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• 

  The Place

  Seochonbooks

  Hi hi! I’m Florian, your guide to The Place.It’s good to meet you! If you’ve ever visited Seochon, you probably knowthat there are a ton of independent bookstores hidden in the backstreets of Seochon. And here we have… Seochonbooks! Seochonbooks A curated bookstore selling a careful selectionof interesting books,where people who have read the same book meet upfor a variety of book clubs. Most of the furniture is hardwood, making the space feel really warm and cozy.It’s nice! Oh, look up!  Seokkarae: rib-shaped rafterssupporting the roof of a traditional Korean house.  I think I’ve seen this a lot in Gyeongbokgung Palace.This is a hanok (traditional Korean house) too. And right next to us are a bunch of books.There’s a sticky note on the cover of each one.What’s that about? I’m going to see if there’s any book I recognizeand if that one has a note on it too, I’ll read it.Here’s one! Concerning My Daughter, by Kim Hye-jin The note says:“Relationships aren’t easy, no matter how much you practice.”That’s right. I think these comments are more like background information or reviews than summaries. The first thing to catch your eye when you’re buying a book is the cover, right?Or the title. But I think it’d be goodto choose based on the comments on the notes too. There’s a notice on the wall. Shall we take a look?  The “best of best” corner, for books that have passed the three-step process:Recommendation - Discussion - Selection I think I’ve read this one before! Simple Truth, by Cho Hae-jin “I close read this book for the fourth time as part of a book club!”I guess it means they gave it a thorough read. There’s a note on every book here too.I wonder who wrote these?Note Writer, over here please!  Florian(F): It’s nice to meet you! Owner of Seochonbooks(Ha): Thank you for coming. F: So you handwrote all these notes?  Ha: Yes, I wrote them myself.  F:  After reading all these books?  Ha: Yes, I’ve read all the books in this store.  F: I’d like to hear some more.Shall we sit down to talk?  Ha: Yes, let’s.  F: How long have you been running this bookstore?  Ha: It’s been six years since I started.  F: Six whole years?Same as me! This is my sixth year living in Korea.  Ha: Oh, really?  F: What sets this bookstore apart from the rest?  Ha: The first is choosing interesting books!And the second is using those interesting books to gather people for interesting talks.Those are our book clubs.  F: When did you start holding those?  Ha: Actually, I’ve been hosting book clubs since before I opened this store. I used to be a book club instructor,but I came to think, “I should call people to me instead of running around like this,”and so I decided to open a bookstore.In the course of scoping out a good location, I found this little space in Seochon.I thought, “This is it,” and I set up shop here. Another thing that sets this bookstore apartis that there’s a really diverse age range to our book clubs. Our youngest member to date was ,and we’ve had college students, grad students, homemakers, even sixty-somethings.  F: The viewers watching this video are actually overseas readers!Please introduce Seochonbooks to them.  Ha: This bookstore is constructed as a hanok,and we show you all the books’ covers. If you come by and look at the titles and covers together,you’ll be able to find some amazing books.  F: Did everyone hear that?Be sure to swing by whenever you can!- Behind the Scenes -  F: I’d better drop by with my girlfriend later to take a look around before we start our date.  Ha: Please do! F: I’ll be off now.  Ha: It was nice talking to you.  F/Ha: Thank youYou’re welcome! Bye Bye~ Translated by Jean Kim

