Finding solace in stories

South Korean author Hwang Bo-Reum on how a small bookstore became a sanctuary for her—and for thousands of readers

- JESSICA PAG-IWAYAN

In the middle of life’s relentless pace, whether in bustling cities or quiet towns, books offer a rare sanctuary, a place to pause and breathe. This is the very comfort thousands of readers worldwide discovered in the Korean literary sensation, “Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop.” Written by Hwang Bo-Reum, the novel doesn’t just tell the story of a small neighborhood bookstore—it soothes its readers much like the characters it heals.

As part of the ongoing Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) 2025 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, and in partnership with National Book Store, Bo-Reum visited the Philippines and met her fans at the Korean Cultural Center in Taguig City on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2025. There, the bestselling author opened up about her life, her creative journey, and the quiet beginnings of a book that would one day resonate across the globe.

From an office worker to bestselling author

For Bo-Reum, writing was not a lifelong dream but a decision she made in her early 30s. Prior to becoming a writer, she studied computer science and worked as a software engineer in Seoul, South Korea.

“I didn’t have a specific motivation,” she admitted. “I simply decided I wanted to be a writer and began writing every day.” That commitment—small but steady—eventually led her to publish her first novel, though it began with modest expectations.