Jeong Jun-sung's Yeomin Dongnak (344) Book Day... 'Neighborhood Bookstores'

There is a Japanese documentary film called "The Village Bookstore" that was released domestically.

It tells the story of a 10-pyeong-sized old bookstore in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, which has been in business for over 70 years—"We Still Visit Kobayashi Bookstore Today."

The subtitle is based on the original work "There is a bookstore I want to run to whenever it sways."

The film's content, which gave audiences a gentle touch of emotion, goes like this.

Yumiko, the owner of Kobayashi Bookstore, which has been operating for 70 years in a quiet neighborhood near Osaka.

About 40 years have passed since she inherited the bookstore from her parents, but located in a quiet area, it does not attract many customers.

However, for her, there is something more important than money.

It is having conversations with customers.

Rather than selling books, she ran the bookstore by exchanging thoughts about hope, sadness, and hardship in life, believing that life is worthwhile.

As the bookstore became known not as a place to sell books but as a space connecting people, the struggling small bookstore flourished again.

More people from across the country began visiting the bookstore, and it established itself as a tourism content with a story for the region.

The film wove this success story together with emotion.

The novel was published about 40 years ago. In Korea, both the novel and film were introduced in 2022.

However, unfortunately, the "Kobayashi Bookstore" with its 72-year history closed in 2024.

The cause is said to be the age and health condition of the owner, making it impossible to continue running the bookstore.

This well represents the reality of Japan—a publishing powerhouse where neighborhood bookstores are declining.

Though somewhat different from our situation, where bookstores close due to profitability concerns despite wanting to continue.

As of 2026, there are 2,484 bookstores in Korea, a decrease of 44 from five years ago (see Korean Bookstore Directory).

Meanwhile, there are 10 basic municipal districts with no bookstores at all, and 5 regions on the verge of extinction(?) with only one remaining.

Looking at the numbers alone, it appears cultural soil remains.

However, when you look deeper, the real sense is different.

There are countless neighborhood bookstores where only about ten people come and go per day.

The main culprit is the discount competition between online bookstores and large chain bookstores.

Additionally, an irrational distribution structure where wholesale and retail are intertwined is also a factor.

As a result, neighborhood bookstores have long ceased to be cultural spaces and have become livelihood sites that must endure.

If bookstores survive, reading survives, and if reading survives, society maintains its depth.....

April 23 is "Book Day."

It originates from the death anniversaries of the great writers "William Shakespeare" and "Miguel de Cervantes."

Coincidentally, on this day, the Korean Publishers Association will hold "Spring Day Bookstore Outing."

It is worth noting that couples visiting participating bookstores on the day will receive roses and books as gifts.

You can refer to the "Participating Bookstores" on the "National Neighborhood Bookstore Network."