Series visit to Jongno-gu Seoul outing to visit local bookstores (Jongno Book Festival/Book Cafe)

 1. Wit and cynical

Hyehwa-dong Rotary Bus Stop, which only stops two route buses, is the prettiest bus stop in Seoul.

Dongyang Seorim is near the bus stop. Opened in 1953, it is a neighborhood bookstore that shines even with the time spent with residents of Hyehwa-dong for 68 years. There is a seat for the teddy bear by the window, and around it, customers can sit and read a book for a while and select a book.

When you go up to the second floor by following the spiral staircase, there is a space for poetry called 'wit and cynical'.

Since they are mainly displayed in poetry collections, 'a place for poetry lovers' is always ready.

[2021 Jongno Book Festival Event] Saturday, November 20th, 3pm

Book of Springtime Korean Prose Literature <Taengja>

Instructor: Park Mi-kyung

2. Bihwarim

I rented a Ttareungi from a rental office near Changdeokgung Palace, and on the way to Jungang High School, I parked the bike in the scenery over the fence and took a picture. Due to the cold and wind, they eventually spend the winter with a humble appearance, but they seem to spend the winter with one hope that spring can come again.

Although it was too narrow to prepare a stop, a small sign was left as in the photo, but the Jongno 01 village bus arrives at the designated place and departs to the last point of the Gahoe-dong Community Center.

There is also a small neighborhood bookstore 'Bihwarim' near the Wonseo Pass village bus stop.

If you look in the direction of Jungang High School, it becomes the old moon, and if you look at Bihwarim from Jungang High School, it becomes a new moon that rises on the 3rd day of the lunar calendar.

So, when looking for a secret forest that meets books - Bihwarim, look for the moon first.

[2021 Jongno Book Festival Event] Saturday, November 20th at 7pm

vegetarian pigs

Instructor: Lee Dong-ho

3. Cultural Space Gildam

If you are looking for this place while exploring Seochon Village in Jongno, we recommend that you first find the entrance to the Jongno Public Health Center.

While ordering hot tea, I was curious about a tree with small purple marble-like fruits in the yard.

The tree that reminded me of my buddy (best friend) candy that had grape and strawberry flavor when I was a kid is called a sycamore tree.

The cultural space Gildam has an independent space for meetings and seminars, a seat for customers looking for a bookstore, a gallery where you can display the paintings of a certain artist, and a choice of tea to drink according to your needs. It suits you.

We are operating a shelf (bookcase) dedicated to used books.

[2021 Jongno Book Festival Event] Wednesday, November 17th, 7pm

Climate crisis through the eyes of a human rights sociologist

Instructor: Hyo-Jae Cho

4. The bookstore in Seochon

It has the advantage of being a bookstore using a hanok, but is it a good match found in an alleyway?

I looked at the water supply cast iron manhole cover and said, 'This is a knot!' I liked it.

The scenery before the arrival of the local bookstore is very harmonious.

A service that left the reason for recommending a book in a handwritten letter and allowed customers to read it first through the book cover.

Although it cannot hold many books like a large bookstore, the advantage is that most of the books here are arranged so that the covers face each other. The charm of the bookstore in Seochon is that it only sells books that the owner can read and read.

And if you buy it, I'll put an eraser stamp on it too!

Silkscreen displayed on the wall like a work of art.

In some cases, silk screen is used to make the same print on the surface of souvenirs such as eco bags, but paint cannot pass through the photoresist (blue area) that is fixed, and it is possible to print a single color through the pierced part by pushing the paint with a rubber roller.

[2021 Jongno Book Festival Event] Saturday, November 20 at 5pm

Urban crisis and rediscovery of nature

Instructor: Soojin Soo

The place that helps you enter the alleyway is the 'ideal house'. A three-way street.

Enter along the narrow alleyway through Tien Mimi, and then walk along the road that leads to the right again.

5. Stardust

'Stardust', which means 'Soseongdan' or 'enchanting charm', is an antique book cafe in Jongno-gu.

It is located within walking distance from Gwanghwamun Station, and when you enter through <Four Seasons Hotel Seoul>, follow the narrow alleyway that starts at the flower shop based on the three-way intersection in front of the flower shop for about 15 meters, and the book cafe is on the 3rd floor of the building.

I don't like the antique atmosphere, but it has a charm worth staying because it goes well with the book cafe.

Maximum of 2 people per table, and politely decline visits for conversation purposes.

Please note that the book can be read at the table after purchase.

Stardust also sells independently published books.

Hours of operation are Wednesday-Sunday from noon to 7 pm (However, from 1 pm on weekends only)

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Other notices are notified through Instagram or KakaoTalk channels.

In fact, milk tea is attractive from the foam to the last drop. This is no secret.

[2021 Jongno Book Festival Event] Saturday, November 20, 2pm

Art with nature <Museum Date>

Instructor: Saemi Jo

6. Loft Books

From Gwanghwamun, take city bus #1020 or #7212 and get off at the <Jahamun Pass, Yundongju Literature Center> stop.

If you cross the road and go up the hill to the right, you will see Changuimun Gate and take the peak of the hill.

Loft Books is the second floor of the first building you see as you pass by looking at the squirrel mural.

From Gwanghwamun, take city bus #1020 or #7212 and get off at the <Jahamun Pass, Yundongju Literature Center> stop.

If you cross the road and go up the hill to the right, you will see Changuimun Gate and take the peak of the hill.

Loft Books is the second floor of the first building you see as you pass by looking at the squirrel mural.

The reddish-coloured autumn leaves from the stairs going up to the second floor are very nice.

[2021 Jongno Book Festival Event] Friday, November 19th 3pm

Wisdom learned from Nordic design in symbiosis with nature

Instructor: Ahn Ae-kyung

7. Connected Bookstore

We do not visit Sewoon Shopping Mall to purchase or repair electronic products.

There are several attractions, one is a bookstore and the other is an observatory.

There is a Connected Book Store right next to Gate 8.

Independent publications can be found here as well, and the owner hosts unique meetings.

Learn French & French culture while swearing in a noble way.

Applying psychological pressure with chalk writing that the deadline is imminent;

Owner Have you done home shopping before? Deadline is imminent.

[Event] Saturday, November 20, 2021 2pm

Independent publishing story that communicates with people by putting your story in a book

Instructor: Fernbe, Haejun

If you are interested in Sewoon Shopping Mall, we would like to inform you that it is a great advantage to be able to see the wonderful autumn scenery in the direction of Jongmyo from the same floor where the independent bookstore is located instead of the rooftop observatory, which is now closed to prevent the spread of Corona 19.

The 2021 Jongno Book Festival will be held from Tuesday, November 16th to Saturday, November 20th.

Some of the offline programs can be reserved in advance through Naver Reservation / Google Form / Direct Inquiry.

The post is linked below for more detailed program information and application at book cafes and local bookstores.

The program is held in more places than those mentioned in the post. Please note that the number of people is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis!