In the capital city of South Korea in the heart of Gangnam’s COEX Mall is the most impressive library you’ll ever see – Starfield Library.

I never would have thought the best library I’ll ever see would be in Seoul. It may not be the biggest library in the world, but in terms of unique memorability and architectural brilliance, it’s certainly the coolest in my books (no pun intended).

In The Heart Of Gangnam

I’m sure the name “Gangnam” rang a bell for you; after all, it is indeed the home city of PSY’s Park Jae-Sung, creator of Gangnam Style (and that strange yet iconic dance move!). A rather affluent district of Seoul, Gangnam is home to high-rise buildings and skyscrapers, and luxurious shopping malls such as COEX Mall, home to the stunning Starfield Library! Just outside the mall is a cool monument that pays homage to the iconic Gangnam Style dance that took the world by storm back in 2012.

More Than Just A Library

Starfield Library is more than a book center; it’s an immersive experience of architectural wonder! Enormous library shelves with countless book covers on display and titles from A-Z can be seen at every corner. There is also a decorated tree, a mini play area for kids, and magazine exhibits in the center, giving the library a bit of a museum vibe, too. Seriously, though, how does one even reach those books on the top shelves?

Architectural Awe

What truly captivates me about Starfield Library is the view from the second floor. Once you get up the escalators, the details of the roof’s architecture can be seen up close. It’s awesome how they manage to design such a patterned covering for the library, yet also allow enough visibility to see the outside world and the surrounding skyscrapers of the Gangnam District. It’s also a great way to let natural light in so we can truly appreciate the glory of Starfield Library with optimized visibility.

Knowledge Is Power!

As an author myself, it would be a dream come true to have one of my titles featured on these mountainous shelves at Starfield Library (though I’m sure it would get lost in a sea of books). With the exception of my published works, you could probably find just about any book on these shelves. While there is a significant amount of Korean books and authors featured, you can also find all the English classics like the Twilight series or the Hunger Games (I’m sure Harry Potter was there somewhere, too).

A Great Place To Work!

This is certainly not the type of library that adheres to classic rules of silence and food or drink restrictions, after all, it’s a tourist destination more than anything. That being said, you can still find reasonably quiet areas to get some work done, just plug in some earphones and hit up the second floor away from the majority of the crowds. There are also plenty of cafes in and around Starfield Library, such as % Arabica, Starbucks, and Vinyl Starfield Suwon, where you can grab a delicious croissant and coffee to go!