A Page of Leisure: Time Spent with Books

"The area with the most bookstores in Gangnam has always been around Daechi-dong, and it still is the same today. This is an area where there is a steady demand for reference books and problem books, so there are many mid-sized bookstores in a typical neighborhood. It may be too much to hope for a space filled with books in Gangnam, where rent is expensive, but there are always people who create wonderful spaces with creative ideas. Let's take a step into Gangnam's specially organized book space."

Terrosa POSCO Center Branch

Surrounded by over 10,000 books owned by POSCO Cafe. Terarosa, located on the first floor of the POSCO Center, is a renovation space commemorating the 50th anniversary of POSCO's founding. You can see a unique combination of iron, books, and coffee, which symbolize POSCO. Since most of the entrance, tables, and objects are made of iron, it may feel cold, but it also provides a sense of coziness through the medium of books. Many people visit here because they can enjoy cultural life with books in an open space, and they can also taste various special teas, coffee, bread, etc., so it is a place that many people visit to enjoy leisure life. Terarosa POSCO Center Branch, 440 Teheran-ro

Choi In-ah Bookstore

Where the most office workers come and go in Korea It is rather surprising that even though it is a local area, there was no proper book space until Choi In-ah's bookstore was opened in 2016. The curation of Ina Choi’s bookstore is unique. It is sharp and specific, such as ‘When worrying about becoming a good leader’, ‘Forty-year-olds whose worries are deepening’, and ‘Even if you are not a writer, you still want to write, right?’ In addition, there is a separate shelf containing books recommended by CEO Choi In-ah and her acquaintances. A variety of book-based cultural events are also held, faithfully fulfilling the bookstore's role as a space to provide food for thought and experience culture. In 2020, the second branch opened on the 1st floor of Gangnam Finance Center in Yeoksam. Choi In-ah Bookstore Seolleung Jeom, 521 Seolleung-ro 4th floor Choi In-ah Bookstore GFC Jeom Teheran-ro 152 Gangnam Finance Center 1st floor

Sojeon Seorim

Cheongdam-dong, the center of consumer culture, meets the Han River. At the edge where the commotion subsides, there is Sojeonseorim, a ‘forest of books surrounded by white bricks’. Sojeonseolim, which opened in February 2020, is a paid library that is still an unfamiliar concept to us. You can buy a full-day ticket or a half-day ticket. The Sojeonseorim space consists of a cafe on the first floor, the main hall in the basement, and Yedam, a space where various events using books are held. A collection of over 30,000 books carefully selected, a diverse collection of chairs that are considerate of book readers, artwork decorating every corner of the space, and even appropriate lighting. It is a perfect space of comfort for book lovers. Room 103, 1st floor, 14-4, Seolleung-ro 157-gil, Sojeon Seorim

Calling Books

Around 3 pyeong, the space can be seen at a glance through the brightly open glass. They filled the narrow space so well that if three or four people entered, their shoulders would almost touch each other. On one wall, there are decorations that reveal the bookstore's identity, and the low bookshelves and tables in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass are fully utilized to regularly present new books, exhibitions, and goods. The name of the bookstore comes from ‘calling water’, or priming water. In the middle of Apgujeong Rodeo Street, I hope you enjoy the joy of encountering a book that is like a stimulant for reading. Calling Books Room 103, 1st floor, 14-4 Seolleung-ro 157-gil

Byul Madang Library

Height located in the middle of the shopping mall The 13-meter bookshelves make even people who are not interested in books stop in their tracks. About 70,000 books are waiting for readers on the bookshelves that organically extend from the first basement level to the ground level. The first floor is stocked with literature and humanities books, and the first basement floor is stocked with hobby and practical books. The magazine-specialized shelf, which collects a total of 600 types of magazines, including international magazines, is a special space unique to Byeolmadang Library that cannot be found anywhere else. Events such as book talks and concerts held in a large space, like an outdoor plaza, are wide open to anyone. There are chairs placed in every corner so that you can read a book comfortably, making it a good place to rest your tired legs while shopping. Byeolmadang Library 513 Yeongdong-daero Starfield COEX Mall B1