A tale of a bookshop where comfort is always in stock

In 'Welcome To The Hyunam-dong Bookshop', Hwang explores the healing power of books, safe spaces, and found family, reminding readers it’s okay to start over in an overwhelming world. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon

Why do we read? For some, reading is a temporary escape from the real world. For others, it’s the endless pursuit of knowledge – be it to improve themselves or to better understand the world.

For South Korean author Hwang Bo-reum, 43, who penned the heartfelt debut novel Welcome To The Hyunam-dong Bookshop, reading is a form of comfort, like a warm, reassuring hug or an intimate heart-to-heart with loved ones.