Nobel Laureate Han Kang's Bookstore Closes After 8 Years

Bookstore Today, an independent bookstore established by Nobel Prize-winning author Han Kang, has closed its doors after eight years. The bookstore announced on social media that its final day of operation at its current location was July 7. The timing and location for a potential reopening have not yet been determined.

Opened in Yangjae-dong in 2018, Bookstore Today later relocated to Tongui-dong in Seoul's Jongno-gu in 2023. Throughout its operation, the store hosted various events, including author readings and workshops, and featured curated selections of books.

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We will have our last day of business in this space on July 7, 2026.

Han Kang, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature, initially participated in the bookstore's curation and event planning. However, she stepped down as CEO in 2021. Following Han's Nobel Prize win in 2024, the bookstore experienced a surge in visitors, leading to temporary operational suspensions.

The closure marks the end of an era for the independent bookstore, which served as a cultural space connected to one of South Korea's most celebrated literary figures. The future of Bookstore Today remains uncertain, with no immediate plans announced for its revival.

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The time and place for reopening have not yet been decided.