Reading the City: Libraries, Bookstores, Bookafe and the Living Culture of Literacy in Jeonju

 A few kilometers from my apart stands Jeonju Pyeonghwa Public Library, a building open until 10 p.m. Every floor was alive with readers from children, students, and elders, each immersed in their books. The silence was communal, not imposed; people respected it as a shared culture of reading.

The library housed thousands of titles, including English works such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and The Alchemist. I often visit this library whenever I have time. After finishing The Alchemist, I began reading Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. The atmosphere there fills me with positivity, as if the passion of other readers quietly encourages me to keep learning.

This week, I also explored two other reading havens: Kafka Book Café and Kyobo Book Centre. At Kafka Book Café, I ordered a cup of espresso and read Last Night in My Dream by Chung Han Ah, a bilingual novel written in Korean and English. I enjoyed sitting by the window, reading while watching people pass by. Before leaving, I bought a book tittled The World’s Most Expensive Novel by Kim Man Jung as a keepsake to remember the peaceful hours I spent there. I walked over 15,000 steps to reach the café from my apartment, an effort that felt worthwhile.

 

On my way to Kafka, I passed the Pungnammun Gate, a stunning relic from the Joseon Dynasty that once protected the walled city of Jeonju. Its colorful wooden eaves and solid stone foundation reflect the beauty of Korean heritage.

The next day, I visited the Kyobo Book Centre in downtown Jeonju, another 15,000-step walk. Unlike Kafka, Kyobo doesn’t serve coffee, but it offers a wide variety of books and cozy corners to sit. I found a small English section and bought Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson as another memory from Jeonju.

 

Afterward, I stopped by a nearby 7-Eleven, bought coffee, and sat outside reading 25 pages of my new book. I also visited Jeolla Gamyeong, once the provincial government office during the Joseon Dynasty. Today, it has been restored as a cultural heritage site, showcasing traditional Korean architecture.

The atmosphere in these places reflects Korea’s enduring commitment to literacy as a social value, not merely an academic goal. With an adult literacy rate exceeding 97% (OECD, 2022), reading here is embedded in everyday life, supported by libraries, bookstores, and a culture of lifelong learning.

The culture of literacy in Jeonju exemplifies deep learning in its purest sense: learning that connects mind, heart, and community. Reading is not pursued for exams but for meaning, empathy, and dialogue. Such an environment nurtures a growth mindset, where knowledge expands through curiosity and reflection.

For other nations, the Korean model reminds us that literacy flourishes when society values thinking as much as achieving, and when reading becomes not just an activity, but a rhythm of daily life. Bye :)