21 Sep | Written by Hailey Ng
Some books find you right when you need them, and Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop did that for me.
This story follows Yeongju, a woman healing from a divorce and corporate burnout. She pours her remaining energy and her love for books into opening a small, cosy bookshop in Hyunam-Dong.
Slowly, the shop becomes a refuge for others who, like her, carry their own invisible burdens. Through their shared moments, they begin to heal, little by little. Reading it felt like stepping into the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop myself. I found myself rooting for every character — hoping for their healing, celebrating their small victories, and feeling deeply connected to their search for peace.
The beauty of the book lies in its simplicity. There’s no dramatic climax, no shocking twists. Instead, it reflects life as it often is — slow, steady, and uncertain. The author does an excellent job turning simple everyday moments into thoughtful reflections on self-worth, happiness, and societal expectations.
Reading this book made me feel seen in a way that I hadn’t quite expected. I found the characters’ experiences so intimately familiar that I constantly found myself nodding along with certain passages. It felt as if the book was voicing the struggles I’ve carried for so long — those feelings of being lost, weighed down by guilt, and disconnected from myself — things I haven’t been able to put into words.
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop also explores happiness and success without the typical pressures of society. The characters are always searching, always questioning what it truly means to live a fulfilling life. One of my favourite moments is when Yeongju reflects, “Over our life span, the right answer will keep changing.” That brought me such calm. A little reminder that joy evolves as we do — there’s really no perfect answer, no single path.
Perhaps the greatest comfort I found was the characters’ acceptance of small steps forward. The book is full of moments where characters embrace the slow, steady process of moving forward, even without having all the answers. Like them, I’ve often pressured myself to have everything mapped out, but this book reminded me that progress doesn’t always have to be grand. Growth can also come in the form of finding peace in the present, not constantly chasing some distant ideal.
In many ways, this book was the reminder I needed — that it’s okay to be uncertain, to focus on the small routines that bring peace, and to trust that my path is valid, even if it looks different from what I once expected. It’s a gentle nudge to give myself grace and keep moving forward, even if the steps are small.
Ultimately, Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop is the kind of story that stays with you long after the last page. It doesn’t ask for much but leaves you with so much more than expected — at least, it did for me. If you’re seeking a story that offers introspection over high-paced action and want to feel understood in the messiness of life, this book is definitely worth picking up!
And whether or not you decide to give this book a read, here are a few gentle reminders that might bring you comfort, no matter where you are on your journey:
- Prioritise your peace: Surround yourself with spaces and activities that make you feel positive, whole, and loved.
- Let go of rigid expectations: Your definition of success and happiness will evolve. It’s okay to change direction; it’s okay to not have all the answers.
- Choose your battles: Pick challenges that are worth facing.
- Solitude brings depth: Use time alone to really listen to yourself — it’s where the most honest reflection and personal growth happen.
P.S. A heartfelt thanks to the author, Hwang Bo-Reum. This is such a beautifully written debut novel — it’s hard to believe it’s your first! And a special thanks to Shanna Tan for translating the book from Korean to English — it’s because of you that I got to experience such a gem of a story.
MY FAVOURITE QUOTES
This was the first fiction novel that got me pausing and highlighting so much. Here are a few of those that truly touched me — perhaps they’ll help you understand why this book spoke to me so deeply:
“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. Personally, I feel like the books I’ve read led me to make the choices I’ve made in life. While I may not remember all the details, the stories continue to exert a quiet influence on me.”
“Isn’t that what life is about? Forging forward with the answer you have – stumbling along the way and picking yourself up – only to one day realise 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.”
“Is there a way that will accurately tell us whether the current moment we’re living in is harmony or dissonance? How do I tell what state I’m in now?
‘Hmm, you won’t quite know while you’re in the moment. It’s only when you look back that the answer is clear.’
‘Yeah, I know what you’re trying to say, but I’m just curious. About my life right now.’
‘How does it feel to you?’
Minjun looked conflicted. ‘I think it’s harmony, but everyone else seems to see it as dissonance.”“His simple life – yoga, work, movies, sleep – was starting to feel like a well-put-together routine. Perhaps life was enough as it was.”
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