The Convenience Store of Inconvenience 2 (Hardcover Lenticular Limited Edition)

Author Kim Ho-yeon · Publisher Namu Yeop Euija · Published 2024-12-16 · ISBN 9791161572062

About the Book

Welcome back.
This is ALWAYS Convenience Store in Cheongpa-dong.

After more than a year since its publication, Kim Ho-yeon's novel, "The Inconvenient Convenience Store," has continued to receive readers' love and maintain its position at the top of bestseller lists, now returning with its second installment. "The Inconvenient Convenience Store," which warmly and humorously depicts the lives of our neighbors struggling through difficult times, set in a small convenience store in an alley in Cheongpa-dong, achieved remarkable feats in the first half of 2022, securing the No. 1 spot on the overall bestseller lists compiled by Kyobo Bookstore, Youngpoong Bookstore, and Yes24, and selling 700,000 copies. It was selected as Yes24's 'Book of the Year' in 2021, and in 2022, it was successively chosen as 'Book of the Year' by citizens in 25 local governments across the country, with interest and enthusiasm for the novel continuing to this day.

The story of the first book, which began with Dokgo, a homeless man from Seoul Station, working as a night-shift part-timer at the convenience store, delivered unexpected humor and gentle感動 with its warm embrace. "The Inconvenient Convenience Store 2" continues the wit and deep insight of its predecessor, drawing readers in with an even richer story. The novel begins by sketching the convenience store on a summer day, a year and a half after the events of the first book. Since then, the world has changed, and so has the ALWAYS convenience store in Cheongpa-dong in various ways. The description of having to wear masks even in suffocating heat in the opening suggests that COVID-19 exists in the reality of the novel. Seon-suk, who was frustrated by conflict with her son, has become the manager, and Ms. Yeom's troublesome son, Minsik, who used to pester her to sell the convenience store, is now the owner. While he's technically the owner, Minsik has no interest in management and only focuses on reducing costs like weekly holiday pay, while touting profits, making it truly a 'genuinely inconvenient' convenience store. Then, when Mr. Kwak, who had taken over Dokgo's night shift, quits and a new night part-timer is sought, the convenience store once again undergoes a change.

The new part-timer is a burly man in his 40s whose imposing demeanor and actions remind one of someone else. He boasts an impressive array of part-time experiences, almost like a human "alba-mon" (part-time monster), yet he's clumsy at convenience store tasks. What's more, he's an uncontrollable chatterbox and busybody, often earning scoldings from manager Seon-suk. Regardless, he wears a nametag with the nickname "Hong Geun-bae" (instead of his real name Hwang Geun-bae) and leisurely greets customers, watching over the convenience store nights.

A place where hearts gather, stories accumulate, and tears and laughter erupt.
The deeper story of the inconvenient convenience store, which you keep wanting to visit, begins!

Geun-bae approaches customers and colleagues at the convenience store with surprising friendliness, listening to their stories. Sojin, a job-seeking colleague who, after repeatedly failing to find a job, almost fell victim to a notoriously exploitative "black company" and considers herself a pushover; President Choi of a nearby meat restaurant, who worries every night as his business suffers due to COVID-19 social distancing, drinking alone at the convenience store's outdoor tables; Mingu, a high school student whose home environment is poor and who is hurt by his parents' frequent arguments, spending more time at home due to remote learning. Geun-bae's interest in them is sometimes perceived as "latte" (boomer-like advice), "nosiness," or "annoying bragging," but his "well-intentioned sincerity" ultimately reaches them. He even manages to move the heart of Minsik, the owner, who is full of gangster-like bravado and pretense.
When Geun-bae offers a light brown drink to Sojin, who is crying in distress; when he raises a toast with a beer-like drink beside President Choi, who is drinking alone; when he shares recently expired snacks with Mingu, who comes to the convenience store every day to escape his home and the heat – Dokgo invariably overlaps in the reader's mind. Indeed, Geun-bae often thinks of Dokgo in the quiet dawn hours.

Where is the man who guarded the dawn here a year and a half ago, recovering his memories? He said he spent a warm winter here; where could he be in this sweltering summer? This convenience store, which is so cool it's almost chilly, was like a warm stove in the winter when he was here… Was it really? Geun-bae projected Dokgo's image into various parts of the convenience store. It wasn't easy, but that was his job. (Page 164)

What is his connection to Dokgo? What led him to this convenience store? Where has Ms. Yeom, who shared a friendship with Dokgo, gone, entrusting the convenience store to her son? As the curiosity intensifies, the mysteries are solved one by one, and the novel dramatically converges with the story of the previous book.

A light guarding life, an outpost protecting hope

The narrative style, where the main character changes in each of the eight episodes, the vibrant characters who seem to exist somewhere in reality, and the powerful storytelling that immerses one into the story immediately, remain consistent. It is no exaggeration to say that all the characters in "The Inconvenient Convenience Store 2" are going through a season of hardship. Even the cheerful and carefree Geun-bae, who repeatedly chants "Comparison is cancer, worry is poison," is no exception. The global disaster of the pandemic brought them trials and worries, demanded exploration, made them revisit neglected matters, and made them think about real life. Amidst this, they share their pain, change, rise, and dream. They cherish small connections and find courage. And they strive to laugh together again.
As Ms. Yeom says, "I wanted that place, always lit up 24 hours a day, to guard my life like a police outpost," the small convenience store in the alley becomes an outpost of hope for the owner, staff, and customers alike, overcoming hardship and disconnection.

Table of Contents

Manager Oh Seon-suk
Soul Snack
Kkon-dae of Kkon-dae
Two Plus One
Night Convenience Store
Owner Part-timer
ALWAYS
The Inconvenient Convenience Store

Acknowledgements