Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
Seoul City invites people to read, relax in urban parks
This undated photo shows children relaxing in camping chairs while enjoying books at Dream Forest in Seoul’s Gangbuk District. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
By Jung Da-hyun
The Seoul Metropolitan Government wrapped up its Reading in Seoul Garden event, Saturday, which took place every Friday and Saturday from September to October at Namsan Park and Dream Forest in Gangbuk District.
The event aimed to provide a peaceful setting for visitors to enjoy reading and relaxation amid the scenic beauty of Seoul’s public parks.
The spaces, where events were held, were thoughtfully designed to accommodate all types of readers, featuring a range of books, camping chairs and bean bags to create a comfortable, immersive reading experience. All programs were free of charge, inviting more people to enjoy the tranquil combination of nature and literature.
To broaden the reading experience, the autumn edition of Reading in Seoul Garden partnered with Welaaa, a popular audiobook and e-book platform.
Visitors were able to explore a digital library through the Welaaa Zone, where they accessed audiobooks and e-books for free on their smartphones or tablets. This integration aimed to broaden the program's accessibility and appeal, offering readers an opportunity to enjoy stories in multiple formats.
People gather at Namsan Park for a book talk show, featuring Kim Shin-ji, author of the best-seller "Seasonal Happiness," with singer Yangpa as the emcee , Friday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
Alongside enhanced facilities and a new e-book platform, the city government hosted special programs to enrich the Reading in Seoul Garden experience at each location.
At Namsan Park on Friday, a highlight was the book talk show featuring Kim Shin-ji, author of the best-seller "Seasonal Happiness," which delves into Korea’s 24 traditional seasonal divisions and the joy within each period.
Kim led a discussion on “Creating Your Own Seasonal Happiness,” followed by a performance from singer Yangpa, an avid reader known for sharing book-related content on her YouTube channel. Currently active in music, Yangpa’s performance added warmth and engagement to the event.
The book talk offered an engaging, interactive experience, allowing attendees to ask questions, discover their seasonal birth period and participate in a Q&A session with the author, who addressed presubmitted audience questions. The session provided a memorable opportunity for visitors to connect more deeply with the book’s themes and share their personal reflections on seasonal happiness.
Meanwhile, at Dream Forest, a popular destination for families with young children, a series of puppet shows bringing classic fairy tales to life were performed.
The puppet shows, held four times on Saturdays — Sept. 14, 21, and Oct. 5 and 26 — captivated young audiences with engaging, educational adaptations of timeless stories.
The event captivated children with its adaptations of classic stories, offering both entertainment and enrichment for young minds. This family-friendly addition added further diversity to the park's program.
"The cool fall season is perfect for reading, and we’ve organized a range of book-related activities for citizens visiting parks across the city," said Lee Su-yeon, head of the city government's Garden-City Bureau.
"We hope this event encouraged families, friends, and couples to come together and enjoy leisurely reading amid Seoul’s beautiful autumn scenery."