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Seoul Libraries | List Of Libraries In Seoul Seen In K-Dramas

Starfield Library isn't the only library in Seoul! An overview of Seoul libraries, featured in K-Dramas!

yeong
4 years ago

list of libraries in seoul seen in kdrama, what's wrong with secretary kim

There are all sorts of cool spots in and around Seoul. Today, we're going to be talking about libraries.

When you think grand libraries, maybe you'll have the COEX Starfield Library in mind. But there are so many more awesome libraries to be found in Seoul, including those that are social media worthy or were featured in K-dramas.


COEX Starfield Library

Address: B1, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Hours: 10:30-21:00

Directions: Samsung Station exit 5/exit 6, inside COEX

Seoul korea library, coex starfield, people sitting and reading inside

If you head over to B1 COEX from Samsung Station, you'll arrive at the first Seoul library, Starfield Library. There are over 10,000 books available for anybody to read. 

Seoul korea library, coex starfield

The Starfield Library is always packed, so I recommend arriving sometime around the opening time (10:30) on weekdays.

Seoul korea library, coex starfield, people sitting inside

There's an escalator next to the library, from which you can take pictures of the library from multiple angles. Perfect social media post right there.

Seoul korea library, coex starfield, people sitting inside

Check out COEX's SMTOWN after you're done with the library. It's a must for K-POP fans.


Book Park Blue Square

Address: 294 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Hours: Tue-Sun 11:00-22:00

Directions: Hangangjin Station (line 6) exit 2

Itaewon Seoul library, book park blue square

Book Park, made famous by the K-drama Chicago Typewriter, has shelves upon shelves of books and a three-story high ceiling. 

Itaewon Seoul library, book park blue square, bookshelves inside

I recommend visiting Book Park during the day. Leaf through books with the sunlight pouring through the large windows and take pictures of the books on display. 

Itaewon Seoul library, book park blue square

Compared to the loud and bustling Starfield Library or the super organized Arc.N.Book, Book Park is calmer and grander. 

Itaewon Seoul library, book park blue square, bookshelves

Overall, the irregular colors surrounding the shelves make for great Insta photos.

Itaewon Seoul library, book park blue square, bookshelves

There are books galore on each floor, which almost make you feel like you're walking through time and space. Just like in Chicago Typewriter. You're going to want to stay here forever.

Itaewon Seoul library, book park blue square, bookshelves


Paju Forest of Wisdom

Address: 145 Hoedong-gil, Gyoha-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do

Hours:
Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00
Sat-Sun 10:00-20:00

Seoul Libraries, people inside Paju Forest Of Wisdom

Perhaps not as famous as the libraries introduced above, the Forest of Wisdom is still sought out by locals for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and movie-like interior.

Paju Forest Of Wisdom, Seoul libraries

The Forest of Wisdom has tens of thousands of books donated by Korean publishers, and is also a coffee shop. Even if you're not an avid book reader, you're going to be inspired to pick up a book once you're here. 

bookshelves in Paju Forest Of Wisdom, seoul library

Paju Forest Of Wisdom, bookshelves inside, seoul library

The floor-to-ceiling bookshelves are all filled with books, all grandly organized. You can read any of the books, but only while within the library. 

people sitting and reading in Paju Forest Of Wisdom

The K-Drama What's Wrong With Secretary Kim was shot at the Forest of Wisdom.

I recommend you finish your shopping spree at the Paju Outlet and come over to the Forest of Wisdom to take some amazing photos (and read a book).

Paju Forest Of Wisdom in what's wrong with secretary kim kdrama


Seoul Book Bogo

Address: 1 Ogeum-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Hours:
Tue-Fri: 11:00-20:00
Sat-Sun: 10:00-20:00
Public Holiday: 10:00-20:00
Closed: January 1, Lunar New Year, Chuseok.

