South Korean author Hwang Bo-Reum on how a small bookstore became a global sanctuary

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In the middle of life’s relentless pace, whether in bustling cities or quiet towns, books offer a rare sanctuary, a place to pause and breathe. This is the very comfort thousands of readers worldwide discovered in the Korean literary sensation “Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop.” Written by Hwang Bo-Reum, the novel doesn’t just tell the story of a small neighborhood bookstore—it soothes its readers much like the characters it heals.

As part of the ongoing Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) 2025 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, and in partnership with National Book Store, Bo-Reum visited the Philippines and met her fans at the Korean Cultural Center in Taguig City on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2025. There, the best-selling author opened up about her life, her creative journey, and the quiet beginnings of a book that would one day resonate across the globe.

From an office worker to best-selling author

For Bo-Reum, writing was not a lifelong dream but a decision she made in her early 30s. Prior to becoming a writer, she studied computer science and worked as a software engineer in Seoul, South Korea.

“I didn’t have a specific motivation,” she admitted. “I simply decided I wanted to be a writer and began writing every day.” That commitment—small but steady—eventually led her to publish her first novel, though it began with modest expectations.

She started “Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop” as a private project, storing drafts quietly on her laptop. Then it became available online. At first, only 20 to 30 readers encountered it as an unpublished manuscript. “I was already happy with that,” she recalled. But when the novel won a competition, everything changed. “I never imagined it would be printed as a book. For me, just knowing people could read it was enough. To see it become what it is now, my satisfaction has gone beyond what I ever expected.”

The transition from office worker to full-time writer also transformed her everyday life. She described her former routine as “passive,” dictated by work hours and superiors.

“When you’re an office worker, if there’s an annoying senior or a bad incident, that’s just your day. But as a writer, you realize every part of life can be content,” she said. Even painful experiences, she explained, could be reshaped into stories that help her move forward. “I think that’s how I learned to be more relaxed in handling things.”

Getting inspiration from everyday life

Much of her inspiration comes from ordinary moments: YouTube interviews, daily conversations, or simple observations. But the novel’s defining setting—a bookshop—came from a very personal memory.

Years ago, while working long hours as an English teacher near Gangnam Station, she often felt like she was losing herself. One day, she stumbled into a bookstore nearby. “I would spend 30 to 40 minutes there after work, almost every day, for half a year. It was the only place I felt I could breathe,” she shared.

That experience became the beating heart of Hyunam-dong Bookshop, and the haven her characters seek mirrored the refuge she once found among the shelves of books.

Her characters, particularly Minjung, remain close to her. “His wounds are still fresh. I wanted to give him the comfort he needed, to help him live a self-satisfying life,” she explained. Yeongju, another central figure, reflects “60 to 70 percent” of Bo-Reum—though she believes every writer must leave some secrets unspoken.

Though she has written essays and a novel, Bo-reum remains unsure about what’s next. “There’s a possibility I won’t write another novel,” she said candidly. “But last year in January, I suddenly had the urge again, and six months later, I finished a new one. I think it will be published in Korea next year.”

On the extinction of books and opening a bookshop

When asked about the future of books in an increasingly digital world, she smiled. “I used to read a lot of e-books, but there’s a certain charm in holding a copy. There will always be a demand for books,” she said.

Manila Bulletin Lifestyle then asked her about the idea of opening her own bookshop. She said that she would design it less as a retail space and more as a gathering point.

“Maintaining the same vibe as the Hyunam-dong Bookshop would be hard. But I’d love to hold regular book talks with authors. It would be a meaningful experience for both readers and writers,” she laughed. And as for which books she’d showcase? “I’m the owner, so I can do anything, right? I’d display my own books and essays, so everyone has to buy them,” she laughs.

Hwang Bo-Reum’s journey is as unassuming as it is inspiring: a reminder that literature often begins in quiet places—on a laptop, in a small bookstore, or in a simple decision to write every day. And just like the Hyunam-dong Bookshop itself, her story is proof that the right book at the right time can offer not only solace, but also a chance to breathe.

Fans of “Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop” can meet her at the MIBF 2025 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. You can also join her book talk from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Main Stage, and have your books signed in the National Book Store booth, Hall 3, from 4 to 5 p.m.