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Seoulites' Picks

City of Book Lovers

Published Date : Feb 03, 2020 / Edited Date : Jun 16, 2023

 

You drink coffee at a bookstore and take photos in a library. It is now common to even see music concerts take place in facilities that used to only have people quietly reading books. Even markets have opened up at some of those places! Say goodbye to the bookstores and libraries where you use to just keep quiet and calm. New places with vivacious and cozy ambiances are quickly coming to life these days. Seoul, too, is starting to treat books differently. Here, we are introducing you to five book-centered cultural complexes that allow you to enjoy books peacefully and comfortably.

 

 

 

COEX Starfield Library

 

 

What if you were able to find a library in the midst of a shopping mall? There is such a place where an idea like this has come true - Starfield Library in COEX Mall. Constructed in an area of 2,800㎡, this library enables visitors to immerse themselves in books in a casual setting. Over 70,000 books are densely arranged throughout the shelves, the tallest one reaching 13 meters high!

 

The majority of books are related to literature and the humanities. There are also many books on hobbies and practical knowledge. Here, you can easily find foreign books and magazines that are difficult to find elsewhere within the country. The “Library of Celebrities” that display books of celebrities is a unique section. iPads can also be used to read e-books. Not only can you read books but you can also use your laptop at one of the desks installed around the bookshelves. The only thing you need to do is choose a book you want to read and take a seat. Stations that can be used to look up and locate books are readily available to help you, as well.

 

At the Starfield Library, it is okay to other things than just read books. There are people who enjoy the calm atmosphere while relaxing or waiting for someone. In the middle of the library, there are works as part of ongoing art projects. You can feel free to look around and appreciate them if you are an art lover. Various events take place here, too, such as meet-and-greets with authors, book concerts, poetry reading, and lectures by celebrities. The place deserves the title of a “book-centered cultural complex” as it has a plethora of programs that are waiting for you to join. Don’t hesitate to try one out.

 

 

Address 
  • B1, Starfield COEX Mall, 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Tel 
  • +82-2-6002-3031
Hours 
  • 10:30 - 22:00 KST
* Foreign books in English and other languages are available.

 

 

 

Seoul Metropolitan Library

 

 

There is a quiet library at the center of Seoul, the city that always seems to be crowded. It is the “Seoul Metropolitan Library.” First built in 1926 as the Gyeongseong-bu Office Building during the period of Japanese Occupation, the building was later used as Seoul City Hall after the country’s liberation. In 2012, the new building of Seoul City Hall was completed and all departments moved to the new facility. The old building was transformed into a library, which became the Seoul Metropolitan Library.

 

Seoul Metropolitan Library is noteworthy in that not only does it contain over a hundred years of history in the middle of Seoul, but it also possesses a historical significance for not having been demolished despite it being one of the painful wounds remaining from the Japanese Occupation. Could there be a more special location for a library that links the past and the present and delivers knowledge and wisdom? The building is currently designated as Cultural Heritage no. 52.

 

Seoul Metropolitan Library contains about 450,000 books categorized under nine themes as well as a range of materials including DVDs, audiobooks, periodicals, and e-books in an area of 18,711 ㎡. Everyone can access books they want to check out and read in the reference room of the library. Entrance is free. That said, you need to be enrolled as a member if you want to use services like borrowing books, reserving books, and gaining access to the archives. To become a member, you should be a registered resident of Seoul, working or studying in Seoul, an overseas Korean living in Seoul or those with an F4 visa, or a registered foreigner.

 

 

You may find it intriguing to explore every corner of the Seoul Metropolitan Library because it has been restored to maintain its appearance of 100 years ago. Its facilities and interior design are kept intact so that you can appreciate the architectural style of the time. Be sure to take a tour of the library to get a feel for its unique atmosphere! At the Seoul Archive Culture Hall, containing the stories of Seoul's past, you can view the “Story of the Seoul Plaza with Mr. Gubo,” which is inspired from "A Day in the Life of Gubo the Novelist," a representative work of the novelist Park Tae-won. Aside from the hall, the mayor’s office and the reception room are also kept in their original state.

 

 

Address 
  • 110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
Tel 
  • +82-2-2133-0300
Hours 
  • Tuesday-Friday 09:00-21:00 KST, Saturday-Sunday 09:00-18:00 KST (Closed Mondays & Holidays)

     

 

 

 

 

Seoul Book Bogo

 

 

Seoul Book Bogo is full of secondhand books with discolored pages, and worn-down covers. Transformed from an old warehouse near Sincheon Reservoir, Seoul Book Bogo is the largest used book store in Seoul! Over 30 used book stores joined together to supply used books to every book-lover. Over 120,000 books were collected from the owners who operated their own used book stores, according to their areas of expertise and viewpoints. The bookshelves of the mega used book store, with 1,465 ㎡ of space, are tightly packed with books that were once fondly held by someone else. People can freely take out a book to read and purchase it if they want.

