Onul Books, an independent bookstore founded by Nobel laureate Han Kang, closes its doors in Seoul after eight years. The shop, which opened in September 2018 in the Yangjae area, later relocated to Seochon in 2023. Sources describe the bookstore as a curated space that also hosted regular literary activities, including book club meetings, reading sessions, and writing workshops, alongside seasonal initiatives such as an “author’s bookshelf.” Han stepped down as head of the bookstore in 2021 and continued involvement through the board. The store’s final day of business takes place Tuesday, with Han hosting the last reading event and meeting visitors in attendance. The bookstore’s closure follows renewed attention after Han won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2024, which brought a steady stream of visitors, including international fans, and reportedly led to crowds that contributed to the store temporarily suspending operations in 2024. The bookstore’s social media statement says its journey has come to an end “for the moment,” and that reopening plans and timing remain undecided.
Han Kang’s independent bookstore Onul Books closes in Seoul after eight years
Onul Books, an independent bookstore founded by Nobel laureate Han Kang, closes its doors in Seoul after eight years. The shop, which opened in September 2018 in the Yangjae area, later relocated to S...
- Han Kang’s independent bookstore, Onul Books, closes after eight years in Seoul.
- The store opens in September 2018 in Yangjae and relocates to Seochon in 2023.
- Onul Books runs literary events such as readings, workshops, and book clubs.
- Han steps down as head in 2021 but remains on the bookstore’s board.
- After Han’s 2024 Nobel Prize win, visitor crowds increased, and the bookstore temporarily suspended operations in 2024; reopening timing is undecided.
Korean author Han Kang’s independent bookstore, “Onul Books,” has closed its doors after eight years, Wednesday, marking the end of a literary space that had drawn devoted readers from across the country and abroad. The bookstore, which had opened in Seoul’s Yangjae neighborhood in 2018 and relocated to the city’s historic Seochon neighborhood in 2023, became known not only for its curated selection of books but also for its intimate literary programs such as a book club, reading sessions and writing classes. Han stepped down as head of the bookstore in 2021 and joined its board. “The shared sensory experience of reading together in the bookstore was truly meaningful,” Han told reporters on Tuesday at the bookstore before its last reading session with visitors. Han personally hosted the final reading event, spending time with readers who gathered to mark the closing. The bookstore had gained heightened attention after Han won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2024, drawing a steady stream of visitors, including international fans. Han attributed the closure to circumstances
1 hour agoAn independent bookstore founded by Nobel laureate Han Kang has temporarily closed after eight years. Onul Books, founded by Han in September 2018, had relocated to the quiet Seoul neighborhood of Seochon three years ago before its final day of business Tuesday. "It was a deeply meaningful time renting and renovating this space ... lighting it up, bringing in books and meeting visitors, introducing an 'author's bookshelf' every season, and holding readings and workshops with wonderful people along the way," a recent statement posted on the bookstore's social media account read. "The bookstore's journey has come to an end, for the moment, eight years after preparations (to open it) began in July 2018. When and where it will reopen remains undecided," it added. Han is known to have been fond of the bookstore, curating books and organizing events in its early stages. She reportedly stepped down as head of the bookstore in 2021 and joined its board. The bookstore had temporarily suspended operations in 2024 as crowds flooded the area following Han's Nobel Prize win.
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