Friday, November 17, 2017

South Korea: Seoul: Hongdae: Picture Book Cafe for Adults


Looks like a library, but this is a picture book cafe for adults and kids too.
Feature in Variety Show 
Battle Trip Episode 22 (Sam Hammington & Sam Okyere, 2016 October)



The Visit
I just came from a long walk in Bukhansan and it started to rain in an afternoon in Seoul.  My feet are too tired to walk around the city, plus it did pour rain in an afternoon in Seoul.  Good thing, that I knew this place from Sam and Sam’s Battle Trip episode.

Upon entering, you have to select a locker to store your shoes.  Go to the counter and provide your key.  You have the option to buy a drink or pay 3000krw for 1 hour stay. And pay 200 KRW on every succeeding 5 minutes of stay.  I ended up paying 9,200 KRW (368PHP) for my stay, already with chamomile tea.  Outside food are not allowed, but they also have processed packed snacks.

On my visit, there are individuals studying at the secluded flat seating with small table nearby the window. Some couples and family with kids on the bed type cube area and some group of unnie having a meeting.

This is not a no-talking book shop, the parents are actually explaining the books to their son.  Just be mindful of the unnecessary noise.



The Books

I got 5 books from the shelves based on their illustrated covers.  Although I can’t read Hangul, you get to enjoy the illustrations from the book.  You can opt to look for the page on the original publisher and look for the story online to help you understand the story as well.

Book 1: Korean translation of Ben’s Flying Flowers by Inger M. Maier
About Emily as she tries to overcome her grief following her brother's death. As time passes, Emily finds a way to remember her brother and grows to understand that although Ben has died, her happy memories of him can continue to live on. [Reference]
Book 2: Korean translation of Les Farfelus (The Gentle Rascals) by Miguel Tanco
About the Gentle Rascals who pay attention to little things, that they talk to plants, that they laugh out loud even when they are on their own, and that they support both teams in a game… Because Gentle Rascals live slightly aside, at their own pace, and going their own way. [Reference]

Book 3: Korean translation of Jeg er Doden (I am Death), Text by Elisabeth Helland Larsen and Illustration by Marine Schneider
The book has the character named Death goes together with another book titled “I am Life”.  The two book depicts that we can’t deny that life and death are both part of this world. [Read this commendable book review of Katrine Kalleklev]

Book 4: Korean translation of "Will my mom come to the heat?" by Ayako Maruyama
About the elder sister who lost the full attention of her mom with her young brother.  She wrote her a letter and left the house.  This book also tells how a mother conveys her unchanging love to his daughter. [Reference]



Book 5: Mom is a Haenyeo - Text by Hee Young Ko, Illustration by Eva Armisen [See the book]
This is my favorite because this is one with translated version to English.  I’m interested on haenyeo stories because I went to Jeju in 2012, and been to museum dedicated to haenyeo.  The story is moving and makes haenyeo proud.

I’ll be sharing the below illustration and story lines for this moving story and thankful to the writer and illustrator who have this Korean book in English text as well. 

There are many books to choose from, they also have steps to reach the books placed on higher shelves.



Date Visited: 2017 November


How to get to Picture Book Cafe
Location: 2nd floor of 22-7 Yanghwa-ro 23-gil, Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Subway Station: Hongik Station Exit 3 (across Yeontral Park)




Summary: Autumn Itinerary for 5 days in Seoul, South Korea, 2017

Day
Places to see
Food and Restaurants
Where to Sleep
1
World Cup Park [Autumn/Bong Soo]
Seoul Forest Station [Autumn/K2]
Konkuk University [Autumn/Goblin]
Underground Market (Seoul Bus Terminal)

2
W Hand Steak [Battle Trip]
Cocoon Guest House
3
Digital Media [Best Punch]
Cocoon Guest House
4
Alver [Arirang Live]
Blute [Bok Joo]
Pork Soup Restaurant
Cocoon Guest House
5
Bupyeong Luggage Locker
Inha University [Autumn/Bok Joo]
Café Valor [Beauty Inside]
Paris Baguette
Cocoon Guest House