In the past, it was hard to find a neighborhood in South Korea without a stationery store. Whenever school finished, every nearby stationery store was bustling with students. Until the early 2000s, stationery stores were considered a representative cultural icon of Korea. However, now they have become part of the “retro” or “analog” trend. With the advancement of technology, people have shifted from using pencils to taking notes on tablet PCs, and from sending letters to using social media for asking about a friend’s well-being. Although stationery may be perceived as outdated to some, we still have stores that proudly convey the charm of these writing instruments. Thanks to such stores, we can constantly remind ourselves of the importance of stationery. Perhaps, it is these stores that are helping the retro culture revive, allowing people to reminisce childhood memories, and drawing them consistently back to paper and pens. This column covers three stores in Seoul that underline the significance and allure of stationery.

THINKING ABOUT THE SCENE & TOOL – POINT OF VIEW

Location: 18 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul Open Hours: Everyday 12:00 p.m. ~ 8 p.m. Tel: 02-469-0077

Point of View illuminates all the tools existing in the creatorʼs scene through the creatorʼs perspective. The focus is on the process of expressing the creator’s own perspective and the story itself, rather than flashy techniques. Therefore, Point of View tries to provide a new perspective on the creative process itself by solely focusing on the “Scene and Tools.” As the main objective of the store is to satiate people’s curiosity about what type of tools are used in the creation process, it tries to recreate the authentic scene of a writer’s life. Point of View Seong-su features three floors, each representing a different theme: Tool, Scene, and Archive. The first floor mainly consists of stationery, the basic tool of a writer’s creation. The second floor conveys the writer’s environment, displaying papers and notebooks. The third floor depicts the writer’s life, providing an atmosphere of a publishing house. This store is inspired by the progressive stages of creation, allowing the visitors to have an in-depth and clearer understanding of the shop’s point of view as they ascend through the floors. Although it is a stationery store, the main theme of the store and the concept of each floor allows the visitors to have an exhibition-like experience. Visit the store to take a glimpse of the artistic mindset embedded in the Point of View!

POST CARD LIBRARY – POSET

Location: 82, Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul Opening Hours: Everyday 12 p.m. ~ 8 p.m., Monday Off Tel: 02-3141-7427

Just 25 years ago, 20 million postcards were sold annually. However, the number has dropped significantly. It is now at 5 million and continues to decrease every year, which indicates that sending greetings through postcards has become increasingly rare. In just a few decades, people might not be aware of the genuine role that postcards used to play. Places that sell postcards are diminishing, making it increasingly difficult for people to come across them. In this sense, Poset implies a special meaning. It serves as a gateway to the past and to a different time. At Poset, various postcards from different artists are displayed and sold. Postcards are available at a wide range of prices, starting from the most affordable price of 1,000 won. One of the special features of this store is the “Storage Service.” They offer a service where you can store the postcards or letters you purchase from the store. It is like writing a letter to your future self, thus making it somewhat like a personal time capsule. This storage service costs 1,100 won per month. For more detailed information, you can inquire to the store.

SMALL PENCIL SHOP – BLACK HEART (흑심)

Location: 47 Yeonhui-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul Opening Hour: Everyday 1 p.m. ~ 7 p.m., Monday Off Tel: 070-4799-0923

Small Pencil Store: Black Heart is a project brand that introduces diverse and beautiful pencils, reinterpreting and developing designs inspired by the essence of pencils. The store first opened in 2016. As the value of pencils has transformed into that of a nostalgic tool, it prompted the store to reconsider their significance. Unlike other stationery stores, this store specializes in pencils. This is because the objective of this store is to solely focus on the charm and value that pencils possess. The store sells pencils collected from different countries and brands. Pursuing analog sensibilities, the unique trait of this store is the sale of “vintage” pencils. They offer products ranging from pencils manufactured in the 1960s to those acquired through auctions, providing items that cannot be commonly found in other stationery stores. This encapsulates the distinct charm of the store. The moment you step inside, the waft of pencil scent evokes the memories and allure of pencils once again.