[On Site] "Take a 인증샷 with a book by the Hangang"… Seoul Outdoor Libraries Crowded Amid 'Hangang Fever'

On the 20th at Gwanghwamun Outdoor Library
Crowded with citizens searching for books about the Han River
"Visiting here, I understand why Korea won the Nobel Prize"... Foreigners also impressed
Beyond a reading space, becoming a cultural platform

On the afternoon of the 20th, at the outdoor library located in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, citizens holding books by author Hangang were seen taking commemorative photos. Photo by Ji-Young Seo, Intern Reporter

"I have to take a 인증 shot holding Han Kang's book and post it on Instagram!"

Around 1 p.m. on the 20th, the outdoor library 'Gwanghwamun Book Yard' set up in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, was bustling with visitors despite the cold weather. It was packed with citizens who came to read books and families out for an outing. Some even visited specifically to see Han Kang's books.

Oh Jin-hee (28, female) from Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, said, "I heard that author Han Kang won the Nobel Prize and tried to get her books, but they were all sold out," adding, "But here, there are plenty of Han Kang's books, and I heard I could even read them for free, so I came." She continued, "This is my first time visiting a library to read a book this year," and said, "Thanks to Han Kang, I've recently become interested in reading."

Outdoor Libraries at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza, and Cheonggyecheon ... Open to All Citizens

In a corner of the outdoor library, books by author Hangang are available.
Photo by Ji-Young Seo, Intern Reporter

The Seoul Metropolitan Government recently displayed a total of 216 copies of books by Nobel Literature Prize winner Han Kang at outdoor libraries operating in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza, and Cheonggyecheon. The exhibited books include ten titles such as Han Kang's novels The Vegetarian, Human Acts, Black Deer, The Wind Blows, and Gara. Not only Han Kang's works but also various other books in the outdoor libraries are available for any citizen to read.

On that day, booth staff member Park Eun-yeop (29, female) said, "Since Han Kang won the Nobel Prize, the number of visitors to the outdoor libraries has surged," adding, "Citizens keep asking where Han Kang's books are." She hinted, "Having hard-to-find Han Kang books available seems to have increased the number of visitors even more."

Han Kang's works were displayed right in the middle of Gwanghwamun Square. The display stand, decorated with congratulatory messages for Han Kang's Nobel Literature Prize win, was crowded with numerous citizens eager to pick up her books. Citizens showed keen interest, exchanging comments like, "They have The Vegetarian here too," and "Is this the book about the May 18 Gwangju Uprising?" Next to the display stand, a line of citizens formed to take 인증 shots with Han Kang's books as the background.

"Now I understand why Korea won the Nobel Literature Prize" ... Foreigners Also Amazed

Foreign tourists are taking commemorative photos holding books by author Hangang. Photo by Ji-Young Seo, intern reporter.

Among the crowd, foreigners caught the eye. Booth staff member Park Min-jung (24, female) said, "More foreign tourists have been looking for Han Kang's books." She added, "One foreigner said, 'Now that I’ve come to this place (Gwanghwamun outdoor library), I understand why Korea won the Nobel Literature Prize,' and kept expressing admiration, saying, 'Having such a cultural space right in the heart of the city is so romantic.'"

This outdoor library, which even amazes foreigners, offers a 'city oasis' vibe with colorful bean bags, camping chairs, and tents set against the backdrop of Bugaksan Mountain. Citizens sat with family, lovers, and friends, deeply engrossed in reading with joyful expressions as if enjoying a trip. Citizens met on-site seemed to agree with Seoul City's intention to transform the Seoul outdoor libraries from mere book cultural spaces into attractive cultural platforms.

Im Seung-min (29, male), who visited the outdoor library with his girlfriend that day, said, "We came on a date, and it’s very satisfying," adding, "It feels like we traveled somewhere far away. The comfortable atmosphere makes the weekday stress disappear," expressing his intention to revisit. Choi Jin-young (39, female), who came with her 8-year-old daughter, said, "Since it’s near home, I come three or four times a week," adding, "It’s a playground for kids and a resting place for adults. I’m really grateful that such a cultural space exists in the city."

Citizens’ High Praise for the ‘Outdoor Library’... Reporter Tries It Out

Citizens reading books inside tents set up at the outdoor library caught the eye. The photo shows a reporter reading a book inside a tent. Photo by Ji-Young Seo, Intern Reporter

The reporter also decided to enjoy the outdoor library. After waiting about ten minutes, one of the fully occupied tents became available. The reporter took Han Kang's Never Let Me Go and settled in. Experiencing reading outside the building, in the open plaza where indoor libraries are usually solemn and quiet, felt fun and exciting. Under the cool autumn breeze and warm sunlight, the pages turned smoothly. Reading under the vast sky felt like a comfortable rest. At that moment, the thought of taking a 인증 shot came to mind. After several attempts, the reporter finally succeeded in taking a 'Han Kang reading 인증 shot' to upload on Instagram that day.

Citizens met on-site also expressed satisfaction with the management of the outdoor library. They all wondered how it was kept so clean despite hundreds or thousands of visitors daily. Japanese exchange student Koori (23, female) said, "It’s amazing how well it’s managed," adding, "Especially, no one steals books or items. Korean citizens’ awareness seems very high," expressing admiration.

The exhibition will continue until early next month when the outdoor library operation ends. Anyone can read the books if they remain on the shelves when visiting the outdoor library.