Nothing can compare to the butterflies I feel when I step into a bookstore, and a good one at that. As a reader, I am thrilled by all the possible worlds surrounding me in the pages of books. South Korea has intrigued me with several of its bookstores and I have been keeping tabs on where I need to arrange my travels to explore these locations.
I first noticed them in K-dramas, and then I started to see them mentioned in travel magazines and articles. Even if someone doesn't love to read, these locations would provide a nice reprieve on a busy day of sight-seeing. However, for me, they are the sights to see! Here are the top bookstores on my list.
I don’t know how many K-dramas I have seen the Starfield Library featured in. And it’s no wonder. One look at the place and I feel the awe of a thousand bookworm’s dreams. The size of the incredible book walls, towering like skyscrapers, would leave any mouth agape. This is in my top 5 locations I want to see in Korea, overall.
There are tables, chairs, and lamps spread throughout the library. This makes for an inviting environment to sit down and read for a while. I also heard coffee shops are nearby, which allow for an extended stay. Although I might not be fluent in Korean when I visit, I plan to grab a book and try my hand just for the experience. Then I’d likely whip out my laptop for any quick emails or vacation picture uploads I need to make. Can you imagine simply having the opportunity to sit down with a book or laptop in such a space?
I also like the thought that this is connected to a mall. It would provide a good resting spot after shopping or when waiting to meet up with friends. I hear this mall even has an aquarium, so after a day spent walking around, visiting the library seems like a great way to wind down with a book and coffee.
Based on pictures from visitors online, this place looks popping. Kyobo Bookstore just seems massive, which gives my heart a flutter. Some photos show locals grouping around tables to read new books and browse literature. Something about that feels really organic to me, and I’d love to just mix into the flow of the people there. Turns out there is a cafe inside, too. This appeals to all book lovers who plan to get cozy and spend a decent amount of time inside. There is an English section, though understandably, it might not have too many titles (although some commented that it still is a decent amount!).
In addition to browsing books, guests noted that they have a good selection of stationery and notebooks. When I was growing up, my favorite bookstore was my local Borders Bookstore. I particularly loved their writing tools and composition books. As someone who writes on paper a lot, I value a good pen and quality writing material. I can definitely see myself leaving with a couple of new journals.
Also like Borders, Kyobo has an area for movies and music. I love when a bookstore has this type of selection as well. Like a one-stop-shop, I like to browse the media section to see what sort of documentary or old film I can pick up. While in Korea, I’ll likely be looking for certain Korean music albums that I can’t attain in the States.
Overall, Kyobo already feels a bit familiar to me because of its similarity to Borders. My local Borders closed when I graduated high school and I teared up leaving the store for the last time. I’m excited to be in a store with similar vibes again!
Okay, but how amazing is the book arch? The feel of this bookstore is so romantic to my book-loving heart. Relatively new, Arc N Book has beautiful wooden tones, shiny floors, and an interesting mix of modern and classic. I don’t know why, but weirdly, it gives me steampunk vibes. This shop has two restaurants inside, each with a different menu and aesthetic. They also sell things other than books like nick-nacks and journals. The layout of the shop seems interesting as well. According to Visit Seoul’s website, “Arc N Book is a curated bookstore separated into 4 themed sections: Daily, Weekend, Style, and Inspiration.”
A bonus for me personally to visit is that it was featured in the K-drama, Start-Up. Here Dal-mi is trying to find a book on business success and runs into her love interest Do-san. It’s a funny and sweet moment as they lock eyes across an aisle of books. Bookstores are full of magic and the show played that up.
Book Park not only features incredible book walls, but boasts many reading nooks and art galleries. Apparently, this place has a cafe on every floor. Can you imagine? If I had an extended amount of time, I have no doubt I could be here all day. The picturesque nature of this place is no doubt attractive for an extended visit.
On their website, it seems like you can purchase a special day pass for admission to their lounge. For an additional fee, this pass can also include a drink voucher for one free drink and discounts on drinks for the rest of the day. This would be a great option for me if I was ever working and traveling. A quiet lounge with drinks and food would be the perfect environment for focused work. And it wouldn’t deter from my travel experience because I’d be in a unique space.
I’ve recently loved the K-drama, True Beauty. One of the main settings of the show is an eclectic comic bookstore, Prince Comics. Here, love interests run into each other and find refuge from the world’s trials. It looked so comfy and peaceful. The shop owner even offered a menu, where you could order a bowl of ramen. This would make it easy to spend an entire day in the store, relaxing on their couch and reading through a comic. I’m not even a comic book fan but I’d happily become one there! The exterior of this store is also noteworthy. With traditional hanok architecture and beautiful vines all over the walls, it just seems so inviting.
While watching the show, I took note that I’d google the filming location upon finishing (to avoid any spoilers, of course). When I did so, I was shocked that the exterior really does look that gorgeous! However, and I should have guessed this, the inside does not match Prince Comics from the show and this is actually a store for handbags, Y & ANIMA.
The reason I include it here is because it was my love for reading and cozy bookstores that caused me to jot the location down as a must-see. Even though it isn’t used for that purpose, I have no problem taking a picture outside and pretending like it is! I likely will stop inside if I go during business hours, too. Knowing myself, I’ll have to put a lock on my wallet to keep from purchasing something due to the sentimental nature of it being a filming location for True Beauty.
I’ve recently started watching the K-drama, Hotel Del Luna. In episode two, there is a brief scene of a woman writing and reading in a beautiful library. Immediately intrigued if it was a real filming location, I went to google (albeit with some risks of spoilers; thankfully they were avoided). Because of previous exposure to some of Korea’s unusual bookstores, I thought such a place might have existed. And indeed it does.
Seoul Book Bogo is a secondhand bookstore, which really tops the charts for me. I love thrift shopping to find books. You never know what you will find there, which makes the trip exciting. Being in such a beautiful secondhand shop would put me on Cloud Nine.
Unlike other bookstores, here they only sell drinks. No food is to be consumed in Seoul Book Bogo. And that’s okay! It is a rather spacious place though, and I’d likely need to eat a meal before spending a few hours there.
Honestly, it blows my mind to think that people actually live near these libraries. They’re amazing spaces not only to read but to think and relax. Although I have some cute local bookstores I visit here in Utah, the grass truly does seem greener in Korea. These bookstores are fantastic and I can’t wait to see them for myself!
