Lately, I’ve been devouring self-help books like there’s no tomorrow—hello, quarter-life crisis, is that you? But amidst the sea of endless advice and existential pep talks, I stumbled upon a true gem that stands out from the rest: ‘Welcome to Hyunam-Dong Bookshop.’
Let me tell you, in a world where everyone seems to have a 10-step plan for inner peace, this book is like a warm, soothing cup of tea on a stormy day—comforting, charming, and unexpectedly just what I needed. And maybe, just maybe, it can help you too! (Hopefully).
What is ‘Welcome to Hyunam-Dong Bookshop’ About?
‘Welcome to Hyunam-Dong Bookshop’ by Hwang Bo-reum is a heartfelt slice-of-life novel that draws readers into a quaint neighborhood bookshop in Seoul, South Korea. The story revolves around Yeongju, a woman who has checked all the right boxes—a university degree, a respectable job, and a decent husband. Despite these achievements, she finds herself dissatisfied and overwhelmed. In a decisive move to reclaim her life, Yeongju quits her high-pressure job, ends her marriage, and opens a bookshop, fulfilling a dream she had set aside.
Within the walls of her new bookshop, the novel introduces a variety of characters, each finding their own refuge. From a lonely barista and an unhappy housewife to a writer inspired by Yeongju’s bravery, the bookshop becomes a healing ground for those wounded by life’s disappointments.
Hwang Bo-reum’s ‘Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop’ is a narrative that celebrates the transformative power of books and the newfound courage to embrace life’s second chances. It’s a warm, engaging tale that resonates deeply with readers, evident from its impressive sales of over 110,000 copies in just five months. This story beautifully illustrates how a simple change in setting can help us find comfort and acceptance in our lives.
NOT A REVIEW: Unsolicited Thoughts on ‘Welcome to Hyunam-Dong Bookshop’
I couldn’t remember the last time I was so hooked on a book that I found it difficult to put down. Welcome to Hyunam-Dong Bookshop gave off such warmth and comfort that I almost highlighted everything on every page—the way we did with our textbooks when we crammed, thinking each word was so important that it might come out in the test.
I remember one dear friend who stopped reading self-help books saying, “I’ve been following people’s orders all my life. I don’t need another book to tell me what to do.” True, some books can come off as preachy. But this one weaves words so fluently that it’s difficult to not take them to heart—like an epiphany while talking to a friend or lazing around while witnessing a captivating sunset.
Come to think of it, we resort to reading books to find stories that bring comfort and provide a pat on the shoulder. We look for characters we can relate to—and somehow try to find answers to questions that have persistently lingered in our heads.
Exploring themes of mental health, the challenges of life, and the quest for purpose, Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop exudes a similar vibe to those countryside K-dramas like Summer Strike, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, and Welcome to Samdal-ri. It resonates with the shared message found in Satoshi Yagisawa’s Days at the Morisaki Bookshop—generational trauma, unsuccessful marriages, divorce, social hierarchies, and societal expectations.
There’s so much going on in this book— gradually revealing each piece in every chapter at a leisurely pace. It stands true to its message: to live in the moment. As Mr. Keating from Dead Poets Society would say, “Seize the day.”
What I really like about this book is that it’s happy, it’s sad, and most importantly, reflects the day-to-day life of ordinary people— something we can hold onto as a reminder that everything will turn out well in time.
Quotes from ‘Welcome to Hyunam-Dong Bookshop’
While reading ‘Welcome to Hyunam-Dong Bookshop,’ I felt like the book was giving me a warm hug, acknowledging everything I’ve been experiencing lately. It resonated so deeply that I was tempted to highlight almost every passage. Despite that urge, I managed to pick out some of my favorite quotes to share with you. Here they are:
The worst thing was having to act like I was fine when I wasn’t. I cried every night, feeling so sorry for myself for not being able to speak of my pain. I wonder if things would have turned out differently, if I could have been like you, sitting there and letting go of everything else. The tears wouldn’t stop, but you know, when we feel like crying, we should let it out. Forcing them back only makes the wounds heal slower.
Every one of us is like an island; alone and lonely. It’s not a bad thing. Solitude sets us free, just as loneliness brings depth to our lives. In the novels I like, the characters are like isolated islands. In the novels I love, the characters used to be like isolated islands, until their fates gradually intertwined; the kind of stories where you whisper, ‘You were here?’ and a voice answers, ‘Yes, always.’ You think to yourself: I was a little lonely, but because of you, I’m less alone. It’s a wonderful feeling and the book in your hands gives me a taste of that joy.
