Starfield Library in Seoul – Is it Worth Visiting in 2026? 

If you’re a reading lover, then you have to visit the Starfield Library in Seoul.

This literary oasis, which often goes viral on social media, has sky-high book towers holding over 50,000 books.

I have had this library on my literary bucket list for years since it opened, but I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy it due to the negativity online.

There were complaints that it didn’t live up to the hype, as it’s in a shopping mall, is far smaller than they thought, and it’s always crowded.

Some reviews even said this place was a tourist trap simply used for photos, without any real books, and to not bother going.

After my visit, I’m glad I ignored this advice. This library was just as magical as I had hoped it would be.

As an avid reader, it was a dream come true, and you must visit on your travels through South Korea. 

Here is a complete guide to the Starfield Library in Seoul and why it’s worth visiting. 

What is the Starfield Library in Seoul?

The Starfield Library in Seoul is a spectacular book trove that is often called one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. 

It’s a bibliophile’s paradise with towering 13-metre-tall bookcases that hold over 50,000 books. 

It opened in May 2017 and used to be a hidden gem and literary oasis in the city.

Now, due to it going viral on social media, the secret is out. So, you can expect it to be very crowded during your visit. 

Where is the Starfield Library in Seoul?

Something that may shock you is that the Starfield Library in Seoul is part of a giant shopping centre.

Indeed, you’ll find this reading room tucked inside the Starfield COEX Mall.

This is located in the Gangnam district (yes, from the famous song Gangnam Style), an affluent and trendy area of the city. 

Note that Seoul is massive with many districts, and it can take you around 45-60 minutes to get here by public transport from the city centre.

I highly recommend grouping attractions by area in your Seoul itinerary to save time. 

How to visit Starfield COEX Mall

Starfield COEX Mall is in the Gangnam district, in the southeast of the city. It’s very easy to visit the Starfield Library by taxi or public transport. 

1. By Taxi: Uber works well in Seoul, and you can take a taxi to the COEX Mall in around 30 minutes from the centre, depending on traffic.
2. By Metro: You can take Line 2 to Samseong Station (Exit 6). Enter the mall and follow the signs on the ground floor to the library. 

Make sure to purchase a T-Money Card from any convenience store to pay for public transportation when travelling in South Korea. 

What is the best time to visit? 

As the Starfield Library in Seoul often goes viral on social media, you can expect it to be tremendously busy.

The best time to visit would either be early in the morning on a weekday or very late at night. 

The library is set inside a shopping mall that acts as a pedestrian walkway. So, it’s actually open a lot earlier and later than ‘official’ opening hours. 

I would get to this library as early as you can for the best experience. During the day, it’s chaos. 

What are the opening times and entry fees?

The official opening times for Starfield Library are 10.30 am to 10 pm each day.

However, as the Starfield COEX Mall is also a pedestrian walkway, it opens earlier.

I visited this mall around 9 am on a weekday morning. That’s how I was able to get my photos of the library without too many people in them. 

I would highly recommend doing the same for the best experience. Or, wait until very late in the evening. 

Another great thing about the Starfield Library in Seoul is that it’s completely free to visit, making it a delightful ‘third space’.

Arriving at Starfield Library in Seoul

As soon as I stepped inside the Starfield Library in Seoul, I gasped. My breath was completely taken away.

There were towering bookshelves as high as the sky, miles upon miles of books, and a glass ceiling that bathed the entire place in a golden glow. 

I stopped dead in my tracks just to appreciate the sheer beauty. It’s a bibliophile’s dream come true. 

As someone obsessed with reading and fantasy worlds, I felt that I had found my version of heaven on earth. 

Exploring the enormous bookcases

After I had picked my jaw up off the floor, I was excited to browse the humongous bookshelves.

They span from floor to ceiling, are 13 metres tall (42 feet), and hold over 50,000 books.  

There were volumes as far as the eye could see, and plenty of seating to relax and enjoy reading them. 

Just note that most of the books are in Korean. So, if you’re not familiar with the language, you’ll have to pretend to read them instead ;).

Are the books in Starfield Library real?

A wild rumour circulating on social media is that most of the books in the Starfield Library in Seoul aren’t real.

After my recent visit, I can confirm that these books are most definitely real. Even the ones on the very upper shelves. 

This book trove is an active library and an important local resource. So, you’ll find many people sitting down and enjoying the books.

How they clean the books at the top remains a bit of a mystery, but they are definitely there. 

Rest assured, this place is not an elaborate scam or a tourist trap. It is a real library, with real books and real readers.

It’s in no way a gimmick, the architecture just happens to be very aesthetic and perfect for photography.

While taking photos and videos, remember to respect those who are visiting to read, work or study. 

Grab a coffee and take a seat 

Something I loved about the Starfield Library in Seoul was how many cafés there were. 

You’ll find a Starbucks, % ARABICA and Cream Label serving a wide range of popular beverages.

You can visit any of these cafés, order a drink and then take a seat in the library’s upper floors.

I loved having a rest between the bookshelves, grabbing a book and people watching. 

It’s complete chaos when you’re in the crowd snapping photos. But taking a step back made me appreciate the grandeur of this spectacular library. 

Photography tips 

Beyond being a book hoard, Starfield Library in Seoul makes a fabulous photography location.

I have had this place on my bucket list for years after seeing countless photos and videos of it on social media.

But I have to emphasise that the reality is that this library is packed with visitors throughout the day. 

My advice is to visit early in the morning, before it ‘officially’ opens, if you want to get photos and videos without too many people in them.

This is especially important for the famous escalator photos. Or, you’ll be battling with other people the entire time you’re there.

If you can’t face the early wake-up call, come armed with a little patience.

You may have to go up and down the escalator a few times, but you’ll get there eventually. 

Is the Starfield Library in Seoul worth visiting?

Yes, as someone obsessed with books, I thought the Starfield Library in Seoul was worth visiting. 

I was worried before my visit as I had read countless negative reviews of this place.

People said it was too small, wasn’t a real library, was a tourist trap, and was disappointing compared to how social media posts made it appear online.

But I was in awe. There were enormous bookshelves filled with endless volumes, amazing photo opportunities and cosy cafés.

It was a reader’s dream come true, and I couldn’t believe this library was free to visit.

Yes, it is smaller than social media posts make it appear, yes, it’s located inside a shopping mall, and yes, it can get stupidly crowded. 

But don’t let that put you off visiting. I’ve visited a fair few spectacular libraries on my travels, and this one was marvellous. 

Don’t skip the Starfield Library in Seoul, it’s a book lover’s paradise. 

Don’t skip the Starfield Library in Suwon

Whether you love or hate Seoul’s Starfield Library, you must visit Suwon’s next.

The Starfield Mall in Suwon has an even bigger and, dare I say, better library than the one in Seoul. 

It has bookshelves that span three floors (4th to 7th) and a planet installation on the ceiling, making it look out of this world. 

You can read books and visit a wealth of cafés overlooking the bookshelves – there is even a vinyl café.

I definitely preferred this library over the one in Seoul, as it was less chaotic. You could actually look around the place in (relative) peace. 

Don’t get me wrong, there are still people taking endless photos and filming viral trends. But it has a more relaxed feel to it.

Read more of my South Korea guides

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Save the Starfield Library in Seoul for later