สตูดิโอเก็บความทรงจำแห่งเกาะเชจู

by Heo Taeyeon, มินตรา อินทรารัตน์ (Translator)

สัมผัสสายลมอันสดชื่นบนเกาะเชจู ชื่นชมธรรมชาติแสนสวยงาม กินอาหารทะเลสดใหม่ และมาเก็บภาพความทรงจำที่ "สตูดิโอถ่ายภาพฮาคูดะ"

สตูดิโอถ่ายภาพแห่งหนึ่งตั้งอยู่บนหน้าผาในหมู่บ้านหมึกยักษ์บนเกาะเชจู ย็อนเซบีจับพลัดจับผลูได้เข้าทำงานที่สตูดิโอถ่ายภาพเล็ก ๆ บนเกาะแห่งนี้ และได้เจอลูกค้ามากหน้าหลายตาที่ต้องการเก็บภาพความทรงจำอันล้ำค่า

ทั้งเหล่าคุณป้านักบิดที่ถอดบทบาทคุณแม่มาเที่ยวกับเพื่อนคนสำคัญ ว่าที่บ่าวสาวที่มาขอให้ช่วยถ่ายภาพพรีเวดดิ้งแบบเท่ ๆ ไม่เหมือนใคร และกลุ่มวัยรุ่นที่ผ่อนคลายความเครียดและความกดดันด้วยกิจกรรมสุดท้าทาย

"ถ้าผ่านไปหนึ่งปี ไม่สิ สักสิบปี คุณจะคิดว่า ดีจริง ๆ ที่ถ่ายรูปนี้เอาไว้"

Genres: Fiction, Cozy, Asian Literature, Slice Of Life, Asia

392 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2023

Reviews

[Fiebre Lectora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reseña completa: https://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/20...

Jebi, cansada de la ruidosa y abarrotada Seúl y de su aburrido trabajo en un estudio de fotografía, decide dejar su trabajo y pasar el verano en la preciosa isla de Jeju, pero el día en que debería volver a su vida real, pierde todas sus pertenencias, lo que la termina llevando hasta una pequeña tienda de fotografía, y se convierte en su segunda oportunidad en la vida, que la llevará a toparse con distintas personas, como un anciano expolicía, buceadoras locales, familias..., que le harán cambiar su modo de pensar y de ver la realidad.

Ay, pues me ha parecido una historia encantadora, y eso que en ocasiones este tipo de novelas asiáticas me cuestan un poquito porque a veces carecen de un desenlace como tal, pero en esta ocasión me ha parecido la mar de redonda.

[Lucía Cafeína · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pues ha sido monísimo. No se ha desarrollado para nada como esperaba, aunque sí comparte con otros libros coreanos que he leído el hecho de que aparezcan un porrón de personajes secundarios y dejen su impronta en los protagonistas, y ha sido precioso, en esta ocasión siento que todo ha resultado mucho más redondo y conmovedor.

[Nailya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Healing novels are really hit and miss for me. All of them are formulaic and rarely particularly inspiring, but the best ones can make me feel relaxed and immersed in slice of life storytelling. The best ones also make me invested in the specific hobby, small business idea or location they are based around. If I don't finish a healing novel inspired to sign up to a pottery class or visit an indie bookshop (or whatever the core concept might be), I consider that a failure in this type of novel.

Hakuda Photo Studio was a frustrating read, because Her Taeyeon really tried to shake up the stale formula and explore substantive themes through the various scenarios at hand, but the reading experience was not very inspiring. The protagonist is a Seoul girl disappointed with her creatively dead job at a baby photo studio in the big city, and she decides to extend her vacation in Jeju Island by taking up a a job at a recently opened studio there. Right off the bat, it is giving more Hometown Cha Cha Cha than Before the Coffee Gets Cold. The narrative tries very hard to be a romcom and to amuse the reader by the contrast between the protagonist's Seoul ways and the life of the Jeju. The insider/outsider dichotomy and the question of belonging is explored both playfully and in a more serious way through discussions of dialect, tourist spot strategic essentialism and Jeju customs. The book truly is a love letter to Jeju, as the author's affection for the island shines through. About halfway through, the book takes a more serious turn, exploring sombre issues of unwanted pregnancy, war and disability rights. The 'quirky customer' formula is at the core of the book, but in each story Her Taeyeon tries to do something slightly more interesting and different. In addition to the usual weddings and old friend reunions, we have stories centring war photography and child disability.

Despite all these positive things, I struggled to enjoy or be engaged by this book. I don't expect stellar prose from healing novels, but the writing style in this one was particularly dull and mushy. Despite appreciating what the author was doing with the individual narratives, I did not find any of them particularly engaging. Most importantly, I did not walk out of this book with a burning desire to learn photography, or even to visit my local photo studio. I was struggling to motivate myself to pick the book up and was relieved when it ended.

