This September, step into a world where stories feel like home. The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), invites book lovers, dreamers, and seekers of quiet joys to “Conversations with Hwang Boreum: Stories in the Bookshop”, happening from September 10–14, 2025 at the Manila International Book Festival (MIBF) and select venues.
Hwang Boreum, the Korean author behind the international bestseller “Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop”, will be in Manila to share her journey as a writer, the inspirations behind her beloved novel, and the beauty she finds in everyday life.
The five-day celebration will feature book talks, intimate conversations, and signing sessions—each one a chance to slow down, listen, and rediscover the joy of stories.
| Date | Activity | Venue | How to join |
| September 10-14, 2025 | The Bookshop | 2025 Manila International Book Fair, SMX Convention Center (Booth within the National Book Store area) | *MIBF entrance fees may apply. |
| September 11, 2025 | Conversations Pt. I (1:00PM – 4:00PM) | KCC Library,Bayani Road, Taguig City | Register through: bit.ly/StoriesInTheBookshop |
| September 12, 2025 | Conversations Pt. II (1:00PM – 4:00PM) | SURP, University of the Philippines, Diliman | |
| September 13, 2025 | Conversations Pt. III (3:00PM – 5:00PM) | MIBF Main Stage and Book Signing at NBS Booth | *MIBF entrance fees may apply. (NBS Announcement: link) |
From the bustling city to the quiet corners of a bookshop, Hwang’s storytelling is a gentle reminder that it’s never too late to start anew. Her journey—from a computer engineering graduate and software developer at one of Korea’s biggest electronic companies to a full-time writer—mirrors the courage of her characters to seek meaning beyond the ordinary.
Described by readers as “a heartfelt, quiet read” and “an invitation to find warmth in life’s simple pleasures,” Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop has touched hearts worldwide with its reflective narrative, tender character arcs, and hopeful message about second chances.
Join us for “Conversations with Hwang Boreum: Stories in the Bookshop” and let her words inspire you to pause, breathe, and perhaps, write your new chapter.