 

At Seoul Book Bogo, you can also find independent publications that have recently received some spotlight. As many as 2,000 of them with different points of view and opinions are arranged in one corner of the bookstore. Seoul Book Bogo also has plans to purchase an additional 400 books published by indie publishers in collaboration with independent bookstores. Ancient books you can’t easily acquire are hidden as well somewhere within this store. Like playing a treasure-hunt game, you can enjoy Seoul Book Bogo while hunting for rare and appealing books as “Book Bogo” literally means a “book treasure house.”

 

In addition to this, Seoul Book Bogo hosts the “Independent Publishers’ Market,” where various authors come together to participate. Other reading and publication-related events that were once difficult to gain traction are also continually taking place. If you are interested, keep your eyes on the programs calendar on their website.

 

 

Address 
  • 1, Ogeum-ro, Songpa-gu, Seou
Tel 
  • +82-2-6951-4979
Hours  Weekdays 11:00 - 20:00 KST / Weekends & Holidays 10:00 - 20:00 KST (Closed Mondays, January 1st, Lunar New Year's, and Chuseok) 

 

 

 

Blue Square Book Park

 

 

What would it be like if there was a place where you can read books as comfortably as at home? This special kind of place is located in Blue Square, the rising star in the Hannam-dong area. Located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of Blue Square, Blue Square Book Park is like a massive library open to everyone. Anyone can freely enjoy reading books, purchase ones they want, and find people to have conversations with about books they love. As many as 50,000 books are waiting for readers in the 1168.7 m² of Book Park. What differentiates this bookstore from others is that it is specialized in books regarding the arts and sciences.

 

The “Book Park Lounge," which opened recently, is ready for those who want to read books in a more cozy and relaxed ambiance. Separate booths for individual readers, recliners, and a premium cafe that serves delicious drip coffee, all support this pleasant environment for visitors’ reading. They can pick from a selection of over 3,000 books that were chosen by publication experts, from bestsellers to much-talked-about pieces. Try reading books with a cup of coffee, lying down on a sofa or secluded in your secret space. A day-pass for the Book Park Lounge (includes entrance fee with a coffee or a beverage) is KRW 9,900 and a monthly pass is KRW 99,000.

 

 

Address 
  • 294, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel 
  • +82-507-1312-0539
Hours 
  • 11:00 - 21:00 KST (Closed Mondays)


# JeongdokPublicLibrary

 


For those who want to read in a campus-like setting, check out Jeongdok Public Library.If you walk up the peaceful Samcheong-dong alley, you will find Bukchon Intersection, and then Jeongdok Library on the hill on the right. It is a historic building that was built about 80 years ago, and its antiqueness can be felt everywhere. It is also a place where many people visit to see the scenery surrounding the library which changes from season to season, whether it’s colored with cherry blossoms in the spring or colorful leaves in the fall.

Jeongdok Library has 500,000 books as well as 25,000 non-book materials, allowing visitors to explore a wide range of areas. Spend exploring the bookshelves while looking at the beautiful garden of Jeongdok Library. In addition, at the nearby Seoul Education Museum, affiliated with the library, visitors can see various materials on the history of Korean education on display.

 

Address 
  • 48, Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tel 
  • +82-2-2011-5799
Hours 
  • Weekdays 09:00 - 20:00 KST, Weekends 09:00 - 17:00 KST (Varies according to the reference room) / Closed on all legal public holidays excluding the first and third Wednesday & Sunday of the month
Tags

#Seoul #Books #BookConcert #SeoulPublicLibrary #Library #Reading #ArcNBook #JeongdokLibrary #SeoulShopping #Store #COEX #StarfieldLibrary