[Sica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d give this 3.8 stars but I round up to 4.
While I love stories set in Jeju and I really loved the setting - especially the café / photostudio / restaurant, I did not enjoy the story of our main protagonist Jebi. She repeats herself quite often. Also some stories didn’t connect very smoothly. But this is still a very good, cozy summer read :)

[Kanyada Kongtrakool · Rating 3 out of 5]

ช่วงแรกพาง่วงหน่อย แต่ครึ่งหลังค่อนข้างดี

ย่อ: ตัวเอก “เชบี” ได้มาทำงานที่สตูดีโอแห่งหนึ่งในเกาะเชจู เธอได้ทำงานกับ “ซ็อกย็อง” ผู้เป็นเจ้าของ ทั้ง 2 ได้พบเจอกับลูกค้ามากมาย และเกิดเรื่องราวที่น่าประทับใจ ซึ่งส่วนใหญ่เกี่ยวข้องกับความสัมพันธ์ในครอบครัว รวมถึงการมีบทบาทสำคัญของเชบี ในประเพณีอันยิ่งใหญ่ ส่งหมึกยักษ์ลงทะเล ของเกาะเชจู ทั้งๆที่เป็นคนนอก

เนื้อหาใส่เรื่องราวเข้ามาเยอะ ละเอียดในจุดที่ไม่จำเป็น เช่น เรื่องวิชาการ ทฤษฎี ประเพณีต่างๆ แต่ไม่ลงดีเทลในสิ่งที่น่าสนใจกว่า เช่น ปมและอดีตของตัวละครแบบเจาะลึกในแบบที่ผู้อ่านอยากรู้ บางตอนมีตัวละครบางตัวปรากฎขึ้นอย่างไม่มีปี่มีขลุ่ย แล้วก็หายไปซะงั้น

แต่ก็ยังอ่านสนุก ในแบบที่ต้องใช้สมาธิมากขึ้นกว่าปกตินิดนึงค่ะ เพราะเล่มก็ค่อนข้างหนาด้วย

ใครสนใจเรื่องราวของเชจู หรือความท้องทะเล น่าจะชอบ
โดยเฉพาะซีนของเรื่อง ที่เป็นสตูดิโอถ่ายภาพ ที่ยังไม่ค่อยเจอในหนังสือเล่มไหน ทำให้น่าติดตามพอสมควร ส่วนตัวชอบเนื้อเรื่องที่ตัวเอกทั้ง 2 พยายามปรับบริการจากถ่ายรูปอย่างเดียว มามีบริการอื่นๆที่น่าประดับใจเพิ่มขึ้น และชอบตอนจบค่ะ

[ANKO · Rating 4 out of 5]

เป็นเล่มที่เราชอบมาก ได้ vibe ที่อบอุ่น
อ่านไปนึกภาพถึงเกาะเชจูในซีรี่ส์เลย

[Barry Welsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listen to my review on YouTube here - https://youtu.be/hsHLE34nrwA?si=jOVpx...

[Paul Fulcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Hakuda Photo Studio? I was hoping for a cafe . . .'

Jebi had huffed and puffed her way up the hill to the building. Panting, she wiped the sweat off her forehead and looked around. Two palm trees stood tall in the garden. Climbing the stone wall were sky-blue hydran-geas in full bloom. In the distance, she could see the brilliant blue sea. Jebi tugged at her sweaty shirt and fanned herself. Cautiously, she walked through the gate. Through the window, the interior looked like a typical cafe. A clock on the wall pointed to half past two.

언덕에 올라 제비는 숨을 헐떡거렸다. 허리를 굽히고 이마의 땀을 닦으며 돌담에 싸인 건물을 기웃거렸다. 마당에는 두 그루의 야자나무가 있고, 하늘색 수국이 덩어리져 돌담 위로 흐드러졌다. 그 너머에 코발트빛 바다가 탁 트여 펼쳐졌다. 제비는 땀 젖은 셔츠를 손으로 들썩거렸다. 제주의 여름 햇살은 대단히 강렬해 젖은 옷이 금세 말랐다. 주춤거리며 제비는 출입구 쪽으로 다가섰다. 간판에는 〈하쿠다 사진관〉이라 적혀 있지만 창 안 풍경은 카페 같았다. 벽에 걸린 시계가 2시 반을 가리켰다.

If I set off soon I should still make my 4pm flight.

Hakuda Photo Studio (2025) is Shanna Tan's translation of 하쿠다 사진관 (2022) by 허태연 (Her Taeyeon)

It opens with the main character, Jebi (제비) coming to the end of a month-long holiday on the idllyic island of Jeju (where I am reading this book).