  by Korean Literature Now

• 

  The Place

  Gildam Space

  Hi hi!I’m Florian, your guide to The Place.Nice to meet you! In the midst of the climate crisis affecting the whole globe,I’ve come to Seochon because I heard there was somewhere very special here. And that Place is…Gildam Space, a “green bookstore”! Gildam Space A multipurpose cultural space offering a little gallery, meeting space, coffee, tea, and a small “green bookstore” selling books on the climate crisis, ecology, and the environment. It’s really quiet and peaceful inside. If you look over here, you’ll see a collection of past volumes of The Green Review,and next to that, a poster for a lecture related to the climate crisis. Climate Crisis, Capitalism, Democracy: The Green Review and “The Value Beyond Values” I can see why they call this a “green bookstore.” Aha!Let’s take a look.Here’s The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming and Earth of All. And this one, The Disaster Tourist, is an award-winner!Winner of the 2021 Crime Fiction in Translation Dagger awarded by the UK Crime Writers' Association, huh.Ooh, I should read that one later. And if you come out front,Oh! You can order drinks here.Fair-trade cashew milk? Could I get a glass of fair-trade cashew milk, please?I’m going to take a sip. Cheers! I can feel the power of fair trade!It’s so refreshing. Oh, can I ask how much this costs? Every drink in gildamspace here is sold at a flat “culture cost” of 5,000 won (<4 USD), with the proceedings going toward various cultural events. Five thousand won for culture costs? Of course I’ll pay!Thank you! I can see a space out back as well. I wonder what that is.Shall we take a look? There are some photos on display here.What’s this about?It looks like some kind of cultural event programming. It says “Opening Up Shop at the Vegan Festival.”It looks like they do events like this too. Something just caught my eye.There’s a beautiful hanok house outside the window. This is Sangchonjae, a hanok cultural space.Sangchonjae is a famous date spot too,so it’s perfect for going to the bookstore, and then taking your sweetheart on a date while you’re at it! So I’m going to meet with the director. Oh Mr. Director!Florian(F): Hello!Could you introduce yourself for the audience, please? Kim Seok-jin(Kim): I am Kim Seok-jin, the director of gildamspace. F: Pleased to meet you. F: How long have you been managing it?  Kim: It’s been fourteen or fifteen years since this bookstore was founded,but I haven’t been managing it the whole time.My teacher and mentor Park Seong-joon founded it,then handed the management over to his juniors about four or five years ago. When this place started out,it was a bookstore selling across-the-board humanities books,but as everyone knows, the Earth’s pretty hot these days.  F: Yep, it’s on fire today too.  Kim:  So about four years ago, we decided to focus our efforts onmaking a bookstore and book café that centered more specifically on climate concerns. F: The viewers watching this video are overseas readers!So it would be great if you could introduce gildamspace for their sake. Our bookstore’s name is “gildam.”  Kim: “Gil” means “May we walk the road (gil) of happiness and peace together,”and “dam” means “fence,” as in the walls of a paddock or pen.It means, “In times of darkness or struggle, may we rest in safety.May we comfort and encourage each other within those walls.”That’s what “Gildam” means. Coming here as a foreigner, I’m sure there must be many spaces like this one abroad,and you won’t be able to experience much that’s traditional about Korea,but I think it’s a space that will allow you to experience firsthand how Koreans think and talk aboutissues of climate change or the question of how to coexist in peace. F: I’ll come back sometime too if I get the chance! Kim: Please do, and bring your sweetheart with you!F: Of course!Thank you for doing this interview today. - Behind the Scenes -F: So what are these books about? Kim: Since you’re so good at Korean, you should give these journals a try as well. F: Are these… treatises? Journals?  Kim: Journals, yes, but there are a lot of treatises in them too. Translated by Jean Kim

  by Korean Literature Now

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  The Place

  Yi Sang's House

  “Have you ever seen a stuffed genius?”  - Opening line of Yi Sang’s “The Wings”(The Wings, 1936/2001, tr. Ahn Jung-Hyo & James B. Lee) Hello!I’m Florian, your guide to The Place.When we think of the representative writer of the 1930s Korean literary scene,we think of Yi Sang.And the Place I’ll be introducing to you todayis Yi Sang’s House. Yi Sang’s HouseThis site is part of the lot for the house that Yi Sang, the representative writer of Korean literary modernism, lived in between the ages of three and twenty.It was purchased by the National Trust for Cultural Heritage in 2009, funded by a combination of public donations and corporate sponsorship, and has been preserved ever sinceas a space where visitors can encounter Yi Sang’s works and the traces of his life.This was the site of Yi Sang’s uncle’s house.Yi Sang lived here for nearly twenty years after being adopted by his uncle at the age of three.It was actually almost demolished in 2009.But thanks to public and corporate assistance,the National Trust for Cultural Heritage bought part of the lotand is still looking after it today.What a loss its destruction would’ve been!Let’s go right in.Oh, you can buy postcards right at the entrance.Let’s take a look.This is the style.Apparently, these are reproductions of drawings made by Yi Sang himself.This was an illustration for one of the writer Park Taewon’s works.He wasn’t just a great writer, but a great artist too!What’s this?Aha! Here are some books about Yi Sang and his work.Encounters Between Korean Art and Literature in the Modern Age, huh.Let’s take a look. This is a portrait of Yi Sang.Look.Wow, isn’t it incredible?Now, of course we should look at Yi Sang’s works as well,Look, everyone!This is the archive corner.There are so many of his works on display.And they’re organized by date.And here’s part of his most famous work, the poetry anthology Crow's Eye View.The letters are so small…But luckily there’s a magnifying glass,so we can read Crow’s Eye View from up close.Actually, Crow’s Eye View was originally serialized in a newspaper,but it was canceled before long.It’s such a complex and obscure workthat it received a lot of criticism from readers at the time,but, putting myself in his shoes,I think Yi Sang must’ve been really hurt by the reception of his work.Come to think of it, it can’t be easy to take care of all these works.Mr. Director!SangHyun Lee / Director (Lee)  : How are you enjoying your visit?Florian Krapf (Florian) : Nice to meet you! Lee : Yes, it’s nice to meet you as well. Florian : But Director Lee, this layout feels familiar somehow.Lee :  It’s modeled after the Palman Daejanggyeong (or Tripiṭaka Koreana) of the Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon.We’ve archived Yi Sang’s works in the style of the eighty thousand scripture plates shelved there.Florian : Oh, how beautiful.What’s that back there? Lee : We call this “Yi Sang’s Room.”It’s not the room he actually lived in,but it is a space embodying the description of “my dark and gloomy room”in his short story “The Wings.” Florian :  Well then, we can’t skip that!Yi Sang’s RoomThis room recreating the dark and gloomy room of the narrator in “The Wings” allows visitors to experience Yi Sang’s literary vision.I just finished the video.I was told there’s something up those stairs too,so I’m going to see what’s up there.You can catch a glimpse of Inwangsan Mountain off in the distance.If you happen to visit, this is a great place for a selfie!A collection of Yi Sang’s works was recently translated into English,becoming the first Korean work to be awarded the Aldo and Jeanne Scaglione Prize for a Translation of a Literary Work.Despite spending his lifetime in obscurity and poverty,I think it was his tireless dedication to his vision that let Yi Sang make literary history.Unfortunately, Yi Sang is no longer with us today,but the traces of his life remain in Yi Sang’s House,located on a quiet side street in Seochon.We hope you’ll come visit someday! That’s all for today. Bye~ ByeBye-bye!Now, how about some food? 