Directions: Jamsillaru Station Exit 1

songpa library seoul book bogo

It became popular thanks to the Korean drama Hotel Del Luna. It has a very unique design that you'll probably find very impressive.

seoul book bogo library in hotel del luna kdrama

When you walk in, you will feel that it is really a library, and everyone inside is very serious about finding and reading books. If you're here to take pictures, be careful not to bother others.

seoul book bogo library in songpa

seoul book bogo library in songpa


Songpa Book Museum

Address: 서울 송파구 송파대로 37길 77
77 Songpa-daero 37-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Entrance Fee: Free

Hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed: Mon, public holidays

Directions: Seokchon Station Exit 6


exterior of seoul songpa book museum

You'll find Songpa Book Museum beside a new apartment complex and minutes from Seokchon Market.

looking down at songpa book museum main hall

songpa book museum main hall with people browsing around

When you first step in, you'll walk into a large hall with a comfortable wooden design.

The stair-like seats are perfect for picking up a book and getting to it right away as well as for hosting book-related events.

looking up at the stair-like seating areas in the main hall of songpa book museum

songpa book museum interior with glass windows

book shelves with seatings built in between at songpa book museum

There were not events happening on my visit, but I was able to capture locals and children freely browsing and reading books.

wooden bookshelves with yellow seats built in between at songpa book museum

yellow shelves and chairs with computers at songpa book museum

Upstairs you'll find the media library with touches of yellow. You can watch movies and video clips here on desktop computers and iPads.

songpa book museum entrance of the permanent exhibition

books displayed at the permanent exhibition of songpa book museum

The permanent exhibition explores the past, present and future of books. It'll take you back in time all the way to Joseon Dynasty.

old korean book displayed at the permanent exhibition of songpa book museum

an olden day's bookshelf displayed at the permanent exhibition of songpa book museum

desk from the olden days displayed at the permanent exhibition of songpa book museum

It explores the past of books and reading.

You'll find Sookhyangjeon, a classic Korean novel from the 17th century as well as furniture from the olden times like desks and bookshelves. 

memorizing scriptures from joseon dynasty shown at the permanent exhibition of songpa book museum

You can try out a couple of things at the exhibition too! The photo above is me trying out Gyeongseotong, a container for memorizing scriptures.

They wrote down phrases they need to memorize, put them in the container and carried it around to study on the go.

The one I got was 월광독서, roughly meaning even when one is poor to the point of relying on moonlights instead of candle lights, studying needs to be done diligently. It sounds like something my mom would say.

a thick book open and displayed at the permanent exhibition of songpa book museum

a display at the permanent exhibition showing modern-day history of Korean books

The second space of the exhibition shows the present days of books and reading!

You can see the overall trends of books and how Korean authors get their books published.

It'll be an interesting one to check out for those who love books regardless of the language the books are written in.

a book surrounded by loads of floating paper

I personally think this is the coolest space at Songpa Book Museum.

It feels like a scene from a K-pop music video! Definitely pose for a photo or two here.

room layouts of Korea's famous authors

The above photos show brainstorming notes of mystery thriller author Jeong You-jeong's. You can see how much thinking and planning she does before writing her mysteries.

publisher and planner's rooms at the permanent exhibition of songpa book museum

Here, you can see rooms of publishers' and designers' and really feel how much work and effort of many go in before a book is born.

book printing tool

printing presses displayed at songpa book museum

The next section is about typography.

The first lead-type letterpress print was first made in Joseon in 1436. It was not successful in commercialization then and Germany later started using it widely.

me trying out letterpress printing at songpa book museum in seoul

songpa book museum in seoul prints

You can try out letterpress printing at the museum too! I was happy they came out so beautiful.

Be sure to do a couple to take home as souvenirs.

lockers at songpa book museum

Lastly, they have lockers for you to store heavy items so you can browse around more freely.


Library Locations

Itaewon: Book Park

Sinsadong/Gangnam: Starfield Library 

Paju: Forest of Wisdom

Jamsil: Seoul Book Bogo, Songpa Book Museum

Check out some of these amazing libraries if you can fit it into your Seoul itinerary.


This blog post is about Seoul Libraries. If you have questions about information not covered in the blog post, please email us at support@creatrip.com


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