I made a special trip to Daeo Bookstore (대오서점) while wandering the charming streets of Seochon Village. I had planned the visit carefully after learning that RM had been there, and when we first arrived, the shop was still closed. While waiting, we wandered around the neighborhood and stumbled upon a cute stationery shop that sold cat-themed items. I couldn’t resist picking up a postcard with a cat design, a little memento to start the day. After that, we returned to Daeo Bookstore and stepped inside.

Walking into the bookstore felt like stepping into a little pocket of Seoul frozen in time. The shelves were stacked with books, old family photos, and tiny antiques that whispered stories of a Korea I could only imagine. The soft creak of the floorboards and the scent of old paper instantly made me slow down and just breathe.

The shop had a magic all its own. Seeing RM’s autograph tucked among the shelves made me pause, imagining him wandering through the same space I was in. I could see why it’s been used in TV shows and IU’s music video, everything felt effortlessly cinematic, like a living, breathing storybook.

I ordered a lemonade and grabbed a dalgona lollipop, because of course I couldn’t resist. The rule is that you have to buy something—either a drink or a small souvenir but honestly, it felt like the right way to honor the space. The old lady who runs the shop moved around quietly, tending to everything with such care, and I loved watching her gentle routine.

There’s a small inner courtyard, and I found a spot to sit and read for a while. The sun filtered through the leaves, and for a few minutes, it felt like the world had slowed down just for me. No videos, no rushing just the quiet hum of the shop, the smell of old books, and the simple joy of being there. Another memory tucked into my Purple Vault.