Daegu bookstore 'Chogorok' stages life's 'firsts' with theater and books
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- A bookstore named 'Chogorok' in Daegu, South Korea, operates as a unique cultural space where anyone can perform on its stage and find books featuring 'firsts'.
- The bookstore's name combines 'chogo' (first draft) and 'rok' (record), emphasizing themes of 'firsts', 'records', and 'theater'.
- Chogorok aims to be a complex cultural space, hosting play readings and encouraging interaction between actors and audiences, with no set closing date for its 'open run' performances.
In Daegu's Samdeok-dong, a short walk from Dongseong-ro, lies a bookstore unlike any other. Named 'Chogorok,' which merges 'chogo' (first draft) and 'rok' (record), this establishment is more than just a place to buy books; it's a stage for life's many 'firsts.' The bookstore's owner, Kim Seung-soo, a 27-year-old who fell in love with books, envisioned a space where theater and literature could coexist.
No two plays are the same, and every play begins anew each day.
Chogorok embraces three core concepts: 'firsts,' 'records,' and 'theater.' This philosophy is reflected in its curated selection, which includes debut works by independent authors, first books by globally renowned writers, and plays awaiting their premiere with audiences. Kim explains that 'no two plays are the same, and every play begins anew each day,' a sentiment that guides his book selection.
Daegu is known for its vibrant musical theater scene, hosting the Daegu International Musical Festival (DIMF). Chogorok naturally fits into this cultural landscape. It not only sells books but also provides its stage and dressing room to actors, supporting local talent who continue their passion in Daegu rather than Seoul. The bookstore hosts script reading groups, making plays more accessible, and Kim himself performs one-man shows, blurring the lines between performer and spectator.
The bookstore owner, Kim Seung-soo, who became engrossed in reading a book on public transport, eventually fell in love with books.
Since December 30th, Chogorok has been running an 'open run' performance, a theatrical term for an indefinite run without a set closing date. This invitation extends to visitors, encouraging them to experience and record their own 'firsts' within the bookstore's unique environment. Whether reading Kim's carefully selected books, enjoying a drink, or stepping onto the small stage, visitors can engage with the space as they wish. The 'play' of Chogorok has no final curtain; each day offers a new performance with new participants, a daily premiere recorded in the heart of Daegu.
The bookstore owner, Kim Seung-soo, who became engrossed in reading a book on public transport, eventually fell in love with books.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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