Chaekbang (pronounced /chek-bang/) is a native Korean word meaning “bookshop.” In recent years, it has been widely used to refer to small independent bookstores — intimate reading spaces with strong personal character, distinct from large bookstore chains. The name was chosen for its warmth and simplicity, as well as its purely Korean origin, reflecting the spirit of this book club.

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Chaekbang is a small book club created for readers who want to explore Korean literature together — including novels, short stories, essays, and nonfiction.

The idea grew from my personal experience. As a former international student in South Korea, I once believed Korean literature was not particularly distinctive compared to other literary traditions. However, the more Korean books I read in recent years, the more my perspective changed. Korean literature goes far beyond the “healing” or light essay genres often associated with it; it is diverse in form and perspective, ranging from socially sharp and emotionally complex works to experimental and thought-provoking narratives.

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Chaekbang was therefore created as a shared reading space where readers can engage with Korean literature more thoughtfully and at a slower, more intentional pace — through books that have been translated into Vietnamese and are currently available on the market.