South Korea has launched its first rural "bookstore village" in Daesan-myeon, located within the GoChang-gun region of North Jeolla Province [1].
The project represents a strategic attempt to revitalize rural areas by transforming a farming community into a cultural destination. By blending commerce with residential living, the village aims to attract book-loving travelers and foster a sustainable community for independent business owners.
The village consists of six themed independent bookstores [1]. These shops are clustered together and share a communal garden, creating a centralized hub for visitors. A distinctive feature of the development is the "bookstay" model, where the bookstore owners live in residential spaces located directly behind their shops [1].
This cultural cluster opened in October of last year [2]. The timing and design were intended to create a unique destination in an area otherwise noted for its watermelon production [1]. The village serves as both a retail space and a sanctuary for readers seeking a retreat from urban environments.
To maintain engagement with the public, the village hosts cultural events. A weekend book concert featuring author Kim Tak-hwan was scheduled to draw visitors to the site [1]. These events are designed to integrate the bookstores into the broader regional tourism circuit.
Visitors have noted the unique layout of the village. Song Jeong-hui, a resident of Seosin-dong in Jeonju, said the gathering of independent bookstores is unique and provides a space for healing [1].
“Korea’s first rural “bookstore village” consists of six themed independent bookstores.”
The creation of a bookstore village in GoChang-gun reflects a broader trend in South Korea to combat rural depopulation through 'cultural migration.' By incentivizing creative entrepreneurs to establish residential-commercial hybrids, the region is shifting from a purely agricultural economy toward a service-and-tourism model based on intellectual and aesthetic appeal.