  by Korean Literature Now

• 

  The Place

  Yoon Dong-Ju Literature Museum: A Museum Dedicated to Korea's Most Beloved Poet

     Foreword Wising not to haveso much as a speck of shametoward heaven until the day I die,I suffered, even when the wind stirred the leaves.With my heart singing to the stars,I shall love all things that are dying.And I must walk the roadthat has been given to me. Tonight, again, the stars arebrushed by the wind. Who is the most beloved poet in Korea?Korea’s own Yoon Dong-Ju.Today, in The Place, we will explorethe Yoon Dong-Ju Literature Museum.Let’s go! Florian KrapfCompeted in the Netflix reality series Physical: 100Guest starred in the MBC every1 series Welcome, First Time in Korea? Let’s see.We’ve come a pretty long way.Here it is, Yoon Dong-Ju Literature Museum.We’re here. The Place Seochon Literary Tour: Yoon Dong-Ju Literature MuseumFormerly a pressurization facility and multiple water tanks,the Literature House was designed to commemorate the works of Yoon,which were as inspirational as the pressurized pumpsthat allowed water to flow mightily.The first thing that caught my eye was this well.This was the actual well that sat in the poet’s house.“Self-Portrait” Coming round the mountain, I go up alone tothe solitary well at the edge of the rice field and peer in, quietly.[...] by Yoon Dong-Jutr. Kyung-Nyun Kim Richards, Steffen F. RichardsSky, Wind, and Stars, Asian Humanities Press, 2003  One of his poems is the work titled “Self-Portrait.”It also mentions a well.I believe he may have been inspired by this well. Behind me, you’ll see many photographs on display.They speak to the thoughts and contemplations that ran through Yoon Dong-Ju’s mind.Poet’s House (Gallery 1)The poet’s life is featured in chronological order across 9 displaysthrough photographs and prints of handwritten manuscripts.They tell of the poet’s thoughts on his art.I see the covers of many books on the other side.Excuse me. May I know what those books are? Jung Rin Kang / Docent (Kang) : Yoon Dong-Ju was a poet and writer but he was also a voracious reader.He was fond of Baek Seok and Chong Chi-Yong’s collectionsas well as Kim Yeongrang’s Yeong-rang Collection and The Eulhae Collection of Great Poems. Florian Krapf (Florian): It’s amazing that we get to experience the same thoughts and dilemmas he had. Kang : Yoon Dong-Ju would walk the lengths of Inwangsan Mountain and be inspired to write poetry.That was the reason this museum was built here. Florian: Let’s head to the next exhibition hall.Come with me. We are inside the second gallery.As you can see, it’s titled Open Well. Open Well (Gallery 2)Inspired by the well from Yoon’s “Self-Portrait,“the gallery features the open roof of a repurposed water tank.Wells held much significance for Yoon.The space was designed with that motif in mind. Let’s head to the third gallery.I hear something. Closed Well (Gallery 3)Closed Well has preserved a disused water tank in its original form.Videos of the poet’s life and art are screened in a roommeant for silence and self-reflection.The roof is closed, hence the title Closed Well.This is a great place for quiet contemplation. In 1941, Yoon collected 18 of his writings and “Foreword“to create the collection Sky, Wind, and Stars.Imprisoned for aiding in his country’s independence effort,Yoon died in prison after a year and a half.He passed away at the age of 27 without witnessing the publication of his collection. His works continue to shine and provide comfort to so many people.That is the power of literature.We hope you too can feel a measure of comfortfrom Yoon Dong-Ju’s poetry today. I’ll see you at our next place.Bye bye!