You need rest to work, and to rest, you need a certain level of income to live comfortably.
Forgiving forward with the answer you have—stumbling along the way and picking yourself up—only to one day realize that the answer you’ve held on to for a long time is not the right one. When that happens, it’s time to look for the next answer. That’s how ordinary folks, like herself, live. Over our life span, the answer will keep changing.
As with everything in life, reading is about the right timing.
Silence could also be a form of consideration—that it was possible to be comfortable without needing to fill the silence.
Do you think there’s a meaning to life? I don’t think there is. That’s why people try to make sense of their own. In the end, everyone’s life is different, according to the meaning they find.
Too much of something—no matter how enjoyable—turns into a chore. Or if it was something she dreaded in the first place, torture.
To read is to see things from someone else’s perspective, and that naturally leads you to stop and look out for other people, rather than chase after success in the rat race. If more people read, I think the world would become a better place.
Books are not meant to remain in your mind, but in your heart. Maybe they exist in your mind too, but as something more than memories. At a crossroads in life, a forgotten sentence or a story from years ago can come back to offer an invisible hand and guide you to a decision.
While the quality of the beans is important, the barista’s skills also make a huge difference in the taste of the coffee.
His simple life—yoga, work, movies, sleep—was starting to feel like a well-put-together routine. perhaps, life was enough as it was.
What propels life forward are decisions.
I was just not interested in becoming a doctor, or lawyer, or anything else. Neither did I want to be successful or famous. I just wanted a stable life.
Dreams aren’t everything.
Just because you’ve achieved your dreams doesn’t mean you’ll always be happy.
That said, the problem is that our society is too obsessed with work, and working takes away too many things from us. It’s like we surface from the depths of work to get a breather, only to feel thoroughly spent. And when we return home after a long workday, we no longer have energy for leisure time or hobbies.
Many people quit not because they want to. Maybe they are unwell or suffering emotionally.
But does everyone really need something interesting? Why can’t I live a mundane life? I don’t get why people see a mundane life as a bad thing.
Having something you’re interested in clears the airway. It makes breathing easier, and when that happens, life seems much more bearable.
Sometimes I think about how lucky it is that I enjoy the wind. When the evening breeze blows, I thank it for clearing up the stuffiness in me and letting me breathe easier. They say hell hath no wind, so thank goodness where I am now must not be hell. If I could capture a moment like this every day, I’ll be strong enough to keep going. Humans are complex but sometimes, we can be so simple. We can be content with having some time—whether ten minutes or an hour—where I can feel. Ah, I’m so glad I’m alive, so glad to seize and enjoy this moment.
What a happy thing it was to meet a person on the same wavelength.
Whatever you do, you will face challenges. Even if it’s not a bookshop, you’ll fret over whatever business you’re starting; if you work for a company, that comes with its own set of worries too. In the end, it boils down to this: what kind of work do I want to do, despite all the worries?
To find happiness, do what you enjoy. All of you should find something you enjoy doing, something that makes you excited. Instead of pursuing what is recognized and valued by society, do what you like. If you can find it, you’ll not waver easily, no matter what others think. Be brave.
Doing what you like doesn’t guarantee happiness. Unless you’re also in an excellent environment, then maybe. Sometimes, it’s the environment that’s more important. If you’re in an ill-suited environment, what you enjoy can become something you want to give up. What I’m saying is, not everyone fits into the mold of finding happiness just by discovering what they like. That’s too simplified, not to mention naïve.
Life is too complicated and expansive to be judged solely by the career you have. You could be unhappy doing something you liked, just as it was possible to do what you didn’t like but derive happiness from something entirely different. Life is mysterious and complex. Work plays an important role in life, but it isn’t solely responsible for our happiness or misery.
Just try something out, and who knows, you might find joy in it. It might be something you stumble upon but end up wanting to do for life. Who knows? Nobody knows what’ll happen unless you try. Instead of agonizing over what you should do, think about putting effort into whatever you’re doing. It’s more important to try your best in whatever you do, no matter how small it may seem. All your effort will add up to something.
I’m having fun now. That’s enough and isn’t this what life is about?
A life surrounded by good people is a successful life. It might not be a success as defined by society, but thanks to the people around you, each day is a successful day.
I wanted to write what I wanted to read. Stories of people who find their own pace and direction, of people who believe in others and wait by their side as they go through difficult times, lost in worry. Stories of that bring comfort, providing a pat on the shoulder for those who’ve lost the joy in life, having pushed themselves too hard to do well.
Dakilanglaagan 