of a mother who loves her children and wishes to share her life with them. For that, this book will always be five stars to me. I have followed Mark a long time on his YouTube channel, since I was just a little kid. Know, Sunok, that every choice you made has had a tremendously positive impact on all of Mark’s followers just in knowing of him. Thank you for the beautiful book and for sharing part of your life. 💛

[Aaron Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! The writing was very simple, similar to how I would probably write a book, but it seemed very charming. My only complaints could also be sort of compliments.

I understand that this book would sell better with the Markiplier branding, but I would have loved more focus on his mother’s life. Sometimes the book felt like it was pushing the mention of Mark to keep the reader engaged, but I think the story would be engaging enough. Unfortunately, I think the book was a bit too expensive for what it was, but I don’t mind since the money was going to the author. The book is less than 100 pages, but I definitely felt like it could have been much more. There were plenty of chapters that were only a couple of pages that would have benefited from more detail. In the end, I thought it was great, but I would have loved more!

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a Markiplier fan since around the beginning. It was pleasant to get to know an insight story about his mother and grandparents along with the family. It is a short story and more so a nutshell or summary of certain events to follow along the timeline of the grandparents to where we are now with Momiplier and her sons. Though I would love a more in depth story, this was still a good read. Sometimes a short and sweet story can be refreshing than reading a long book every time. I thank Sunok for sharing her story.

[therese]

it doesn’t feel right to rate a memoir like this, especially with its short page count and english not being sunok’s first language. in any case, she told her story with grace and heart. there was so much sacrifice and hardship within her life i never would’ve known otherwise that made her the sweet, hilarious and strong momiplier that everyone knows her as. it’s a wonderful example of insight into the things good mothers do behind closed doors to make their children’s lives better. can’t wait to read mark’s one day!!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was disappointed when I saw the length of the book (97 Pages); Especially, when knowing it was covering three generations of people but this really wasn't an issue.

I enjoyed learning about Markiplier's family history and the unique struggles each of them faced. Learning about both Markiplier's grandpa life in North and South Korea and his mother's experience moving to the United States was really interesting.

[Jake DeGear]

Very interesting journey and lots of good stories to be told here. Really proud of Sunok for writing this! Obviously I love her content and Mark’s, but this was a wonderful little read and provided a lot of interesting (and often saddening) context that I’ve never seen before. Honestly wish there was more depth to some of these, but it was a nice and intriguing read

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite good :)

Not very much time was given to any one story, but that made it a pretty quick and easy read. It's very homely and filled with a lot of love, even despite bad circumstances depicted in it. A testament to the strength of a family and, more importantly, its author.

[eshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.75) i am biased from watching Markiplier for so long so i did love the book and hearing the family memoir :) it was a little short and abrupt in places, awkward phrasing and editing errors in other places, but i highly admire what his mom went through, she’s a soldier!

[James Pena · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written! Somehow this short book encapsulates decades of time and information. Sunok Frank has always brought me joy online, but to read an unfiltered history of her life and Mark's beginning just made me appreciate them both even more.

[starry ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this all in one sitting. unfortunately i missed out on the documentary but i am glad i got to buy this book. sunok's storytelling is very engaging!! i love how proud she is of mark🥹

[parker jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

the price point for this book is diabolical but also i really enjoyed it so yay momiplier!!

[Rylee Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet story, well written :)

[ryan]

short and sweet story. named after markiplier, though it’s not really about him. a great view into another person’s life, family, and experiences. i enjoyed reading it :)

thank you momiplier

[Morgan Konz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has so much voice in it. I hope that she is proud of herself for writing it because I (even tho I obviously don’t personally know her) am proud of her for writing it.

[EJ Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and inspiring🫶☺️

[Rose of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is NOT about Mark; it’s a chronological story about his mother’s life starting from her father who was a refugee from North Korea, even though it is titled otherwise.

That being said I enjoyed reading of her life story. It sucks that she suffered injustices and abuse, but I am glad she has used her son’s fame and platform to show us how much of a loving and supportive mother she is and how her strength has helped her move forward. It’s written in simple sentences, as English is not her native language, Korean is, and this book is self published by her. Give this hardworking lady her flowers! She did a great job. And the heartfelt letter that Mark wrote to her at the end was beautiful as well.