  by Korean Literature Now

• 

  The Place

  The Chungwoon Literature Library: the First Ever hanok Library in Korea

  Hello!I’m Florian Krapf—German on the outside,but a true Korean on the inside!Florian KrapfCompeted in the Netflix reality series Physical: 100Guest starred in the MBC every1 series Welcome, First Time in Korea?  The Place Seochon Literary Tour: The Chungwoon Literature LibraryWhat could today’s “The Place” be?Check out the amazing giwa roof tiles behind me!Today’s “The Place” is the Chungwoon Literature Library! The first hanok public library of the Jongno District of Seoul, the Chungwoon Literature Library provides a space for reading, relaxation, and contemplation, as well as a variety of literary and cultural arts programs for local residents. Wow, isn’t it beautiful?It’s really a sight for sore eyes.And it’s totally different from what we expect a library to look like.Because it’s a library built as a hanok (traditional Korean house), there’s a distinctly Korean feel to it.Hello?This roof looks pretty special, wouldn’t you say?And you’d be right! It is!This roof was manufactured in the same way as the giwa tiles used in the reconstruction of Sungnyemun Gate, Korea’s National Treasure No. 1.Now I’m going to show you guys somewhere cool— I’ve rented the creative room.Remember to take your shoes off when you enter a hanok!Ta-da!It’s all ours! Opening the sliding doors filled with traditional beauty Welcomed by a roomful of elegant floor chairs and desksLocals gather here for book clubs and creative activities.And that’s not all!Sometimes they also hold literary exhibitions or invite guest writers for lectures on the humanities.This room is used for poetry-writing classes as well.There’s so much you can do here, so if you’re interested, come swing by!Now we’re on our way to the reading room, so I think we’ll need to be quiet.There are people using the room right now, so I’ll just give you a peek at what it looks like inside.Follow me! What might the reading room of the Korean writings-focused Chungwoon Literature Library look like? The collection includes a wide variety of literature, mainly poetry, novels, and essays.Fall into the world of books at the Chungwoon Literature Library!Time to take a break.Please take off your shoes here too!What did he see? Is this a library or a hotel?What a view…! The Chungwoon Literature Library is on high ground, right up against Inwangsan Mountain, and this altitude allows its visitors to vividly experience the distinct four seasons of the Korean year. In the Joseon dynasty, there was an institution called the Doksodang,This was a system in which a library would be built in a place with a beautiful viewand the king would allow brilliant, hardworking subjects to stay there and read.What happens when you read with such a beautiful view laid out before you?It recharges your batteries!Don’t we all need to take some time to recover after the daily grind?Then come on down to the Chungwoon Literature Library!The gorgeous Inwangsan Mountain is right next door too, so it’s perfect!I give it two thumbs up.See you next time, everyone!Goodbye! Translated by Jean Kim

