Nobel laureate Han Kang's bookstore to close amid gentrification

The independent bookstore 'Bookstore Today,' established by acclaimed author Han Kang, is set to close on July 7, marking the end of its eight-year run. The bookstore announced on Instagram that its final day of operation at its current location would be July 7, exactly three years after it relocated to the Seochon Tongui-dong alley.

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Bookstore Today will have its last business day in this space on July 7, 2026, exactly three years after moving to the alley in Tongui-dong, Seochon.

'Bookstore Today' initially opened in Yangjae-dong in September 2018, later moving to Jongno in 2023. The space, described as a little over 10 pyeong (approximately 33 square meters), was leased, renovated, and filled with books. The store hosted various events, including readings and workshops, and curated shelves by authors.

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The bookstore was a meaningful time where we could welcome customers with books, introduce 'Author's Shelf' every season, and hold readings and workshops with wonderful people.

Han Kang, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in October 2024, had a known affection for the independent bookstore. She was directly involved in its curation and organized events featuring other authors. In a 2016 interview, she expressed a desire to run a small independent bookstore on the outskirts of Seoul if she couldn't write.

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If I couldn't write, I would want to run a small independent bookstore on the outskirts of Seoul.

Following her Nobel win, the bookstore saw a surge in visitors. However, the store's management had to clarify that Han Kang was no longer involved in its daily operations after November 2024. The bookstore stated it was closing due to 'circumstances related to the building,' but reports indicate the building was sold, leading to increased property values due to heightened public interest following the Nobel Prize. This situation highlights how even a Nobel laureate's venture is not immune to South Korea's brand of gentrification.

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The bookstore was a place where one's heart felt full after slowly browsing the shelves filled with the author's handwritten curation and warm recommendations.