Although the popularity of e-books and audio books has never been higher, there have always been book lovers who prefer to read an actual book.
 
Even on a normal weekday at a bookstore, there are always people who are eager to study foreign languages, learn more about life, and catch up on current issues through “actual books.”

One of Korea’s online bookstores, Aladdin has recently opened used bookstores in Sinchon and Jongno in Seoul.

The interior designs of the Aladdin Used Bookstore are just the same as usual bookstores in Korea; books are all categorized by genres, organized well, and easily found by searching for keywords using a computer in the store.

Anybody is welcome to buy and sell books at the store. When selling books, visitors can check the estimated price of their used books on the bookstore website (http://used.aladin.co.kr/shop/UsedShop/witem_search.aspx).

Its Jongno branch, located closed to Jonggak Station, has a decent amount of foreign books. Anything from ESL materials to famous novels like A Game of Thrones can be found at the bookstore at a reasonable price.

Directions: Subway Line 1, Jonggak Station, Exit 4. Go straight, and it’s on the right side before the clothing store Giordano.

What the Book? located close to Itaewon Station is a bookstore that mostly handles foreign books written in English. It sells not only new books but also approximately 18,000 used English books covering all kinds of genres.

One of the features of the store is that customers can order a book overseas using its website. For those who aren’t residing in Seoul or close to the location of the bookstore, it offers free delivery for orders of two or more books that total 25,000 won or more.

More information about What the Book can be found at http://www.whatthebook.com.

Directions: Subway Line 6, Itaewon Station, Exit 1. It’s an eight-minute walk straight out the exit, and can be found on the second floor of the building past the Burger King.

Just one subway station away from What the Book?, there is another used book store, Foreign Bookstore, that’s been buying, selling, and exchanging books since 1973.

Visitors may have to look around to find a book, as books aren’t well organized; it could be rather a fun treasure hunt to find some rare English books. Book prices vary depending on the book’s condition, but most novels can be purchased at less than 10,000 won.

Directions: Subway Line 6, Noksapyeong Station, Exit 2. Walk to the bottom of the hill and take the underpass. Go right, and head up the street. You will find it right before the Lexus dealership.

By Jessica Seoyoung Choi
Korea.net Staff Writer

[Source: Koera.net]