Starfield Library | COEX Mall, Seoul | Free Check-in + Giant Book Wall and Stunning Night View

#9月好地方2025
Walking into Starfield Library at night for the first time, the massive, curved book walls felt like two warm boats anchored beneath a silver, wavy ceiling. When the light strips illuminated, the entire atrium resembled the pages of an open book. Although it's an open space within a shopping mall, it possesses the orderly atmosphere of a library: people keep their voices down, read on the stairs, or simply gaze up at the "ripples" in the ceiling. My favorite angle is to shoot from the escalator's starting point, capturing the curved book wall, the escalator's movement, and the roof's texture all in one frame. Another angle involves finding a symmetrical point on the second-floor landing, allowing for a "hugging" effect between the two book walls.

Practical Tips: The crowds tend to lighten after 8:00 PM, but they're still quite crowded on weekends (⚠️ note that the store is only open until 8:30 PM). The warm lighting on the book walls complements skin tones beautifully. To "blur" out the crowds, try using the railings for a high vantage point, avoiding the throngs below. There are seating and a reading area on site, making it a relaxing 20-minute retreat after a tiring day. Grabbing a latte from the nearby coffee counter and then returning to the terrace to gaze at the wall of books was the most relaxing pace of my visit. Overall, it's not a library for intensive reading, but more like a public living room where beauty and everyday life intertwine: shoppers, photographers, and readers coexist, yet the place remains peaceful.

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Transportation
• From Samseong Station (Subway Line 2): Take Exit 5/6 into the COEX Mall underground connecting passage. Follow the signs for "Starfield Library / 별마당도서관" and walk for about 5–10 minutes. It's located in the atrium on the first basement level.
• From Bongeunsa Station (Subway Line 9): Take Exit 7, which connects to COEX Mall. It's an 8–12-minute walk indoors. •Taxi: Look for "Starfield COEX Mall." After getting off the taxi on the ground floor, take the escalator from the mall entrance down to the B1 atrium. You'll see it.
•Car Parking: The COEX parking lot has plenty of spaces, but it tends to be full during peak hours on holidays. Taking the subway is recommended for the most convenient travel experience.

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Recommendation
1. Free, high-quality photo op: The architectural language is striking, and the night view is even more captivating.
2. Suitable for both hot and cold weather: A perfect stopover for escaping the summer heat and staying warm in the winter.
3. Friendly circulation: The escalators and platforms offer multiple angles, allowing even beginners to capture stunning photos.
4. Convenient location: The COEX Aquarium is on the same floor, and Bongeunsa Temple is within walking distance, making it a perfect way to combine a full night's itinerary.

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Tips
• For photos of the "empty space": Best time to visit on weekdays is within 30 minutes of opening or an hour before closing. • Photography composition: Use a low angle to capture the S-line of the escalator, and a high angle to capture the symmetry of the two towers. Use a wide-angle lens on your phone to better capture the roof texture.
• Etiquette: Keep your voice down and avoid standing in the middle of the stairs for long periods of time. Give people who are reading space.