| Dongyang Bookstore | |
| Native Name: | 동양서림 |
| Native Name Lang: | ko |
| Romanized Name: | Dongyang Seorim |
| Industry: | Bookstore |
| Founder: | Lee Sun-gyeong |
| Hq Location: | 271-1 Changgyeonggung-ro, Hyehwa-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea |
| Owner: | Choi Su-yeong |
Dongyang Bookstore is a historic bookstore in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea.[1] [2] It is one of the oldest active bookstores in Seoul,[3] having been founded in 1953. It is a designated Seoul Future Heritage.
It was initially founded in Hyehwa-dong, before moving to its current location in 1954. Its founder was Lee Sun-gyeong, the wife of painter Chang Ucchin and daughter of Yi Pyong-do. She reportedly served as the breadwinner between her and her husband, through the business. In 1987, she handed off the business to her long-time employee Choi Ju-bo . In 2004, Choi handed the business off to her daughter, So-yeong . By 2019, the younger Choi was still the CEO.[4] After the business was designated a Seoul Future Heritage in the 2010s, the Seoul Metropolitan Government provided funds for its renovation. The store was reportedly previously a cramped one-floor business that was packed with bookshelves. After the renovation, bookshelves were removed to make room for readers, and they began work on creating a cafe space for customers. A second floor was added, with bookshelves of poetry. They kept the original faded facade of the restaurant, in order to show that it was a historic and aged place.
The store has hosted author events with people such as Han Kang and Gu Byeong-mo.