Here are 4 bookstores that have become complex cultural spaces

When was the last time you visited a bookstore? Is this not the right question to ask when we order books online and read e-books? But these days, bookstores have become one of the most popular places among those in their 20s and 30s. They’ve become something beyond a place that sells books, and now are spaces that allow you to enjoy reading with a glass of wine, read books that are all about cats, etc. They are evolving into cultural spaces. As these spaces pop up more and more, there’s even a new word to describe the phenomenon; it’s a word that combines reading and entertainment - ‘readingtainment’. Here are a few bookstores that will present you with great new experiences as well as books.

Dorim Seojae, creating a free library

Dorim Seojae wishes to be an open space not only for the Dorim-dong locals but also everyone who comes around

For those who love books, ‘library’ is a place that will make their hearts beat just by thinking about it. Dorim Seojae is a bookstore, but it’s more of a ‘library’. The owners spent their whole lives in Dorim-dong; they wanted to create a unique place that is open to everyone like their very own library. Sometimes, they hold a leather craft class or salons talking about various issues.

Dorim Seojae’s space is constantly changing, with one-day classes, and various events

Dorim Seojae sells bestselling books you can easily find in huge bookstores to rare literary journals to independent publications, everything. As the books are not categorized, you will have to take your time to look around; another interesting factor that sets this place from other bookstores. There are seats as well, so you can comfortably take a seat and read what you want. There’s a cafe that the bookstore operates, Heavy Rotate, nearby, so enjoy your book with a cup of coffee. If you buy a book, they will wrap it with a wax seal. It feels quite special, as if you’re receiving a valuable gift.

Address: 3-14, Dorim-ro 113-gil, Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Tel. 010-8685-5669
Opening hours: 13:00~19:00, filter coffee 13:00~17:00, Mondays closed

Mirabelle X Ofr., Parisian sentiment in Seongsu

Mirabelle X Ofr. is at the end of a quaint Seongsu-dong street

For those of you traveling Paris, Ofr. is already a famous name, well known for its great eco bags and being a sentimental bookstore. And now it’s open in Seoul. ‘O’ in ‘Ofr’ means zero, nothing, signifying how it begins from nothingness as well as ‘Open Free Ready’. They produce their own photography books and travel books, discover new artists and hold exhibitions like an incubator. Ofr. Seoul is located in Seongsu-dong and is operated with the concept store Mirabelle. Go past the familiar streets and walk up steep stairs to find yourself in middle of Paris.

Full of art books and posters as well as small items and fabric products from Paris

Art books and posters that are sold in Mirabelle X Ofr. are all from the Paris main store. There are also cushions, bags, and items that are made with the fabrics brought from Paris by the owner of the store. Just looking around the place is a joy. If you have enough time, drop by the Momento Brewers on the first floor and enjoy Australian coffee as well as the standing bar coffee culture.

Address: 2nd floor, 19-18, Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Tel. 010-2899-9357
Opening hours: 13:00~19:00, Mondays and Tuesdays closed

Still Books, dreaming of becoming Korea’s Tsutaya bookstore

The 1st floor with the bookshelf full of Magazine Bs and the exhibition of June 2019 brands is impressive

There is a paper magazine which millennials are raving about; it’s Magazine B, also nicknamed ‘magazine without ads’ and ‘documentary magazine’. And the people who create Magazine B have opened a bookstore. It’s Still Books, located in Sounds Hannam, a complex cultural space in Hannam-dong. It’s called the Korean Tsutaya bookstore as it not only sells books but also lifestyle. Here you will be able to see some edition of the previous Magazine B issues that are sold out elsewhere.

Still Books sells curated books and items that go well with them.

Still Books is consisted of 5 floors, from B1 to 4th floor with each floor having a different theme. B1 is for children’s book club and cafe, 1st floor for magazines, 2nd floor for lifestyle and work, 3rd floor for art and design, and 4th floor for thoughts and human oriented books. Each floor has the shelf titled ‘Still Favorites’, filled with great books selected by the curator which are worth multiple reads. They also hold cultural events called Still Club; keep tabs on Still Books SNS to get updated.

Address: 35, Daesagwan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Tel. 02-749-5005
Opening hours: 12:00~21:30, Mondays closed

Arc and Book, blurring the boundary between bookstores and restaurants

Arc and Book’s symbol, the arch shaped ‘book tunnel’ is created with all original English books.

You are probably familiar with the photo of this ‘book tunnel’, as it is the interior of the sharing platform specialized company OTD Corporation’s Arc and Book. Arc and Book is a complex cultural space that combines a bookstore and lifestyle stores; it’s operated alongside OTD Corporation’s select dining brand, District C. Its foremost trait is that it blurs the boundary between bookstores and restaurants.

Shelves disyplay items related to books, stimulating readers’ imagination.

Arc and Book is located at the center while District C F&B stores are surrounding it. You can take the books you have been reading into the restaurants without a problem. Interesting book corner introduction sentences, the interior and items displayed here and there will nudge people to experience the space itself, as they will be stimulated to post pictures of what they see and do here. There are also shelves collaborated with various genres and brands, and many different types of experience events including book talks and classes. It’s worth a visit, come and look around as if you’re going on a picnic.

Address: B1F, 29, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Tel. 070-8822-4728
Opening hours: 10:00~22:00