Pyeongsan Bookstore: A Humble Dream in a Quiet Korean Village
On the way from Bongha Village to Andong,
we made a quiet stop at Pyeongsan Bookstore. 📚🍃
Hidden in the small village of Pyeongsan in Yangsan,
this bookstore is modest and unassuming—
yet it gently reflects the philosophy of a former president
who chose to return to life as an ordinary citizen.
The space feels less like a bookstore
and more like a village living room. ☕
Converted from an old house,
it blends naturally into the neighborhood,
welcoming locals and travelers alike to slow down.
Inside, shelves are filled with books on literature, history, and society. 📖
The recommended titles quietly hint at the ideas
he wishes to share with the world—
not through speeches, but through reading.
Perhaps because it was winter,
the bookstore was calm and uncrowded. ❄️
A security guard mentioned he usually appears around 4 p.m.,
but our timing didn’t align, and we missed him that day.
Pyeongsan Village itself is small, peaceful, and gently beautiful. 🍃
Standing there, it becomes easier to rethink
what a “successful life” really means—
stepping down from high places
and choosing to meet people at eye level.
I hope he continues to live here for a long time,
as the kind of bookstore owner he loves being—
healthy, content, and surrounded by books and neighbors. 🌿
📚 Opening Hours
Spring–Fall (March–October): 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Winter (November–February): 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on Mondays 🌿
This post is the seventh entry in my six-day winter journey through Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk—
a trip shaped by coastal landscapes, lived-in history, and a slower, more reflective rhythm of travel.
The journey begins in Sancheong, a quiet town at the foot of Jirisan.
You can read the first entry here:
https://enko.co.kr/sancheong-travel-guide/
The second and third entries move south to Namhae, exploring both
the Namhae German Village and the German Emigration Exhibition Hall:
https://enko.co.kr/namhae-german-village/
https://enko.co.kr/german-emigration-exhibition-hall/
The fourth entry introduces Tongyeong (Part 1),
focusing on its harbor history and the legacy of Admiral Yi Sun-sin:
https://enko.co.kr/tongyeong-travel-guide/
The fifth entry continues in Tongyeong (Part 2),
highlighting hillside villages and everyday food culture:
https://enko.co.kr/things-to-do-in-tongyeong/
The sixth entry visits Bongha Village in Gimhae,
where former President Roh Moo-hyun spent his final years,
reflecting on democracy, citizenship, and memory:
Gimhae Bongha Village 2026: A Remarkable Legacy Of Democracy, Citizenship, And Memory
For the complete itinerary of the six-day trip, see:
https://enko.co.kr/korea-winter-trip/
