Thanks to David Gomez for writing in with an answer to a question which lots of people have asked: where to buy Korean books in London. Not books about Korea, not books about how to learn Korean, but books written in Korean.
My standard answer is that I haven’t the foggiest idea, but that if you’re lucky you can get a children’s book or two in Grant & Cutler.
Undaunted, David did his own research, and discovered Book Village (책 마을) at 115B Burlington Road, New Malden, KT3 4LR, tel 0208 336 5916 [Map]. It’s right above a food store.
It’s a snug little room, lined with more books than you can possibly imagine, with a couple of sofas. Kim Hye Sun (below) will make you a cup of tea while you browse.
Not being a Korean speaker it’s hard for me to tell the quality of the literature for sale, but there seemed to be rather a lot of manhwa.
I’m told that the shop rents books out as well as sells them.
Ring in advance to check the opening hours. It was open till 9pm on the Friday I visited.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Was wondering if they stock Korean fashion magazines, can’t seem to find any in London.
very desperate, Kit
We as Korean language student like to make a trip down there to feel about Korean culture and glance the Korean books but feel obliged to email them in advance. Anyone does happen to have their email address. Urgent, please reply soon.
If her business card had an email address I think I would have put it in the article above (and unfortunately I don’t have the card any more). Plus from recollection I don’t think she could speak English very well, so sending her an email in English probably won’t get a response.
Maybe get a Korean friend to give them a bell?
Lady on the phone managed to tell me the email address is bookvillage@hanmail.net. Her English is not that bad after all.
Thanks for letting me know. Hope you have a good visit
hi there, i’ve noticed that this website seems to have a lot of info about New Malden, where there is a community of South Korean. I was wondering what type of things they have there ><"
i know there are: supermarkets, salons, bookstores, restaurants/cafes – but i was wondering if there were any korean fashion stores there?
thank you!