KOREAN BOOK PHENOM IN MANILA
Second Chance Convenience Store finds grace in ordinary lives, as a small neighborhood shop becomes the unlikely place where broken people begin again.
Photograph courtesy of Kim Ho-yeon
Second Chance Convenience Store finds grace in ordinary lives, as a small neighborhood shop becomes the unlikely place where broken people begin again.
Photograph courtesy of Kim Ho-yeon
The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines is set to bring Korean literature closer to Filipino readers this September through "Moments with Kim Ho-yeon: Where Second Chances Begin,” a five-day literary program featuring acclaimed Korean author Kim Ho-yeon.
From 9 to 13 September, the KCC will organize a series of activities in partnership with the 45th Manila International Book Festival, connecting Kim with Filipino readers, students, members of the media, and the KCC Book Club through talks, discussions, and book signing sessions.
Kim Ho-yeon is best known internationally for The Second Chance Convenience Store, a heartwarming novel that explores kindness, community, healing, and the possibility of starting over.
The novel became a bestseller in Korea selling more than two million copies and has since been translated into English, Japanese, Polish, Chinese and Spanish.
The program comes as interest in Korean literature continues to grow in the Philippines. Korean titles such as Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop and Love in the Big City have gained popularity among Filipino readers, while the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to Korean author Han Kang further increased international interest in Korean literature.
Through "Moments with Kim Ho-yeon: Where Second Chances Begin,” the KCC continues its efforts to promote Korean literature and create opportunities for Filipino audiences to engage directly with Korean authors and their works.
The program will begin on 9 September with the KCC's K-Story Convenience Store Booth at the MIBF, held at the SMX Convention Center Manila, featuring a selection of Korean books and activities that invite Filipino readers to discover more about Korean literature.
On 10 September, the KCC will host a meet-and-greet session and book signing with Kim Ho-yeon at the KCC Library.
On 11 September, the program will continue at the University of the Philippines Diliman with a special talk show with students.
On 12 September, the program will culminate at the Manila International Book Festival, where Kim will take part in a stage interview, followed by a book signing and meet-and-greet at the National Book Store stage.
Director Myeongjin Kim of the KCC said, "Through these events, we hope to create a meaningful space for Filipino readers to connect with Korean literature and discover the stories and perspectives it offers. We also hope that this program will further strengthen the growing exchange between Korean and Filipino readers and contribute to a deeper appreciation of each other's literary cultures."
