Read and Experience Seoulful Stories: An Immersive Showcase of Korean Literature

Check it out at the National Book Store Superbranch, SM Mall of Asia

This tastefully designed vignette is the new home for Korean literature at the National Book Store Superbranch in SM Mall of Asia, coming soon to more NBS branches.

Manila, Philippines — National Book Store (NBS), the Philippines’ largest bookstore chain, and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) continue their collaboration with an exciting new endeavor to bring Korean literature closer to Filipino readers.

Connecting Cultures, Uniting with Stories

Seoulful Stories is a specially curated book display featuring the wide selection of Korean cozy fiction bestsellers, literary novels, manhwa (comics), and self-help books available at NBS, all translated into English or Filipino.

The structure features intricate geometric lattice screens lined with soft, translucent white backdrops reminiscent of classic paper-paneled hanji doors. Hanging from the doorways are rectangular patchwork fabric lanterns, evocative of traditional Jinju silk lanterns. This culturally immersive display for the books is a refreshing space for browsing books and taking photos and videos.

“Our partnership with National Book Store has been instrumental in bridging Korean and Filipino cultures through the shared love for reading. Through the launch of Seoulful Stories, we are thrilled to make Korean stories and literary voices even more accessible to Filipino readers, fostering a deeper cultural appreciation between our two nations,” said Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines Director Myeongjin Kim.

The first Seoulful Stories is located inside the National Book Store Superbranch in SM Mall of Asia, with the formal opening and ribbon-cutting on September 1, 2026. Another Seoulful Stories nook is coming to the all-new National Book Store Superbranch in Festival Mall by September, and will also be present in more branches later this year and throughout 2027.

“We are deeply grateful for our continued collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines,” said National Book Store President and CEO Adrian S. Ramos. “This is part of our ongoing transformation to make National Book Store more than just a go-to retail destination. Seoulful Stories helps make our stores a welcoming third space and a vibrant cultural hub, and we look forward to expanding this to more branches across Metro Manila and beyond."

Bringing Korean Authors and Filipino Readers Together

This next stage of collaboration further aligns KCC’s mission of promoting Korean language and culture with National Book Store’s dedication to providing Filipino readers with diverse, world-class literature.

Over the past several years, this mutually beneficial partnership has brought celebrated Korean literary voices to the Philippines with award-winning novelist Park Sang-young (Love in the Big City) in 2024 and bestselling author Hwang Bo-reum (Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop) in 2025.

Continuing this tradition, NBS and KCC will welcome acclaimed author Kim Ho-yeon (The Second Chance Convenience Store) to Manila for a series of book talks and signing sessions. His visit concludes with his event at the 45th Manila International Book Fair in the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City on September 12, 2026 (Saturday).

The Second Chance Convenience Store is available in National Book Store branches, online on www.nationalbookstore.com, and their official stores on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.

About National Book Store

National Book Store is the Philippines' largest bookstore chain, helping Filipino families and communities achieve balanced living affordably by providing quality books, educational materials, creative tools, and inspiring experiences that complement their digital lives, spark imagination, and foster meaningful connections.

About the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines

The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) operates under the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, dedicated to deepening cultural understanding and exchange between Korea and the Philippines through language, arts, literature, and community programs.