Busan is a city filled with things to see and places to enjoy. Yet today, I want to introduce a side of Busan that feels slightly different from the images most people—locals and travelers alike—tend to carry with them. Around Gwangalli Beach, restaurants, cafés, and seaside nightlife line the streets. But tucked quietly among them are spaces that gently fill an emotional gap many of us don’t realize we have.
The focus of this piece is a small collection of sentimental bookstores in Gwangalli, Busan. The places I want to share are Arc N Book Gwangalli, Bamsanchaekbang, and Juchaekgongsa. Among them, Bamsanchaekbang and Juchaekgongsa stand out as independent bookstores—spaces where stories live not only on the page, but within the atmosphere itself.
Where Books Meet Lifestyle and Design – Arc N Book Gwangalli
Arc N Book presents itself as an urban cultural space where books and lifestyle intersect. Guided by four themes—Daily, Weekend, Style, and Inspiration—the store curates books and objects that speak to everyday rhythms, personal taste, and moments of reflection.
A visit to Arc N Book Gwangalli makes this philosophy immediately tangible. The store spans two floors: the lower level houses books and lifestyle goods, while the upper level functions as an exhibition and event space. During my visit, a Miffy exhibition was on display, reinforcing the sense that this is not simply a bookstore, but a place where reading naturally coexists with visual culture.
One of the most striking features is the layout itself. A central staircase weaves through the space, allowing visitors to cross paths naturally. It feels intentional—almost symbolic—bringing books, people, and movement into quiet dialogue.
Despite its size, Arc N Book avoids the overwhelming feeling common to large bookstores. Instead, thoughtful curation leads the experience. For readers who often find themselves reaching for the same kinds of books, the themed displays offer gentle nudges toward unfamiliar choices. It feels less like browsing shelves and more like receiving a recommendation from a local friend.
Alongside books, a range of carefully selected objects invites visitors to take a piece of the experience with them. For travelers, these items become more than souvenirs—they turn reading into a lasting memory tied to place.
A Bookstore for the Night – Bamsanchaekbang
Bamsanchaekbang, a 24-hour unmanned independent bookstore in Gwangalli, is located about five minutes on foot from Arc N Book and roughly ten minutes from Gwangalli Beach. Situated at the edge of a quiet residential alley, the bookstore maintains a subtle connection to the sea—visible in the distance during the day and felt more deeply at night.
What truly sets this space apart is its round-the-clock accessibility. The idea that books are available at any hour feels quietly reassuring, especially late at night when thoughts tend to linger. Stopping by after the day has fully settled can feel unexpectedly restorative.
For travelers who spend their days moving from one attraction to another, Bamsanchaekbang offers a different encounter with Busan. It trades spectacle for stillness, inviting visitors into the texture of everyday life rather than curated tourism.
Inside, soft footage of the beach plays along the walls, visually extending the outside world into the interior. The shelves are not densely packed; instead, carefully selected titles are given room to breathe. The arrangement feels like a gentle invitation—to slow down and choose deliberately.
Some of the books here challenge traditional formats. One I purchased was designed like an airplane ticket, combining photographs, video, and text. Reading it felt less like turning pages and more like embarking on a journey. Moments like this make it clear that Bamsanchaekbang is less concerned with selling books and more invested in offering comfort and quiet inspiration.
The Most Independent of Independent Bookstores – Juchaekgongsa
Juchaekgongsa, an independent bookstore located in Minrak-dong near Gwangalli, sits about a fifteen-minute walk from the beach. Even before arriving in Busan, this was the bookstore I most wanted to visit. Reviews often described it as the embodiment of what an independent bookstore should be—and the reality lived up to that reputation.
Housed in a converted old residence, Juchaekgongsa does not feel purpose-built, and that is precisely its charm. The name itself carries meaning: ju refers to the Lord, while chaekgongsa suggests the act of constructing lives through books.
The store opens every day at 11 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m., without holidays. The bookseller explains this simply: “Books do not rest.” That belief quietly defines the space.
The story of the bookseller adds further depth. In an interview, he shared that he entered seminary at twenty, spent twelve years preparing for ministry, later worked in the food service industry, and eventually opened this bookstore. His reason is strikingly simple: “People write books, make them, read them, sell them, and live through them. Books connect people. To me, books themselves are people.”
One of Juchaekgongsa’s most well-known offerings is the “birthday book.” Wrapped in a box and marked only with a date, each book corresponds to its original publication day. Visitors can purchase a book published on their birthday, without knowing the title in advance. I haven’t opened mine yet, and that anticipation has become part of the experience itself.
Beyond that, the space feels like a small private library. Handwritten notes accompany many books, and there is room to sit and read—whether a purchased title or one from the shelves. Everything about the place reflects a sincere hope that people will slow down and read, not out of obligation, but out of care.
Walking with Books Through Busan
Busan is a romantic city. Yet familiarity—whether through daily life or repeated travel patterns—can quietly dull that sense of romance. The city becomes predictable, its beauty routine.
This time, consider meeting Busan through books, especially in Gwangalli. Choosing a book, receiving a recommendation, and carrying that quiet feeling with you as you walk along the shore leaves a deeper imprint than expected. Arc N Book Gwangalli, Bamsanchaekbang, and Juchaekgongsa each connect books and everyday life in their own way.
A single book encountered by the sea, or along a quiet alley at night, may become one of the memories that stays with you long after the trip ends.
About Author
faith.log
A journal that connects faith and everyday life. In each small piece of writing, we share the grace of God and the depth of life together.