Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum

1. In the first scene, Yeongju sees a man in a business suit loitering outside her bookshop before opening time. Why do you think the author chose to begin the story with this interaction? What might his character represent for Yeongju?
2. In the early days of the bookshop, Yeongju finds comfort in reading and rekindles her relationship with books, feeling that they "welcomed her back with open arms without judging the person she'd become, and accepted her for who she was." Who or what does she fear she's become? Why?
3. At the end of the chapter "Please Recommend Me a Good Book," Yeongju comes up with a definition of what makes a good book. What does her description reflect about what books mean to her? What would your definition look like?
4. It occurs to Minjun that everything he's done has been only for the purpose of getting a job. How does this realization affect him and the choices he makes later?
5. When Mincheol calls Jungsuh "imo," she brings up the "absurd importance" Koreans place on blood ties. Many of the characters in the novel are separated from their families. How does the theme of family inform the story?
6. Minjun explains that the documentary Seymour: An Introduction made him think about moments of harmony and dissonance in life. Do you notice moments of harmony and/or dissonance throughout the novel? Do you notice them in your own life?
7. The bookshop's book club discusses The Refusal of Work and the idea of being a "downshifter." Which characters in this novel could be considered downshifters? What does the novel seem to be saying about downshifting?
8. Yeongju strives to recommend books for her customers that could help them navigate their way in life. Which books have helped you navigate your own life?
9. Seungwoo believes that "life is too complicated and expansive to be judged solely by the career we have." Which characters do you think agree with him? Which don't?
10. We don't find out details of the life Yeongju left behind until late in the novel. Why do you think the author chose to withhold this information? Did the reveal change how you viewed Yeongju?
11. Minjun helps Jimi see that her marriage is unhealthy and realizes that "being able to end things that don't work is a way of living well." How does this idea show up in other ways throughout the novel?
12. Many of the characters make significant life changes throughout the novel. What role did the bookshop make in their decision-making?
13. At the end of the novel, Yeongju thinks: A day well spent is a life well lived. Do you agree? What is a day well spent, for her? What is a day well spent, for you?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Bloomsbury Publishing. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.