Gwangju City Launches 'Han Kang Writer Book Cafe' Through Talent Donation

‘Alleyway Cultural Lounge Project’ MOU Signed
Book Cafe Design Embodies May Spirit and Humanities City Identity

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong is taking a commemorative photo after signing a design talent donation business agreement for the alleyway culture salon creation project with Yang Byeongbeom, CEO of Human Plan Architects Office, and Lim Taehyung, CEO of Plan Architects Office, in the business room of the city hall on the afternoon of the 12th. (From left: Kim Hyeongjung, Chairman of the Humanities City Gwangju Committee; Mayor Kang Gijeong; Lim Taehyung, CEO of Plan Architects Office; Yang Byeongbeom, CEO of Human Plan Architects Office) Provided by Gwangju City. Photo by Gwangju City

Gwangju City will begin its first project to commemorate author Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature, who brought global attention to the May 18 Democratization Movement, through a talent donation.

On the 12th, Gwangju City signed a ‘Talent Donation MOU for Alleyway Cultural Lounge Design Project’ with Human Plan Architects and Plan Architects at the City Hall Business Room.

The signing ceremony was attended by Mayor Kang Gi-jung, Yang Byung-beom, CEO of Human Plan Architects, Lim Tae-hyung, CEO of Plan Architects, and Kim Hyung-jung, Chair of the Humanities City Gwangju Committee (Professor at Chosun University), among others.

This agreement was made following a proposal from the architecture firms to donate their design expertise, expressing their wish to “contribute to the realization of a Nobel Prize and Humanities City in Gwangju.” The city believes that since the Nobel Prize in Literature is a joy for all citizens, creating this space through collective civic effort will make it even more meaningful.

According to the agreement, the city and the architectural firms will cooperate on the basic and detailed design of the ‘Alleyway Cultural Lounge Project,’ support for building permits, and realization of design intentions during construction. They also plan to continuously consult with organizations such as the Humanities City Gwangju Committee to shape the space.

The ‘Alleyway Cultural Lounge Project’ aims to expand the foundation of Gwangju as a humanities city and share the value of the humanities with citizens, inspired by Han Kang’s Nobel Prize in Literature.

Gwangju City noted that visitors from across the country continue to visit the locations featured in the novel “The Boy is Coming,” and, given the high level of public interest, decided to create a hub space such as a book cafe where visitors can experience Han Kang’s works and relax. The design will be completed by April, construction will begin in May, and the opening is scheduled for December.

The city expects that once the space is established, Gwangju’s city brand will be further elevated as the nation’s only “Nobel Prize City,” following the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to former President Kim Dae-jung and now Han Kang’s Nobel Prize in Literature.

Mayor Kang Gi-jung stated, “I am grateful for the design talent donation in realizing Gwangju as a city of humanities and reading,” and added, “I hope this space will allow citizens to encounter Han Kang’s works and feel the spirit of Gwangju in May 1980.”