If you are looking for unique things to do near Gyeongbokgung Palace, Daeo Bookstore is a small place worth adding to your Seochon itinerary.
Located in Seochon Village, Seoul, this old bookstore is known for its vintage Korean atmosphere, traditional courtyard, and connection to Korean singer IU. Today, it is also a small cafe where visitors can enjoy a drink while looking around the old books and traces of Seoul’s past.
I visited Daeo Bookstore while exploring the area around Gyeongbokgung Station. It is very different from the large, modern cafes you often find in Seoul.
From the outside, Daeo Bookstore is easy to walk past without noticing. The weathered facade and narrow entrance blend naturally into the old Seochon neighborhood.
That is also part of its charm.
Daeo Bookstore, One of Seoul’s Oldest Bookstores
Daeo Bookstore, known as Daeo Seojeom (대오서점) in Korean, opened in 1951 and is widely known as one of the oldest bookstores in Seoul.
Rather than feeling like a conventional bookstore, the space preserves the atmosphere of an old Korean home filled with books, photographs, furniture, and objects collected over many years.
Today, visitors order a drink to use the cafe space. When I visited, drinks were generally around KRW 6,000–7,000.
It is worth knowing this before visiting because Daeo Bookstore is not a place where you simply walk around like a museum. It operates as a cafe, and seating is provided to customers ordering drinks.
A Unique Cafe in Seochon
The interior is small and rustic.
Old books fill the shelves, handwritten notes cover parts of the ceiling, and vintage photographs and objects are displayed throughout the room.
If you enjoy finding hidden cafes in Seoul rather than visiting only famous chains and trendy coffee shops, this is an interesting stop.
What I liked most was that the space had not been renovated to look artificially retro.
The uneven walls, old wooden furniture and crowded bookshelves are part of the original character of the building. It feels more like stepping into someone’s old home than visiting a carefully designed photo spot.
What to Order at Daeo Bookstore Cafe
I ordered a drink and spent some time looking around the cafe.
The drinks themselves are not necessarily the main reason to visit. You are really paying for the chance to sit inside this unusual historic space and experience a different side of Seoul.
If your priority is specialty coffee, there are many other cafes in Seochon to choose from. But if you want atmosphere, history and a distinctive Seoul experience, Daeo Bookstore offers something different.
Daeo Bookstore and IU
Daeo Bookstore became especially well known among K-pop fans after IU was photographed here for her album A Flower Bookmark.
That connection has made the bookstore a popular IU photo location in Seoul, particularly among international fans looking for places associated with Korean music and pop culture.
The courtyard is one of the most memorable parts of Daeo Bookstore.
Old wooden doors, bookshelves and traditional architectural details surround the small open space. It is easy to understand why this location was chosen as a backdrop for nostalgic images.
A Glimpse of Old Seoul at Daeo Bookstore
Large onggi, traditional Korean earthenware jars, sit along one side of the courtyard with an old water pump below them.
These everyday objects create a scene that feels far removed from modern Seoul, even though Gyeongbokgung Palace and central Seoul are only a short walk away.
This was probably my favorite part of the bookstore.
Old Books and Memories of Seoul
Books are everywhere.
Rather than browsing the shelves as you would at a regular bookstore, it is better to think of them as part of the history of the space.
Old photographs, magazines, books and handwritten notes together create a small archive of everyday Korean life.
For travelers interested in Korean culture, books, retro Seoul or unusual places in Seoul, there is plenty to look at despite the small size of the cafe.
Is Daeo Bookstore Worth Visiting?
I would not travel across Seoul only to see Daeo Bookstore. The space is quite small, so you do not need a long time here.
But its location makes it easy to combine with other attractions around Gyeongbokgung Palace and Seochon Village.
I recommend Daeo Bookstore if you:
- are already visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace or Seochon
- are an IU or K-pop fan
- enjoy old bookstores and retro spaces
- want to find unique cafes in Seoul
- prefer quieter neighborhoods to busy tourist districts
Allow around 30–60 minutes for the visit, depending on whether you stay for a drink.
Things to Do Near Daeo Bookstore
Daeo Bookstore works best as one stop on a Seochon walking itinerary rather than as a destination on its own.
You can combine it with Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seochon Village, Tongin Market and the streets around Gyeongbokgung Station.
A simple half-day route would be:
Gyeongbokgung Palace → Seochon Village → Daeo Bookstore → Tongin Market
This gives you a mix of Korean history, local neighborhoods, food and cafe culture without spending much time traveling between places.
Daeo Bookstore Travel Tips
Korean name: 대오서점
Area: Seochon Village, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Nearest subway: Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3
Best for: IU fans, K-pop fans, book lovers, cafe lovers and travelers interested in old Seoul
Time needed: About 30–60 minutes
Opening hours and cafe policies can change, so I recommend checking the latest information before visiting.
Daeo Bookstore is within walking distance of Gyeongbokgung Station, making it an easy stop for travelers exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace and Seochon Village in one day.
📍Daeo Bookstore (대오서점) on Google Maps
Try a Hanbok Experience Near Gyeongbokgung Palace
If you are visiting Daeo Bookstore as part of a Gyeongbokgung and Seochon itinerary, you can also rent a traditional Korean hanbok near the palace.
Hanboknam offers hanbok rental and hairstyling near Gyeongbokgung Palace, making it easy to dress in traditional Korean clothing before exploring the palace and nearby Seochon.
A convenient route is:
Hanbok rental → Gyeongbokgung Palace → Seochon Village → Daeo Bookstore
Book Hanbok Rental & Hairstyling at Gyeongbokgung on Klook
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link. If you make a booking through this link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Final Thoughts
Seoul is full of huge cafes, modern museums and famous attractions, but sometimes the smaller places stay in your memory longer.
Daeo Bookstore is one of those places.
It is not a large tourist attraction, and there is not a long list of things to do inside. What makes it interesting is the space itself: old books, a tiny courtyard, wooden doors, traditional jars and decades of memories packed into an old building in Seochon.
If you are planning a trip to Gyeongbokgung Palace, walk a little farther into Seochon and stop by Daeo Bookstore. It is an easy way to see a quieter and more nostalgic side of Seoul.
More Places to Visit in Seoul
If you are looking for more cultural attractions and unique places to visit in Seoul, you may also enjoy these guides:
- Seoul Museum of Art: Free Exhibition & Visitor Tips — A free art museum to add to your Seoul cultural itinerary.
- Gilsangsa Temple Seoul: Visitor Guide & Directions — A peaceful temple in Seongbuk-dong for travelers looking for a quieter side of Seoul.
- Horim Museum: Korean Art & Visitor Guide in Seoul — A good choice if you are interested in traditional Korean art and culture.