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Read before Reservation
  • Reservations must be made at least three days prior to the tour date.
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  • Reservations for the following month are available from the 15th of the current month.
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    ※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
    (https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
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Read before Reservation
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  • The course is for tourists with mobility problems (Senior, people with disability, stroller user).
  • You may not use the course without an assistant (or companion)
    ※ At least one assistant shall accompany a tourist with mobility problem
    ※ In case of electric assisting device users (electric wheelchair, electric scooter users), one assistant may accompany up to 4 tourists with mobility problem
  • Reservation may be canceled when a guide is unavailable on the desired date and course.
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    (At least 5 days~1 month before tour day) Reservation may be canceled when Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office cannot reach you for more than 3 times.
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  • All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
    ※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
    (https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
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  • 補助人(或いは同行人)を伴わない場合は利用できません。
      ※歩行弱者1人当たり少なくとも1人以上の補助人を伴う
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  • 予約を確認するため、徒歩観光事務局(02-6925-0777)で確認のための連絡が行われます。
    (少なくとも5日~1ヶ月前)3回以上電話が通じない場合、予約が取り消されることがあります。
  • 解説を進行する時に発生する安全事故に対し、徒歩観光事務局とソウル文化観光解説士は
    責任を負いません。
  • 気象特報(猛暑、台風、豪雨、PM2.5)によりウォーキングツアーの運営が難しいと判断された場合、全ての予約は中止とさせて頂きます。(発効後直ちにキャンセルを行う)
    ※ 下記のリンクにてご予約当日の気象特報をご確認ください。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/ja/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
预约前说明事项
  • 观光日基准最少3日前方可进行预约。
  • 最多可申请10人。
    (※ 景福宫, 昌德宫, 昌庆宫是例外 最多可申请20人)
  • 在已登记的预约团体中,只接待不超过预约人数的团体,可在前一天17时前追加预约。
  • 下个月的预约可从前一月15日开始。
  • 如有发热或呼吸道症状(发烧、咳嗽、痰液、肌肉痛、鼻塞、咽喉痛等),请避免参与解说活动。
  • 无保护者随同的未满14岁儿童游客,会在现场取消解说活动。
  • 气象特报(酷暑、台风、暴雨 、雾霾 等)导致徒步观光项目暂停时,所有预约将一律被取消。(发布紧急措施时立即取消)
    ※ 请在以下网站上随时确认预约当天的气象特报。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/zh/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
  • 对于解说活动中发生的安全事故,首尔徒步解说旅游事务局和首尔文化观光解说社不予负责。
预约前说明事项
  • 观光日基准最少1日前方可进行预约。
  • 本线路是为了行动不便者(行动不便的高龄者、残疾人、婴儿车利用者等)的路线。
  • 无辅助人员(或同行人)伴随时,不可利用。
    ※ 步行不便者1名至少需要1名以上的辅助人员陪同。
    ※ 电动辅助器具(电动轮椅、电动独轮车等)使用者时,每一位辅助人员最多可陪同 4名步行不便者。
  • 希望观光的日期及线路上无解说员时,预约有可能被取消。
  • 为了确认预约,徒步观光事务局(02-6925-0777)会致电进行确认。
    (最少5日~一个月前) 3次以上无法连接时,预约将被取消。
  • 进行解说时,对于有可能发生的安全事故,徒步观光事务局和首尔文化观光解说员概不负责。
  • 气象特报(酷暑、台风、暴雨 、雾霾 等)导致徒步观光项目暂停时,所有预约将一律被取消。(发布紧急措施时立即取消)
    ※ 请在以下网站上随时确认预约当天的气象特报。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/zh/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
預約前說明事項
  • 最晚請於預約日期3天前完成預約。
  • 最多可申請10人。
    (※ 景福宮, 昌德宮, 昌慶宮是例外 最多可申請20人)
  • 已完成預約的團體若人數超過限制,可於前一天下午5點前追加預約。
  • 每月15日將開放下個月的預約。
  • 若有發燒或呼吸道症狀(發燒、咳嗽、咳痰、肌肉酸痛、鼻塞、喉嚨痛),請避免參與本活動。
  • 未有保護者同行的未滿14歲兒童遊客,會在現場取消參與資格。
  • 氣象特報(酷暑、颱風、暴雨 、霧霾 等)而導致徒步觀光無法進行時,將一律取消所有預約。(發布限令時將立即取消)
    ※ 請在以下網站上隨時確認預約當天的氣象特報。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/zh/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
  • 進行解說時,對於有可能發生的安全事故,首爾徒步解說觀光事務局和首爾文化觀光解說員概不負責。
預約前說明事項
  • 觀光日基準最少1日前方可進行預約。
  • 本線路是為了行動不便者(行動不便的高齡者、殘疾人、嬰兒車利用者等)的路線。
  • 無輔助人員(或同行人)伴隨時,不可利用。
    ※ 步行不便者1名至少需要1名以上的輔助人員陪同。
    ※ 電動輔助器具(電動輪椅、電動獨輪車等)使用者時,每壹位輔助人員最多可陪同 4名步行不便者。
  • 希望觀光的日期及線路上無解說員時,預約有可能被取消。
  • 為了確認預約,徒步觀光事務局(02-6925-0777)會致電進行確認。
    (最少5日~壹個月前) 3次以上無法連接時,預約將被取消。
  • 進行解說時,對於有可能發生的安全事故,徒步觀光事務局和首爾文化觀光 解說員概不負責。
  • 氣象特報(酷暑、颱風、暴雨 、霧霾 等)而導致徒步觀光無法進行時,將一律取消所有預約。(發布限令時將立即取消)
    ※ 請在以下網站上隨時確認預約當天的氣象特報。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/zh/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)