Looking for English novels that aren’t childish but not too difficult either (and korean book recs in exchange)

If I’m asking for book recommendations, it’s only fair I give you some in return.
So here’s the deal:

[What I’m looking for]

I’m a non-native English speaker, so I’m not looking for something too literary or abstract. Ideally:
– Not too difficult for an intermediate English leaner
– Engaging & thought-provoking enough to keep me going

[Books I’ve recently finished (in English)]:
– The Pearl(John Steinbeck)
– Of Mice and Men(John Steinbeck)
– Pachinko
– A Little Life

[Books I loved in Korean translation]:
– Jon Fosse’s Trilogy
– Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun

[What I recommend (Korean fiction)]

Here are some Korean novels and short story collections I love. They’re all bestsellers here, but each has something unique to offer. Some are translated, some aren’t yet—but feel free to ask for more info.

1. [Not translated] Kim Ae-ran, Summer outside
   My favorite author. A short story collection about different kinds of loss. The emotions are quiet but deep, and they linger long after reading.

2. Yang Gui-ja – Contradictions (모순)

A modern Korean classic. A coming-of-age story centered on a woman caught between two very different men. Feels like a really well-written K-drama, in the best way.

What?? It only has 4 reviews on Amazon???????????

1. Young Writer Award collections / [Not translated] Soseol Boda series
   Short stories by emerging Korean authors, often paired with insightful author interviews right after each story. If you’re interested in contemporary Korean literature, these are a great entry point.

2. Park Sang-young – Love in the Big City (대도시의 사랑법)
   It's got a film & TV series I think. Reads quickly and casually.

3. Jang Kang-myung – Fired
   A collection of socially conscious stories written by a former journalist. Focuses on labor and inequality. Thoughtful but very easily readable.

4. Han Kang – The White Book (흰)
   Poetic and meditative. I have no words.