The spectacular Starfield Library in Seoul was a sensation from the moment it opened. Its dramatic design and unexpected location in the middle of the huge Starfield COEX Mall attracted bibliophiles, selfie-takers and tourists from all over the globe.
There’s no doubt you’ll be impressed by it too.
In this post, you’ll learn exactly what makes this library so incredibly photo-worthy, the best time to go, how to get there, and how to get the most out of your visit.
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ATTR_NAME: Starfield Library ATTR_DESC: A stunning, open-air cultural book space located right inside Starfield COEX Mall. ATTR_STREET: 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu ATTR_LOCALITY: Gangnam-gu ATTR_REGION: Seoul ATTR_HOURS_SCHEMA: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00 ATTR_FREE: true MAIN_TITLE: 📚 Starfield Library: Quick Guide & Essential Info INTRO_START Starfield Library is an absolute must-see when you’re hanging out in Gangnam. It’s tucked right inside Starfield COEX Mall, so it’s super easy to pair with a day of shopping or a trip to Bongeunsa Temple across the street. Just remember, it gets packed with people looking for that perfect Instagram shot, so arrive early if you want a quieter vibe. INTRO_END LABEL_ENG: English Address: TEXT_ENG: 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul LABEL_KOR: Korean Address: TEXT_KOR: 서울특별시 강남구 영동대로 513 (스타필드 코엑스몰) LABEL_HOURS: Hours: TEXT_HOURS: Open everyday from 10:00 to 22:00 LABEL_FEE: Admission: TEXT_FEE: Free (You don’t need a ticket to wander in) LABEL_TRANS: Best Transport: TEXT_TRANS: Super easy by subway: take Line 2 to Samseong Station (Exits 5 or 6) or Line 9 to Bongeunsa Station (Exit 7) and follow the signs inside the mall. BTN_TEXT: Grab Your Discounted Korea Unlimited Data eSIM Here → BTN_URL: https://creatrip.com/en/spot/list?page=1&order=MOST_VIEWED_IN_A_MONTH&direction=DESC&category=744&utm_source=AFF-recWirkStarfield Library in Seoul | 별마당도서관
The Starfield Library located inside Starfield Coex Mall opened on May 31st, 2017. It wasn’t long before pics of this mind-blowing space started taking over the Instagram feeds of Seoulites everywhere. Currently, there’s a staggering 236k pics tagged with #별마당도서관 – Byeolmadang Library – the Korean name of the Library.
With that kind of hype, it wasn’t long before foreign tourists and expats jumped on the bandwagon. Search for #starfieldlibrary, and you’ll find another 79.8k tagged posts. Here’s why:
- it’s a massive 2 story, 2,800 square metre sprawling space full of light and glass
- 50,000 books fantastically decorate 3 towering bookshelves, each standing a whopping 13 metres tall
- rotating centrepieces have included a kitschy fruit / veggie tree and a gorgeous tower of books
- there are almost 600 domestic and foreign magazines available for browsing
- the owner, Shinsegae, invested 6 billion won to develop and create the Starfield Library
- it will cost 500 million won per year to maintain it
One of the most fascinating things about this book lover’s paradise is that it’s located right in the centre of Asia’s biggest underground shopping complex (for 11 more ideas of thing to do, check out my complete Starfield COEX Mall guide.)
FUN FACT: the Starfield Library is actually credited with singlehandedly increasing chronically low visitor numbers to the Mall since its opening. I’d believe it. Because that place is literally crawling with people now, and it never was before.
Enter the Starfield Library in Suwon
Address: 175 Suseong-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 수원시 장안구 수성로 175 |
The library in Gangnam was so successful, that they went ahead and built another one inside the Starfield Suwon shopping mall.
If possible, the Starfield Library in Suwon is even MORE spectacular than the original, with bookshelves 22-metres high, spanning 4 floors.
It opened on January 26th, 2024, and it’s supposed to be ever so slightly less crowded because of its location outside of the Seoul city limits.
I mean, I haven’t even made it out there yet!
How to go to the Starfield Library in Gangnam
Address: 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 강남구 영동대로 513
Starfield Library’s location smack dab in the centre of Starfield COEX Mall is part of what makes it special. You can’t miss it… even if you have a terrible sense of direction like I do. You’ll literally run into it from every hallway in the mall.
The easiest and most convenient way of getting to the Starfield Library is via Seoul subway. You can easily reach it from 2 separate subway lines.
Line 2: This is the closest subway line to the library. Get off at Samseong station Exit 6, and enter COEX Mall. There’s clear signage directing you to the library, but like I said… you really can’t miss it. All roads in the mall lead to the Starfield Library.
Line 9: Get off at Bongeunsa Station, and take Exit 1, 6, or 7. It’ll take you approximately 10-15 minutes to walk to the Starfield Library from this stop. If you’re planning to check out Coex Aquarium at the same time, Bongeunsa is the closer stop.
What to do at the Starfield Library?
The Starfield Library has 2 separate floors, which can be accessed using escalators inside the library itself, or from outside if you’re on ground level.
B1 Floor
Aside from gawking at those colossal bookshelves and taking selfies, you can also do traditional library type things. 😉
There’s a huge number of books covering pretty much every topic under the sun, which you’ll mostly find on the B1 level. However, since you can’t actually check books out of this library, your time might be better spent browsing through the 600 magazines on offer instead.
There’s also a rotating schedule of author readings, talks and lectures that takes place on this level. All of these are free and you just might stumble upon one when you visit.
First Floor
When you need a rest, you can head up to the second floor for coffee and cake at Billy Angel Cake Company, pick up some snacks at the E-Mart convenience store, or enjoy some fine chocolate at Teuscher.
And yes, you can take whatever book or magazine you’re reading with you to these locations. You can also exit the library on this level.
