6 places in Seoul for book lovers

Having previously read quite a few books by Korean authors, I recently visited South Korea. Although I spent most of my time in Seoul, I also visited Busan and Yeongju. As expected, over the next couple of months, I’m going to publish quite a few posts about my trip, with tips and recommendations. Today, I’m kicking off this stream of posts recommending places in Seoul for book lovers.

Starfield Library

The first place in Seoul for book lovers should be the very Instagrammable Starfield Library. It is located in Southern Seoul, inside the COEX Mall, one of the city’s premier malls and the world’s largest underground mall. The two-story library has 13-meter-tall bookshelves and is home to more than 50,000 books. Inside the library, there is also a Starbucks (one of the nearly 2,000 stores in the country), as well as Korea’s first % Arabica. The Starfield Library is open daily, from 10.30 am to 10 pm.

Earlier this year, a second Starfield Library opened in Suwon, a city lying approximately 30 km south of Seoul. This library is located in the Suwon Starfield Mall and is even larger than the one in Seoul. The Suwon Starfield Mall is located near Hwaseo Station (you can get there on Seoul’s metro).

Daeo Bookstore

The second place in Seoul for book lovers is none other than Daeo Bookstore. Located in Seochon Village on the west side of Gyeongbokgung, the Palace of Shining Happiness, the Daeo bookstore is the oldest in Seoul. It is named after a married couple, Cho Dae-sik and Kwon Oh-name, who founded it back in the 1950s. Nowadays, it is a second-hand bookstore as well as a little café. It is open in the afternoons and evenings. I had an iced yuzu and lemon tea for 6,500 won (£4). Cash only. 

Kyobo Bookshop

After I visited the Daeo Bookstore, I walked towards the entrance of Gyeongbokgung and from there down Sejong-daero. Kyobo Bookshop is on Jong-ro (on the left as you walk down Sejong-daero). As you enter the bookshop, you will notice a Starbucks straight ahead. On the right, there is a section selling books (including many by Korean authors) and magazines in English. It is open daily, from 9.30 am to 10 pm.

Gyeongui Line Book Street

After returning from Busan and Yeongju, I stayed in Seoul for another couple of days. I stayed in Hongdae, in Western Seoul, an area popular with students. Located between Hongik University Station and Sinchon, the Gyeongui Line Book Street was named after the Gyeongui Line on which it was built. I had read that Book Street was lined with train-carriage-like bookshops, but when I visited these were empty. Nonetheless, I enjoyed walking down this pedestrianised street/park, eventually having coffee at Picniq, which was filled with books by the Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami (translated into Korean).

Songpa Book Museum

The Songpa Book Museum is another place for book lovers in Seoul. Unfortunately, I did not manage to visit it, but I hope to do so next time I’m in Korea. It is located in Southern Seoul and is open every day except Mondays, from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is free.

Chaekbonyang

Neither did I visit Chaekbonyang. This is a cat-themed bookstore and home to a cute cat. Like the Starfield Library and the Songpa Book Museum, it is also located in Southern Seoul. It is open Thursday to Sunday from 1 to 7 pm.

Further reading

If you’d like to read more about the culture of South Korea, check out my post ‘Beyond K-pop: the culture of South Korea’.

To read about the history and culture of Korea, I’d recommend the book ‘Korea: A Very Short Introduction’.

Last, if you’re planning a trip to Korea, I’d recommend the Lonely Planet Korea.

Alex

(the Traveling Psychiatrist)