Starfield Library in Seoul & Suwon - The World’s Most Beautiful Libraries

For the world’s most Instagrammable library, head to Seoul’s Starfield Library or nearby Suwon Starfield Library (and be sure to ‘bookmark’ this page).

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South Korea’s most famous libraries can actually be found in the middle of two big shopping malls, Starfield COEX Mall in Seoul’s Gangnam district, plus Starfield Suwon – an easy day trip from Seoul.

Both libraries look incredible, are popular on social media and free to visit – here is our ultimate guide to the Starfield Library (별마당도서관) in Gangnam and Starfield Suwon (스타필드 수원).

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Table of Contents

Starfield Library locations and opening times

As of summer 2025, there are two Starfield Libraries in South Korea – the original one in Seoul at Starfield COEX Mall plus the newest one at Starfield Suwon Mall which opened in early 2024.

Starfield Library Seoul is open daily from 10.30am to 10pm 7 days a week, whilst Starfield Library opens slightly earlier from 10am to 10pm 7 days a week – both are located in the middle of massive malls and have free admission.

There are three ways to reach Suwon Starfield from Seoul by public transport:

Korail train (the best option in our opinion + reserved seat) then Metro or bis
KTX high-speed train (fastest option + reserved seat) then Metro or bus
Subway train (cheapest and slowest option)

To travel from Seoul Station to Starfield Suwon, jump on the Metro Line 1 to Hwaseo Station, which will take approximately one hour then jump on the local MRT or a bus – use Naver maps to assist you.

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What to expect

Who knew libraries could be so cool? In South Korea, libraries have been taken to the next level with the beautifully designed Starfield Libraries.

Both libraries contain multi-level book shelves and are surrounded by little nooks and cool coffee shops – no wonder they are so popular on the ‘gram.

Books and magazines are free to read in the library although based on our own visits, we’d say people were more interested in taking selfies and photographs than reading.

In that regard, we feel sorry for the genuine readers and Korean bibliophiles who have to put up with all the selfish selfie takers who go all out to get that ultimate shot.

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The best thing – you don’t need to ‘book’

These sublime Starfield Libraries in Seoul and Suwon are a fun way to spend a day shopping and taking photos. As they are located inside public malls, you don’t need entry ticket plus you can shop ‘til you drop and enjoy brews with book views in the nearby cafes.

Both libraries contain thousands of books and magazines and both have escalators and lifts to get to the higher tiers.

We’ve also been lucky enough to be in Seoul at Christmas and got to see the brilliant white Christmas tree at Starfield Library COEX Mall – it is such a nice place for Christmas themed photos and winter high fashion.

But which Starfield Library is better? Seoul or Suwon – let’s discuss…

Starfield COEX Mall in Gangnam, Seoul christmas tree — *Starfield COEX Mall in Gangnam, Seoul at Christmas*

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Starfield Library Seoul vs Suwon Starfield Library

The advantage of Gangnam’s Starfield Library is that it is much easier to get than Suwon if you are staying in downtown Seoul.

That said, we think Suwon Starfield is probably the more impressive space as it is much bigger spanning four stories compared to the two stories of the original Seoul Starfield Library.

Plus what makes Suwon even more Instagrammable is the incredible rooftop installation “The Planets” by the famous Canadian novelist and designer Douglas Coupland.

Suwon’s reading space also has a colossal central seating area which looks cool plus lots of little booths and nooks hidden across its various levels looking out over the library.

There is even a super cool Starfield Vinyl LP cafe where you can listen to unlimited LPs for the price of a coffee, looking out over the library. And yes, they lots of K-Pop records too

Starfield Suwon Mall in Suwon Starfield Vinyl LP cafe — *Starfield Vinyl LP cafe at Starfield Suwon Mall in Suwon*

Starfield Suwon is now also officially the largest library in Korea so if you can make the trip to Suwon it is worth – especially when combined with Suwon’s Hwaseong Fortress.

South Korea Hallyu tip – after you’ve been to the library, head across to the London Bagel Museum, one of Korea’s most popular chain cafes. Read our guide here >