Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum; translated by Shanna Tan
Themes:Â
Overlap of global themes and the Korean society - Burnout, work, divorce, family, relationships, drive and motivation.
Unique to Korean society - (Not) fitting into societyâs expectations and taboo topics e.g. being in a âlaid backâ job post-graduation, divorceÂ
Synopsis:Â
This story follows Lee Yeongjuâs courageous journey in rediscovering herself after a divorce. She decides to open a neighbourhood bookstore, âThe Hyundam-Dong Bookshopâ, which becomes a sanctuary for its employees and residents.
We meet Minjun, unable to find a âcorporateâ job, unlike most Korean graduates, he becomes a barista for the bookshop. Jimi, the coffee roaster, needs to stop tolerating her husbandâs bad behaviours. Jingsuh, a crocheter, has had others taking credit for her work. Having not been given a permanent position (despite years of service), she recently stands up for herself by quitting her job. Mincheol is a teenager who appears unmotivated, and Hyun Seongwoo, an author who runs seminars at the bookstore. Each character is trying to navigate lifeâs different challenges. Lastly, Yeongju may find herself in love again.Â
Commentary:
This story follows Yeongju and the residents of Hyunam-Dong. Yeongju decides to open a bookstore after a divorce.Â
This book gives an insight into the societal norms and expectations of South Korean society. For instance, these themes are explored - the South Korean workplace culture, having a âstableâ corporate/civil servant job after graduation, studying hard, pleasing parents and how divorce is frowned upon in the society.Â
The workplace culture is portrayed as quite harsh per Jingsuhâs experience. She is not a permanent staff member despite years of service and worse, her manager authorised a permanent staff to take credit for Jingsuhâs work. However, we also see the other side of the workplace culture in Yeongju, where Minjunâs presence as the barista helps her stay motivated to keep the bookstore running. She shows accountability as an employer to her employee. I also really like how hard Yeongju works to come up with interesting events for the bookstore such as the social media posts, the writing seminars and a bookclub. It is a bonus when Jingsuh decides to donate her crochet creations for the bookstore giveaway.Â
In the book, Minjun, Mincheol and even Yeongjuâs stories speak about pleasing oneâs parents. Minjuâs parents want him to get a âstableâ, civil service or corporate job, Micheolâs mum wants him to study hard and Yeongjuâs mum is angry at her for getting a divorce. These characters rise above the societal expectations, and instead of pleasing their parents, they find themselves and do what is right for themselves.
The book also depicts getting a âstable jobâ post graduation as a societal expectation. I donât necessarily think that this is just unique to Korean society, but perhaps it is something that is common worldwide.Â
I especially like Minjunâs story, where he realises that part of growing up is making your own decisions and having your own path. Despite getting hounded by his worrying mum with his choice of becoming a barista, he does not back down. He realises that the Korean analogy about âbuttoning up oneâs shirtâ is not entirely realistic. It speaks about how one may just go on about life, following the path set by society, but fails to consider other external circumstances which may impact the outcome of what one has been working towards. So, when Minjun realises that what he has been working towards is perhaps not achievable then, or that âhis shirt has no buttonsâ, he changes his shirt. In other words, he decides to focus on what will work and is achievable for him.
Additionally, the chapter âHow we view workâ, where Minjun is outspoken, serves as a reflection for us to rethink work, the rat-race and consider what truly matters in life. This particular chapter reminds me of some social media posts that I have seen where some share about their â9-5 and 5-9â life. They may appear to illustrate âproductivityâ, but in my opinion, if that lifestyle is the norm for them, it will eventually lead to burnout.Â
As for Jimi, her story speaks about being courageous. She has been putting up with her husbandâs unacceptable behaviours for some time and no longer has reasons to make up excuses for it. She gives a lot of thought in deciding to leave a marriage that has not been working out for some time. Whilst divorce happens around the world, depending on where you are, it may be frowned upon.Â
Finally, the story explores the possibility of finding new love, where Yeongju and Mr Seminar (Hyun Seongwoo) find a connection with each other.Â












