Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
I started this book thinking I would be just reading Yeongju's story, but I did not expect that I would end up finding bits and pieces of myself between the pages. As you read Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, you might think that their stories are not too special, but that's the whole charm of this book — you come to learn more about life in general through simply being an imperfect human. This book serves as a good reminder that it's okay to rest when you’re tired and to pursue a different path when the usual one is no longer fulfilling. Personally, I feel like I'm just like everyone else in the book, trying to figure out how to live life better. The characters in this book may have different stories to tell, but they convey the same personal struggles that most people experience at least once in their lives. It’s comforting to know that, in this vast space, we are not alone in our emotions. Reading this book felt like a warm hug, and I will definitely find myself returning to it whenever I need a reminder of what truly matters in life ❤️
Yeongju is burned out. With her high-flying career, demanding marriage, and bustling life in Seoul, she knows she should feel successful—but all she feels is drained. Haunted by an abandoned dream, she takes a leap of faith and leaves her old life behind. Quitting her job and divorcing her husband, Yeongju moves to a quiet residential neighborhood outside the city and opens the Hyunam-dong Bookshop.
The transition isn’t easy. For months, all Yeongju can do is cry. But as the long hours in the shop stretch on, she begins to reflect on what makes a good bookseller and a meaningful store. She throws herself into reading voraciously, hosting author events, and crafting her own philosophy on bookselling. Gradually, Yeongju finds her footing in her new surroundings.
Surrounded by friends, writers, and the books that bind them, Yeongju begins to write a new chapter in her life. The Hyunam-dong Bookshop evolves into a warm, welcoming haven for lost souls—a place to rest, heal, and remember that it’s never too late to scrap the plot and start over.