  by Korean Literature Now

• 

  The Place

  Boan Books: A bookstore and Cultural Venue of 80 years

  Hello! I’m Florian. I might look like your average German guy, but inside me beats the heart of a true Korean.   Florian Krapf Competed in the Netflix reality series Physical: 100 Guest starred in the MBC every1 series Welcome, First Time in Korea?   The Place Seochon Literary Tour: Boan Books It’s great to meet all the viewers of KLN. I’m really into Korean literature too. Right now I’m walking through Seochon.   Located between the east side of Inwangsan Mountain and the west side of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and designated a Hanok Preservation Area alongside the Insa-dong and Bukchon districts. In addition to being one of Korea’s most popular tourist attractions, also a major Seoul transport hub as well as a focal point of history and culture.   When you say Seochon, you think of snacks and sights, but historically this was a district that a lot of writers called their home. Maybe that’s why there are a LOT of bookstores and cultural spaces in Seochon even today. I thought for a long time about what location to introduce to you. Today’s “The Place” is this one right here: Boan Books!   The Tongui-dong Boan Inn, which served as a local haunt for writers since its opening in 1942. After being remodeled into an exhibition space in 2007, it was reborn as Boan1942, a multipurpose cultural space that functions as a bookstore, cafe, gallery, and lodgings, all at once.    What does it look like on the inside?   It’s definitely a really different atmosphere from the standard bookstore chains we’re used to. In addition to a wide range of books from all different genres, there are also some unique ones you’d be hard-pressed to find in your average bookstore.   This is The Vegetarian by Han Kang. It’s a favorite of mine, so I’m going to take a moment to read it.   The greatest appeal of this place is... Isn’t this a beautiful view? You could sit here and read or draw inspiration from the scenery outside, and it’d be a great place to study as well. I feel refreshed just looking outside.   Taking a brief break to read and relax in Boan Books   Now that we’ve seen enough of the books on display, there’s something that caught my eye just over here. This is the passageway to the Boan Inn. It’s actually off-limits right now due to exhibition preparations, but I got special permission to show you all around. I’m entering the top secret passageway.   Shall we set off on a journey to the past?   Joining old to new, Boan1942 straddles the line between the past and the present by connecting these two buildings. The old wing, which is currently being used as a gallery, preserves the look of the Boan Inn exactly as it was eighty years ago. A hangout for the writers of the time, and the birthplace of a diverse array of Korean literary works.    I’d like to tell you something special about this place. This Boan Inn appears in a book by the famous Korean poet, So Chong-ju.   “In the fall of 1936, Ham Hyung-soo and I came to cook up a literary magazine called The Poet’s Village (Shi’in Burak) with the likes of Kim Dongri, Kim Daljin, and O Jang-hwan while staying at a place called the Boan Inn in Tongui-dong.”   - Excerpted from So Chong-ju’s autobiography, The Affection of the World (Cheonjiyoo.jeong)   Apparently, a bunch of poets came together here to publish a literary magazine as well.    The Poet’s Village, a literary magazine co-founded by So Chong-ju and his poetic contemporaries.     So this Boan Inn is a place with a lot of historical significance. OK?    Transformed from the Boan Inn, safe haven for outsiders and writing room of the literati, to Boan Books, a historical space offering a glimpse into the past as well as the consolation and emotional resonance literature provides.   I’m not a writer, but I do think coming here has made me a more empathetic person. I’ve learned what sorts of things the writers of the time thought and worried about, and leveled up my interest in Korean literature at the same time.   Literature is something that lets you vividly encounter the culture and zeitgeist of a nation even without going there to experience it firsthand. I hope you can all come to know the beauty and unique charm of Korea through its literature as well, even without visiting it for yourself. Then, everyone, see you next Place!   Translated by Jean Kim

  by Korean Literature Now

• 

  The Place

  Ina Books: A bookstore boasting a collection of over 5,000 books

  A eye-catching brick building in the concrete jungle of Gangnam, Seoul A bookstore boasting a collection of over 5,000 books Nice to meet you. I am Jeongmin Baek, the manager of the Seolleung Branch of Ina Books.  Choi Ina, the CEO, opened the store with office workers in mind.  She wanted to create a space for office workers to easily find books to read. Q. Ina Books arranges books in a unique way. Why? Unlike the typical classification used by libraries, we curate books by special topics. Some examples are, “Twenty-something and feeling lost,”  “Thirty-something and flooded with worries,”  and “Running out of ideas and needing inspiration.” When the bookstore first opened,  our CEO felt that people these days prefer YouTube over paper books.  She came up with the unique classification when she realized that people turn to books for solutions.  Q. Another name that Ina Books goes by is “A bookstore that sells culture.” What does this mean? For five years, we have been running a program called Classic Bookstore Concert.   We hold classical concerts with the pianist Song Youngmin, and offer art history classes taught by the art history scholar Ahn Hyunbae, integrating literature and arts into the space. We are planning many programs that instill the ability to think and gain insights on life.  Q. You have a special subscription service that delivers books unknown to readers until they open their packages. How are the books selected? The service is called Ina Books’ Book Club.  At the start of each month, we send a book to subscribers along with a letter written by Choi Ina, our CEO. The book remains secret to create a sense of anticipation. The key question we ask ourselves is,  “Does the book contain meaningful insights?” We find joy in discovering good books and introducing them to readers.  Q. Top 3 books recommended by the manager of Ina Books The first book I’d like to introduce is  Kim Choyeop’s If We Can’t Go at the Speed of Light. First of all, I must say I really enjoyed reading it. Described as a writer who is continuing the legacy of Korean SF,  Kim Choyeop offers a fresh perspective in the genre. If you read it, you will find delightful surprises and insights at the same time. You will feel your view of the world naturally expanding while reading. The second book is Seven Years of Darkness by Jeong You Jeong. The writer is one of the best in genre fiction. She was invited to our book talk session once, and you could tell she was deeply immersed in her work. You cannot help but immerse yourself in the story, and time will fly by before you know it. I recommend it to those looking to experience the pleasures of reading.  The last book is Whale by Cheon Myeong-kwan. The book is still a steadyseller even though it was published in 2004.  The solid plot keeps you engrossed throughout, and it’s hard to put the book down. The book explores diverse narratives through the lives of various characters. You will come upon people from all walks of life, which will evoke all kinds of emotions. You will be able to feel the joy of literature. Q. Is there a good place for reading near the store? Across the street is Seonjeongneung,  a huge tomb with a forest-like path.  Seoul, including Gangnam, is full of concrete jungles. The experience in Seonjeongneung is like being in a forest. It’s the perfect place to read or take a walk, and I highly recommend it.  There’s a book called Seolleung Walk by Jeong Yong-jun.  Seonjeongneung will be a great place to read it.  Q. What are your plans for Ina Books? We believe in the power of offline. There’s a certain energy that is generated when you meet in person. We will think of ways to get people to actually visit the bookstore, and continue working on presenting a diverse selection of books. Thank you. Translated by Park Kyoung-lee

  by Korean Literature Now

• 

  The Place

  The Translator’s Book Store: Specializing in Translated Literature

  A bookstore by day and a translator’s study by night, Mapo-gu, Seoul. I am Park Seon Hyeong, a translator and owner of the Translator’s Book Store. The Translator’s Book Store is a bookstore with a collection of translated books curated by a translator. I specialize in the Japanese language, working mostly on essays and books on humanities and philosophy. Q. What made you, as a translator, open a bookstore? I worked as an editor for a publishing company, and collected many Western books as part of being a translator. I wanted to share the books I loved and knew were worth recommending. That’s what led to the opening of The Translator’s Book Store. Q. Who are your major patrons? They range from publishers to translators and writers. We also attract many people living in the neighborhood. I’m proud of the strong bond we have with our patrons, most of whom are genuine book lovers. Q. How do you choose which books to introduce each week? I try to introduce at least 30 titles. I go over press releases to pick the latest books in the market. I always include books by writers or publishers I have been interested in. I also introduce books that might go out of print so that people won’t miss out on the opportunity. I try to strike a balance between new and old books. Q. Are there programs unique to The Translator’s Book Store? I have taught “Learn Japanese by Reading” for five years since the store’s early days. It’s one of the most popular programs. Participants not only read books in the original language, but also learn the skills of translation. “Translated Book Concert,” a program launched this year, is held on the third Thursday of every month. The program introduces novels, and plays LP records to accompany the stories. It’s one of the few programs that combine literature and music. I am very satisfied with the positive reception. Q. Top 3 books recommended by The Translator‘s Book Store Books on art and classics have been quite popular. Among the top three is What Artists Do. It’s a recent book by Leonard Koren, a writer with unique views of art. The book contains his thoughts on being an artist. I recommend it to those interested in the difference between art careers and regular jobs. The second book is Kusamakura. Natsume Sōseki has quite a number of dedicated readers in Korea. One of his more popular books here is Kusamakura. It’s a book that summarizes the writer’s views of art. The book has literary and artistic depth, and reading it is similar to reading a haiku. Lastly, there’s the picture book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. This book is not simply a picture book, but a philosophical book that can be enjoyed by adults. It contains universal truths and heartwarming drawings. I am aware it has been translated into many languages. Since the translated versions come in the same size, it will be interesting to read and compare them. Q. Is there a good place for reading near the store? Mangwon Hangang Park is nearby. Enjoying a picnic over a book will be a much-needed break from life. Q. What are your plans for The Translator’s Book Store? I’d like The Translator’s Book Store to introduce even better books. I’ll have to continue actively reading. I want to maintain this space for as long as I can, I hope everyone visiting the store can read and relax to their heart’s content. Translated by Park Kyoung-lee

