Insuni, Jeong Hoseung, and Lee Hyunse Book Concerts
Jeonseongsu District Mayor: "Creating a K-Reading Culture Landmark Street"
The 510-meter stretch of Banpo-daero from Seocho-dong National Library of Korea to Seorae Park will be filled entirely with ‘books.’
Seocho-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) will hold the reading culture event ‘May Booknic’ on the 25th from 1 PM at Seocho Book Street (National Library of Korea to Seorae Park). The event is richly organized so that various reading programs can be enjoyed like a picnic.
In front of the main building of the National Library of Korea, a book concert, book market, book playground, and performances will take place. At the lawn ‘Book Concert,’ veteran cartoonist Lee Hyun-se, who has been actively working for 50 years, will evoke nostalgia with his work ‘You Are a Magpie,’ and the representative lyrical poet Jeong Ho-seung will also share a warm emotional moment.
The ‘Seoripul Reading Golden Bell’ for families with preschool children and first- and second-grade elementary students will have children compete with the knowledge and wisdom they have gained from books. The independent bookstore ‘Choi In-ah Bookstore’ will also participate, preparing unique programs such as a signing event with authors Lee Na-young and Park So-yeon of ‘Constipation Detective Silrook,’ an original illustration exhibition, and Willa audiobook experiences.
By following the library’s social media (SNS), visitors can receive over 5,000 books including past magazines at the 5,000-book market, and a book playground using 2,000 used books has also been set up. Various performances such as magic and bubble shows, flea markets, and experience booths can be found throughout the plaza.
Along the street leading to Seorae Park, themed book exhibitions from 12 local bookstores will be displayed. If visitors purchase these books and return them at the next Booknic event in June, they will receive a 100% refund of the purchase amount. This is combined with the ‘Seocho Book Payback’ service, introduced in 2019 as the first of its kind among local governments nationwide to promote coexistence with local bookstores. The service will also be available on-site during the event day.
Additionally, at Seorae Park, there will be a book concert and signing event by singer Insooni, who has transformed into a picture book author with two books, ‘Hello Haena’ and ‘Some Journey.’ There will also be a reading coaching session by voice actress Seo Hye-jung, famous for the X-Files character ‘Scully,’ and unique experiences and exhibitions prepared by independent bookstore Cooldiga, including book tarot consultations from YouTube channel Bookchunam TV.
Meanwhile, last month, the district designated this street as ‘Book Street,’ a specialized reading culture street where culture, art, and books harmonize, by linking the National Library of Korea, local libraries, bookstores, and various associations. The district plans to continue seasonal and themed reading culture programs here in June, September, and October.
Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “I hope families enjoy an intellectual picnic by reading and walking along Seocho Book Street,” adding, “We will make it a representative K-reading culture street where reading becomes culture through various programs.”
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