Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Han Kang's bookstore in Seoul receives fan visits after Nobel Prize win
People flock around Han Kang's bookstore, Onulbooks, in central Seoul's Seochon neighborhood, Friday, the day after the author's Nobel Prize win. Yonhap
By Lee Hae-rin
Along a serene, narrow alley in central Seoul's Seochon neighborhood stands a small, red-bricked building with a bookstore about 10 square meters in size.
Onulbooks, an independent bookstore hosting various reading sessions, writing workshops and book clubs, has become a must-visit place among Korean literature fans and book lovers. It is run by Korea's first Nobel literature prize laureate Han Kang, 54.
The bookstore features handwritten memos by Han, in which the Nobel Prize-winning author introduces books she curated herself. These notes are displayed throughout the bookstore.
The author's book collection, in which Han spotlights one Korean writer at a time, showcases her recommended books and writings. Kim Ae-ran's books will be introduced from this month to December.
There is also a "public phone booth," where actual voices of famous writers are played, so that visitors can experience literature in a unique way.
Around noon on Friday, the day after the news of the award, the bookstore saw an unprecedented "open run," with dozens of readers lining up outside the store before its opening.
People queue at Han Kang's bookstore, Onulbooks, in central Seoul's Seochon, Friday, the day after the author's Nobel Prize win. Yonhap
"When I saw that the owner's name was written as 'Han Kang' on the receipt, I realized it was a place run by the author ... I am so grateful to be able to read the original works by the Nobel Prize winner who lives in the same time as I do," a literature fan surnamed Kim said after visiting the bookstore over the weekend.
Less than five minutes after the store opened, Han's own books sold out. Residents and passersby in the alley also captured the bustling exterior of the bookstore with their cameras.
"I heard that the writer usually curates it herself. When I buy a book, I feel like I am getting a gift from Han Kang," said another reader surnamed Lee.
Han opened the bookstore in Seoul six years ago. It opened in Yangjae-dong, Seocho District, in 2018 and moved to its current location in July last year.
The bookstore, which is normally open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day, announced that it would take a "temporary break." However, fans and neighbors continue to visit, taking pictures and leaving congratulatory notes.
"I want to come here again because of its warm, cozy vibe," wrote an online user who visited the bookstore.
"It's a must-visit place for anyone who likes books and literature," wrote another.
A congratulatory note written by a neighbor is posted at Han Kang's bookstore in Seoul's Seochon, Sunday, after the author's Nobel Prize win. Yonhap