  by Korean Literature Now

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  The Place

  Wit N Cynical: Bookstore dedicated to poetry

  A vibrant, lively street in Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Dongyang Bookstore has been around since 1953. The poetry bookstore Wit N Cynical sits atop a spiral staircase.      Hello. My name is You Hee-kyoung, and I’m a poet. I’m also the owner of this small poetry bookstore. You may be surprised on your first visit. You’ll find a bookstore on the ground floor. And then there’s another bookstore at the top of the spiral staircase. It’s quite unique to have two bookstores together.   Since they both sell books, you might think of them as rivals. But the relationship is more symbiotic because we focus on poetry, unlike Dongyang Bookstore.   Q. Why do you have translations of Korean poetry books? How was it like reading Korean poems in foreign languages? There’s a program called Yeok-si. We planned it with the Literature Translation Institute of Korea to share translated poems with readers and see how well they are received.  I was amazed that it was actually possible. Translation itself is often seen as an impossible feat. This is even more so for poetry. The effort that goes into translation is truly moving and beautiful.   Q. What significance does poetry have for you, a poet and a poetry bookstore owner? There are two types of jewels. The first type is clearly valuable and recognizable from the start. The second type grows on you as you take time to observe it. I think poetry belongs to the latter. In sum, poetry can be described as “a jewel discoverable over time.”   Q. Tell us more about Sagadogseo, a special space in Wit N Cynical. Sagadogseo is the name of a policy created during the reign of King Sejong. I think books sell less these days because people don’t have time to read. I saw the solution in leisure and space, and the latter was something I could work on. That’s how I came up with this space called Sagadogseo. It’s usually open to visitors for reading, and sometimes used for recitals and various literary workshops.   Q. Top 3 books recommended by Wit N Cynical Can you recommend the top 3 among your vast collection? As a poet myself, it’s difficult for me to pick the top 3. But there is one book I would like to mention in particular.  It’s Autobiography of Death by the poet Kim Hyesoon. This book is very well-translated. As you know, poetry is difficult to translate. The poet adopts an Asian approach to death, and the English translation is really good. I’d like to recommend it to those who need serious reading, those interested in Korean poetry, and those hoping to appreciate poetry as intended in the original language. The translation of Autobiography of Death is a real catch.   Q. Is there a good place for reading near the store? I was drawn to Hyehwa-dong because it’s an old town. It’s popular not only among the elderly, but also young people. Among the many hangouts, Marronnier Park is a must-visit. It’s the former site of Seoul National University. If the weather is good, there are many spots to sit down and read. I like to go there with a book in my hand when it gets stuffy in the bookstore. As you watch the world go by, you will get to know a charming side of Seoul.   Q. What are your plans for Wit N Cynical? The goal of bookstores, regardless of size, is to survive. The book industry is special. Bookstores are for-profit, but they also serve the public. People who run bookstores believe that reading is essential for a better society. They’ve come this far based on that belief. In this sense, I’d like Wit N Cynical to survive. It’s one of the few remaining poetry bookstores in Korea, and probably the only that sells solely poetry books. And by that alone, it has value. Translated by Park Kyoung-lee

  by Korean Literature Now

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  The Place

  Onul Books: A curated bookstore

  An ordinary residential area in Yangjae-dong. Where sunlight pours in through the large windows, and visitors feel as if they have traveled back in time.     Hello. I’m Kim Sooji, the manager of Onul Books. Onul Books is a bookstore that opened in September 2018. Our curated collection covers humanities, literature, arts, and picture books. From a broader perspective, we curate books by author and category. Our curation can also be narrowed down to books under the theme of color or books suitable for the season.      Q. There are sticky notes here and there in the bookstore. What do you write on them? I write down memorable lines, interviews with authors, and reasons behind book recommendations. I stick them throughout the bookstore to arouse the curiosity of potential readers. Q. Please reveal more about your secret book section. There’s a section called “Bundle of Secret Books” in the middle of the store. You can choose books based on the handwritten introduction, which leaves out typical information like the author. They are usually poetry, essays, and novels. These are the books you’d want to pick as a special gift for yourself or others.      Q. Telephone booths are hard to find these days. Why do you have one in the bookstore? The “Secret Telephone Booth” is not meant to make phone calls, but allows you to listen to different sounds by pressing the numbers. For example, you can listen to the voice of James Joyce, the voice of Park Wansuh, the sound of waves, or the sound of a typewriter. I hope you will enjoy moments of peace and quiet in the booth. Q. Top 3 books recommended by the manager of Onul Books The first book I’d like to recommend is One Hundred Shadows, a novel by Hwang Jungeun. This novel was a hit from the time it was published. It’s interesting how it can be read as a romance, and also from a social perspective. I often recommend it to those who visit the store to get their first taste of Korean novels.   The second book on my list is Dictionary of the Mind, a collection of essays by the poet Kim So Yeon. The book can be seen as footnotes explaining words in the poet’s mind. The essays are written based on the poet’s unique interpretation of words such as “darkness” and “scent.” It is highly recommended to those looking for gifts to express their feeling to friends or family. The third book I recommend is A Dream of Becoming Water, a picture book by Lucid Fall and Suzy Lee.  The bookstore is focused on humanities and literature, but there’s a separate corner for picture books. The book presents the lyrics of Lucid Fall’s song of the same title, together with illustrations by Suzy Lee. Designed like a folding screen, it can be folded out for reading in a large area. As you read the book, put yourself in the shoes of the child, turning into a fish and then a bird.      Q. Is there a good place for reading near the store? Some nearby spots are the Yangjae Citizen Forest and Yangjaecheon Stream. Yangjaecheon Stream is especially lovely in April, when it becomes pink with cherry blossoms. Reading outdoors is a worthwhile experience. There’s nothing quite like reading in nature. That’s why I recommend Yangjaecheon Stream and Yangjae Citizen Forest.      Q. What are your plans for Onul Books? I hope for Onul Books to stay faithful to its role as a neighborhood bookstore. It will try to serve as a bridge between books and people, going a step further than simply buying and selling books. Onul Books plans to grow into a bookstore that actively communicates with diverse groups of people.        Translated by Park Kyoung-lee

  by Korean Literature Now

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  The Place

  Spain Bookshop: A Spanish Haven in Seoul

  A narrow alley leads to a small bookshop like a Spanish haven in Seoul.   Hello, I'm Eva the bookseller who runs Spain Bookshop. I was in indie publishing and used to take my books around to a lot of bookshops. That's when I became interested in bookshops. It seemed like a fun way to get involved with nice people and projects, so I started my own bookshop.   I decided I would need a theme if I wanted to keep the place running for a long time. So I thought about what I liked best, and that was Spain. It has a lot going for it, culturally and historically. I figured it would give me enough to fill the space, so I decided on Spain as my theme.   Q. How did you become interested in Spain? It all started with Gaudí, the architect. I stumbled upon a book about him when I was in high school and that was the beginning of my interest in Spain. At first it was just wonder. 'I can't believe someone thought of buildings like that.' And so I became interested in Gaudí, who did a lot of his work in Barcelona. That got me interested in Barcelona, and then eventually all of Spain.   Q. How do you decide on what books to stock at Spain Bookshop? Keeping to our theme, the first books we stock are related to Spain,and Spanish-speaking countries. They run the whole range of subjects. We stock literature, art, travel books. But it's not like so many books are published about Spain or Central and South America year-round, so we can't fill the shop with just those releases. So for the rest, I stock books that interest me on a case-by-case basis. (Spain Bookshop also stocks Spanish editions of Korean literature such as the Spanish translation of Sohn Won-Pyung’s novel, Almedra.)   Q. What are your top three bestsellers at Spain Bookshop? First there's this essay collection, Barcelona, Living in the Now. It's a collection of essays from a two-year stay in Barcelona. Think sketches of everyday life, but set in Barcelona. There's just a whiff of a travel element but more than that, it's really about living in Barcelona. You can easily imagine yourself living there and get a vicarious sense of satisfaction. It's simply written but still manages to touch your heart which is why I'm very fond of it and recommend it to everyone.   The next one is a Spanish phrasebook called AMOR365. The subtitle is, "A collection of Spanish phrases for lovers." As you may guess from the 365 in the title, It has one Spanish phrase about love for each day of the year. "No star shines as bright as your eyes." It's very popular with people studying Spanish, or people buy it as a gift for a friend or significant other that's studying Spanish.   The third book is one we got fairly recently about the Camino de Santiago. It's about the French Way, the most popular route. The author went on the French Way many times before making this book. It's all done in watercolor. It's an accordion book. The entire Camino is about 800 km, from east to west. So this book is made to unfold from left to right,just like the Camino.   Q. Are there any nice spots to read around here? In the spring or fall when the weather is nice, there's Namsangol Hanok Village right nearby. It's quite big, and they have lots of places to sit, so it could be a nice place to go with a book.   Q. What are your plans for Spain Bookshop? I'd like to keep this place going as long as I can while still staying true to our theme. Spain really means a lot to me, so I'd like it if we could keep that focus. I think it would be great if it could become a lasting space for His panophiles. To build a community with like-minded people and to keep that interest going, that's the goal.   Translated by Yoonna Cho

  by Korean Literature Now