Spectacular Scenes at the Seoul International Book Fair

The Seoul International Book Fair, which concluded on June 22, showcased an extraordinary scene as attendees lined up even before the official opening on a weekday. Tickets had sold out in advance, making on-site purchases impossible. Many visitors arrived early not to buy tickets but simply to gain entry.

As soon as the doors opened, crowds rushed in to snatch up limited edition signed copies and merchandise from renowned authors. Jeong Eun-sook, the head of Maumsanchaek, noted that they had brought 200 signed hardcover copies of poet Park Cham-sae's essay collection, 'The Exceedingly Sad Self-Consciousness,' which sold out by 3 PM.

The presence of 'celebrities' was particularly noticeable, with actor Park Jung-min's publishing house, Muze, resembling a fan signing event. Attendees crowded around to take photos of Park Jung-min while he sold books, prompting staff to request that they keep moving to avoid congestion. Purchasing books was no easy task either, as lines snaked around the booth.

Another remarkable sight was the celebrity status of publishing staff. At the Minumsa booth, a long line formed for autographs from Jo Ah-ran, the marketing director and host of Minumsa TV, which boasts 310,000 subscribers. Additionally, editors who frequently appear on Minumsa TV held impromptu signing sessions, attracting their own fanbase.

Despite a declining readership, the book fair was bustling with activity. One publisher explained, 'The primary audience of the book fair, those in their 20s and 30s, enjoy the experience of participating in the event and purchasing books and goods on-site. The older generation's perspective that they could just buy books comfortably at a bookstore doesn't apply to them.'