WHILE STAYING in Busan for the holidays, I set out to experience some meaningful, new activities to make the most out of my visit. Some nice places to feel the joy of reading and relax are Bosu-dong Book Street, a cafe bookstore called Eternal Journey, and Busan Cinema Center Library. They offer a cozy space for visitors to sit back and recharge while reading books. Transportation services are accessible for visitors but it is recommended to rent a car to minimize the travel time.

Bookstore alley of retro sentiments in Bosu-dong

   Bosu-dong Book Street is an alley filled with numerous second-hand book retailers that has been standing for more than 70 years. This is where the trade of books initially took place after the Korean War, and it is regarded as one of the most major cultural and historical places in Busan. It initially started with a small retail store owned by a refugee couple, from Hamgyeongbuk-do, after the breakout of the Korean War in the August of 1950. At this time, Busan was South Korea’s provisional capital. As the number of people newly settling in around this area drastically increased, more book retailers filled the street. With great demand and supply for secondhand books, especially due to the lack of disposable income at the time, the street gradually developed to serve as a place that enabled lively cultural activities. However, it was dispersed by the anti-democratic government which implemented severe restrictions surrounding the sales of books. In later years, the Busan Good Book Co-operation, which consisted of liberal intellectuals, worked to grant the public access to diverse books and cultural freedom by opening a “co-operative bookstore[1].”

   Walking along the street, you can smell the intrinsic scent of books and be immersed in the unique retro aesthetic of antique retail shops. As additional bookstores settled in over recent years, it created its own unique atmosphere where old and new co-exist. Here, secondhand books and textbooks are 40% to 70% cheaper than normal retail prices and even new books are available at relatively cheaper prices.

   Bosu-dong Book Street is open to anyone as there is no admission fee. The nearest parking facility, Bo-su public parking site, is only ₩100 per 10 minutes. If you are traveling on foot, it is highly recommended to get off at Nampo or Jagalchi station, as you will walk past several markets where you can grab light snacks to enjoy on the way. 

The modern and luxurious book cafe, Eternal Journey

   Eternal Journey is a bookstore cafe at Ananti Hilton Busan. It was built only recently in 2017, so the building’s architecture has an elegant and modern aesthetic. This place offers a spacious area for visitors to read while enjoying a nice coffee and a dessert. A panoramic view of the beautiful ocean by the cafe and the luxurious atmosphere created by the charming interior make it stand out. Different from typical libraries, it is a mix between a cafe and a bookstore, providing a pleasant setting for  conversation. The cafe also serves as a venue for a range of indoor activities, from exhibitions to pop-up art studios and shops by various artists. Since it is indoors, Eternal Journey would be perfect throughout the year regardless of the weather.

   The cafe is open everyday from 10:00 to 21:00 and admission is free as visitors can read inside without having to spend money at the cafe. Parking is available on the first basement floor of Ananti Hilton and also at the nearby public parking site that is 20 minutes away. Depending on the period of the trip, you may choose to stay for a few nights at the hotel as well.

A library at the core of the film industry, Busan Cinema Center

   Busan Cinema Center is another essential destination for tourists. Its unique and artistic building with an enormous and splendid rooftop that glows at night draws the attention of many visitors. Although the Busan Cinema Center is more well known for its movie screenings, the library located on the 4th floor is also something worth visiting. The library has various genres of books available, including encyclopedias of famous film series like Studio Ghibli's movies, Harry Potter and Avatar. It looks like an ordinary library on the surface, but the books are categorized by film-related keywords such as directors, actors, and independent films. This is one of the features that makes the library special, as it embraces the unique characteristics of a film reference library through a small detail. You can find original works of many Korean films and series like D.P., All of Us Are Dead, and Along with the Gods. The library also contains a large collection of famous film screenplay books such as My Sassy Girls. This location is appropriate for those who wish to read quietly in a relaxing environment with an enchanting view of the Suyeong River.

   In a streaming room that offers access to a range of films, you can enjoy your choice of film at any time. The postcards of films with a quick response (QR) code are displayed along the walls. The QR codes on each postcard is for visitors to scan on a QR reader placed in a streaming room to watch a respective film. Once you scan the QR code on a postcard, it will automatically play. All facilities at Busan Cinema Center Library are free and accessible for anyone to enjoy.

   Admission to the library is free but the resources provided by the Busan Cinema Center Library are only available for on-site access–borrowing is not allowed. Parking is ₩1,000 for every half-hour after the first 30 minutes. The library is open from 10:00 to 19:00 every day except Monday. After visiting the library, it is highly recommended to look around the exterior of the building at night and admire the light show on the roof of the Busan Cinema Center.

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   A short trip to the world of literature within Busan would offer a great opportunity to explore the brisk autumn air of Busan and serve as a refreshing break from a bustling city. The visitors will be able to feel the beauty and value of old with the cool breeze of the air of September walking along Bosu-dong Street. Furthermore, Eternal Journey and Busan Cinema Center Library will satisfy the visitors with the experience to explore new parts of literature with access to many different genres of books and of course with Busan's greatest ocean and river view. 

[1] Bosu Book Street