COEX AQUARIUM | After seeing the Starfield Library, head to one of the largest and most popular aquariums in Seoul, with over 40,000 sea animals, and so many sharks. See details here.
Visiting Tips for the Starfield Library
The Starfield Library in Gangnam is more of a cultural space, than a traditional library. Don’t go there expecting a quiet, reserved space to meditate on the words in front you.
People go there to meet friends, snap photos and take thousands of selfies. Yes, there are a few hardy bookworms actually reading, but if you have trouble concentrating in noisy environments, it’s definitely not the best choice for you.
If you’d like to see the library at a quieter time, head there during the weekday, as close to opening time as possible (that’s 10AM).
For some really cool pictures, get on one of the multiple escalators in the space, and take shots while riding up and down them.
Where to Stay near Starfield Library
This is a popular area of the city to use as a base for traveling. It has excellent transit links, and is located right next to Seoul’s City Air Terminal, where it’s possible to catch direct limousine buses to Incheon Airport. This is the bus I always take to Incheon myself.
There are several hotels within a 10 minute walk or actually connected to the Starfield COEX Mall complex. However, there aren’t a ton of true budget options in this area. You’ll have to stay a little further away from the main hub if you have a strict budget.
Luxury Options
- Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas: Directly connected to the mall and Samseong Station underground. This five-star property offers sophisticated modern rooms, impeccable service, and award-winning dining.
- L7 Gangnam by Lotte: Located one subway stop away at Seolleung Station. This trendy, sleek lifestyle hotel sits directly next to the entrance of the serene Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs.
Mid-Range Options
- Shilla Stay Samseong: A 1-minute walk from Samseong Station Exit 7. This stylish boutique hotel features a minimalist design and a spectacular rooftop lounge overlooking the Gangnam skyline.
- Hotel NewV: Located right behind L7 Gangnam near Seolleung Station. This quiet, sparkling clean business hotel offers exceptionally spacious rooms and excellent modern amenities at an affordable price point.
Budget-Friendly Option
- Hotel Peyto Samseong: Located directly across the street from the City Airport Terminal. This vibrant, modern hotel is highly efficient, incredibly clean, and keeps you steps away from all the shopping and restaurants at Starfield COEX Mall.
Starfield Library FAQ
LABEL: 📚 People Also Ask FAQ_START Q: Is Starfield Library inside COEX Mall? A: Yeah, it’s right in the middle of the mall. Just remember COEX is an underground shopping spot, so you’ll walk in straight from the subway level. If you get turned around, just look for the signs or check with the info booths—the staff speak great English. FAQ_END FAQ_START Q: What are the hours? A: It’s open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM every single day of the week. If you want to snap photos without a ton of people in your background, I’d suggest getting there right when it opens. FAQ_END FAQ_START Q: Can I bring a laptop to study or work? A: Lots of people do since there are tables, power outlets, and free Wi-Fi. Just a heads-up though: it’s a busy public space, so if you can’t focus when it’s noisy, it probably isn’t the best workspace for you. FAQ_END FAQ_START Q: How do I borrow books from the Starfield Library? A: You actually can’t take them home. All the books, magazines, and newspapers have to stay inside the library for everyone to share. They’ve also got some iPads set up if you’d rather read digitally. FAQ_END FAQ_START Q: Is there an entrance fee? A: Nope, it’s completely free to wander in, hang out, and look around. FAQ_END FAQ_START Q: Are there books in English? A: There’s a tiny section with foreign-language books, but almost everything is in Korean. That said, they always have a ton of English magazines on the shelves if you just want something quick to flip through. FAQ_END FAQ_START Q: Are there children’s books available? A: Yeah, there’s a dedicated kids’ section. Most of the books are in Korean, but they’ve tucked a few English options in there too. FAQ_END HEADING: 🛍️ Finished taking photos? Here’s what to do next inside the mall next. TEASER_START Once you get your shots at the Starfield Library, don’t just head straight back to the subway station. The rest of COEX is a ginormous underground maze filled with awesome clothing shops, a hidden food court with killer local food, and even an aquarium if you want to keep exploring. TEASER_END BTN_TEXT: Check out my Starfield COEX Mall guide, with navigation hacks here → BTN_URL: https://travel-stained.comI originally researched, wrote & published this guide on June 1, 2019. I review & update my content for accuracy regularly. Watch out for copycats.This post was last updated on July 18, 2026. Copyright © 2019–2026 Travel-Stained. All rights reserved.
it looks amazing! But I want to know is = how do you access the books? in the pics it looks like the world’s highest book shelves
Hahahaha – this is the question of the hour, and one I don’t know the answer to! I’m gonna head back to the library and find out the answer. Apparently, there’s a new display in the middle too!
Wish it had been there when I visited! My first stay was so close to the COEX mall, and I would have loved to pop in there to see the library. (Since there was no library, I spent my time on other sightseeing, not being a big mall person!) Very cool.
Between bad weather and air, and Naia’s classes, I’ve spent FAR too much time in the mall for someone who pretty much hates the mall BUT it’s always a pleasure to pass through this library. Anyway, it just gives you a good reason to come back and visit (other than meeting me in person of course – we might even be able to drag that introvert Cheryl out of hiding for you). 😉
I would LOVE to come back and see you, Cheryl, and the library! I’m doing a steady drip, drip, drip job on my husband about a trip to Asia with me. I went to Bhutan without him also, after China, Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, S Korea, etc. in previous years. He’s just so annoying about it, but I do get that Asia takes time, and his job doesn’t allow for as much of it as mine does. Someday …
Husbands ARE incredibly annoying, aren’t they? 😉 One day we shall make it happen… and we can leave all the husbands in a pile somewhere and go have fun.