Have You Been There?
Neither Monsoons Nor Heatwaves Can Stop It: The Allure of ‘Graphic’

[비즈한국]  It’s scorching hot. When it rains, it pours. The recent weather in Korea, fluctuating between intense heatwaves and a late monsoon season, is truly the worst. While it’s tempting to stay holed up in a room with the air conditioning blasting like a true homebody, the restlessness of staying indoors all day is real. A comic book cafe is an excellent choice for times like these. Today’s recommended spot is ‘Graphic,’ a popular date destination known not just for its vast collection of books, but also for its sophisticated atmosphere and curated menu.

Graphic is a bookstore and cafe that specializes in comics, graphic novels, and art books. As those in the know are aware, there are two locations: the main branch in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, and ‘Graphic by Daeshin’ in Jangji-dong, Songpa-gu. While Graphic by Daeshin is located inside a building, the Itaewon branch captures your attention from the moment you see the exterior.

It looks like a cake stacked in layers, resembling four cylinders sliced cleanly into quarters, and it features a unique, bumpy ceramic texture. With no signs or windows, it’s designed to spark curiosity. You’ll have an "aha!" moment when you learn that architect Kim Jong-yu of OA Lab, who designed the building, envisioned the cross-section of an old dictionary and collaborated with Chinese ceramic artist Wen Ping to create it.

Once inside, you are struck by the massive collection and high-end design. Reading nooks are set up throughout the space with various concepts—bar tables, armchairs, sofas—and different lighting, making the competition to secure your preferred seat quite fierce. With a basic admission fee of 20,000 won (10,000 won after 8 PM), you can read comics and books to your heart’s content without time limits. On the third-floor beverage lounge bar, you can enjoy a variety of drinks along with snacks like candies and caramels, accompanied by music. Alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, cocktails, and whiskey, as well as light snacks, are also available for purchase. For reference, the Itaewon branch is for adults only. Think of it as an adult playground where you can enjoy comics alongside a glass of whiskey in a relaxed, mature fashion.

Of course, what matters most is not just the drinks or snacks, but how satisfied you are with the collection and curation. Graphic organizes books by theme and genre on each floor, making browsing a delight. There are many works you don’t typically encounter, such as independent publications and magazines, and with plenty of staff recommendations and comments, you might find your tastes expanding beyond just reading comics. If you find it hard to choose a book, don’t hesitate to ask the staff for a recommendation.

‘Graphic by Daeshin,’ located in the basement of the Daeshin Wirye Center in Jangji-dong, has a different atmosphere from the Itaewon branch. It features a tiered, high-ceiling structure, and you enter the space by heading down stairs from the first floor. It offers various atmospheres, including fireplace views, garden views, and booth-style seating. The most popular area is the main hall, where two-person sofa seats are arranged along the steps like box seats in an opera house. Unlike the windowless Itaewon branch, it features large windows that make the atmosphere shift dramatically between day and night, and it even includes a laptop room for those who need to work.

Another key difference is that minors are allowed, and you get unlimited access to pizza and ramen in addition to drinks and snacks. Because of this, many parents bring their children during school breaks. A day pass is 45,000 won (37,000 won for preschoolers), leading many families to stay for extended periods (hourly rate is 15,000 won).

While the price might seem steep at first, considering the unlimited pizza, snacks, and drinks, it’s quite good value. However, since many people use the day pass for long periods, entry can be competitive, so making a reservation via the CatchTable app is essential. With unlimited food and drink, those—both adults and children—with low self-control should be careful!

If you haven’t experienced Graphic yet, why not escape the heatwave and monsoon rains by visiting this week? Anyone who enjoys comics and a great atmosphere will certainly love it. Given that a job posting for a bartender at ‘Graphic Hangang branch’ recently appeared on their Instagram, it seems a Hangang location is also in the works. As a fan of Graphic, I’m already excited to see how attractive that space will be.