Bookstore founded by Nobel laureate Han Kang closes its doors after eight years

An independent bookstore founded by Nobel Prize-winning author Han Kang temporarily closed on Wednesday after eight years in business. 

“Onul Books is serving customers for the last time on July 7, exactly three years after opening its doors in an alley in Tongui-dong […] following its move from Yangjae-dong,” the bookstore wrote on Instagram on June 20.

Onul Books first opened in Yangjae-dong in Seocho District, southern Seoul, in September 2018 before relocating to Seochon in Jongno District, central Seoul, in July 2023.

“Renting and renovating a space of just about 10 pyeong [355.8 square feet], then filling it with light, bringing in books, meeting readers, introducing a ‘writer’s bookshelf’ each season and hosting readings and workshops with people made this an especially meaningful chapter for us,” the bookstore wrote.

“We began preparing [to open our doors] in earnest in July 2018 and started operations that September. As we reach our eighth anniversary, we have decided to pause [the bookstore’s] journey for now.”

Onul Books said that it has yet to decide when or where to reopen.

Han personally curated the bookstore’s selections in its early years and had an active role in planning literary events. However, the store later announced on social media that she was no longer involved in its day-to-day operations.

She stepped down as CEO of Onul Books in August 2021 but has reportedly remained on the board as an internal director.

The bookstore was previously forced to temporarily suspend operations in October 2024 after Han was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, as crowds of visitors flooded the small space.

BY KIM JI-HYE [[email protected]]