Dongdaemun-gu hosts book concert featuring actor and author Cha In-pyo; new novel 'Our Neighborhood Library' takes center stage with music, performance and readings
Dongdaemun-gu in Seoul hosted a book concert Tuesday featuring actor and author Cha In-pyo under the theme "We are all authors writing our own stories."
The event centered on Cha's latest novel, "Our Neighborhood Library."
Cha has built an active literary career, having written a range of works including "If We Ever Look at the Same Star," "Mermaid Hunt" and "Their Day."
"If We Ever Look at the Same Star" was selected as required reading at Oxford University, and last year "Mermaid Hunt" earned him the emerging writer prize at the 14th Hwang Sun-won Literary Award, cementing his reputation as a serious literary voice.
The Dongdaemun Distinguished Lecture took the form of a story concert, blending Cha's talk with music, acting and readings to bring scenes from his work vividly to life. The format deepened audience engagement and gave attendees a chance to reflect on their own lives through the messages embedded in each scene.
Attendees were reminded that even ordinary moments and personal experiences can offer warmth and comfort to others, and that sharing stories can be a source of fresh courage and hope.
Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Choi Dong-min said he hoped the concert would prompt residents "to look back on their lives and think about what kind of story they are writing — and what kind of life they want to build going forward." He added that the district would continue to run a variety of lecture programs "so that residents can find comfort, hope and renewed energy in their everyday lives."
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