The cobalt-blue sea stretched out from the sandy beach and fluffy clouds hung high in the sky. Under the midday sun, the water sparkled. `I don't want to go home.' Jebi sighed, her mood as heavy as the back-pack pressing on her shoulders. All around her tourists were posing for photos in colourful beachwear. The air hummed with their happiness. Jebi thought back to when she'd first arrived at Jeju Island: she'd enjoyed herself just the same, then. Has it been a month already? It feels like yesterday.

Her phone is broken in an accident on a beach and seeking sanctuary as much as anything she journeys in land in search of a cafe, where she comes across 대왕물꾸럭마을 - Daewang Mulkkureok village - where a sign explains:

Mulkkureok is Jeju dialect for 'octopus'. Daewang Mulkkureok village - Giant Octopus village - boasts of the best catches of octopuses on the entire island. Since the Joseon dynasty, we've been famed for producing the best quality gifts, fit for a king. According to Gyuhap Cheongseo — the encyclopaedia de-tailing advice and knowledge for women — the egg of the giant octopus is a rare and precious medicine. The octopus is known to be a highly intelligent animal. According to fables passed down for generations, a giant octopus once saved a haenyeo — the female divers of the island — from drowning, while the gaps in the coastal sand dunes are believed to be tracks left behind by the giant octopus. Every year, the village observes a closed season when the hunting of octopuses is forbidden. To pray for a bountiful harvest during open season, a mulkkureok festival is held.

There what she thinks is a cafe is - see the opening quote - primarily a, not very successful, photo studio. Interrupting a 백일 photo shoot for a baby’s 100th day celebration, she saves the day by calming the baby, and she ends up deciding not to travel back to Seoul, where she has little to await her (and a trauma whose nature only becomes clear over time) and stays in the village as an assistant at the studio.

In many respects this is standard Korean healing fiction. But what elevates it significantly over most peers is the strong cultural angle, particularly the exploration of the Jeju landscape and culture. This is a novel where Instagram marketing strategies sit alongside a respectful exploration of shamanistic customs.

And the use of dialect (Jeju and others) plays a key role, ably rendered and glossed in translation, starting with the name of the photo studio and the novel’s title, from the Jeju-dialect version of 하다, 하쿠다:

‘There’s something I’ve been wondering. What does “Hakuda” mean? Is it a Japanese word?’‘Aha!’ Seokyeong smiled as he untied his apron. ‘It’s a Jeju Island word – from their dialect here. It means something like “I’ll do it”.’‘So . . . the “I’ll Do It” Photo Studio?’ Jebi frowned slightly. Seokyeong laughed. He stood upright and gave her a little bow. ‘I’ll do my best for any shoot. That’s what I hope the name tells people.’

Worth reading, and even more so worth visiting the beautiful Jeju.

[Edith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this book through my Spotify audiobook recommendations. I hadn't heard of this book before then, but I really liked the cover and thought the synopsis was interesting. I decided to listen to at least a chapter and I ended up really enjoying it, so I finished listening to the entire novel. I love how the author made all of the characters - even the ones just visiting Jeju - seem like family. I would've loved to have an actual copy of this book so that I could highlight and reread some of the great advice in it. This is a great book for people who want to read something comforting with summer vibes and not too much drama/conflict.

[Smitchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute and cosy story that is a love letter to the Korean island of Jeju. Jebi is a 20-something young woman who, while having a summer holiday, gets a call from the friend she was supposed to be moving in with as soon as she gets home to Seoul telling her that actually her boyfriend will be moving in instead. At a bit of a loss, insult is added to injury when she and her backpack are knocked into the sea. She is fine but her phone is drowned, along with her access to her bank account and plane ticket! Looking for a phone shop Jebi finds instead the Hakuda Photo Studio and Cafe, run by the enthusiastic but not very business minded photographer Seokyeong. With nothing to return to Seoul for Jebi finds herself working and settling into life on Jeju Island.

The story itself is cute but also has times of feeling episodic, with some chapters dropping random information on the reader out of the blue and then hardly touching on that information again. There was often very little emotional or tension build up in the storytelling like when someone simply referred to as "the tattooed guy" turns out to be Jebi's ex-boyfriend who dropped her like a hot potato when she got pregnant and had a baby that she gave up for adoption. The baby had not been referenced AT ALL up until that moment, we never learn the ex's name, and the whole thing felt like the author had suddenly realised they needed a twist . I cannot tell if this was a translational error, or the authors style, or simply a style of writing that might be popular in Korea. Or even if the author simply spends too much time watching K-dramas or Days of Our Lives.

I cannot tell if the issues I have with this book is due to:
A) Translational issues -several times I noted words that just didn't quite work or were wrong like calling scallop roe written as scallop hoe for the first half of the book (I was reading a proof so these issues might be fixed for publication). The writing also didn't feel dynamic, with a distinct lack of emotional tension of expression, or conversely, sometimes there seemed to be soap-opera-esque expressions that were out of proportion.
B) Cultural assumptions by the author and / or translator that I, as a non Korean person, just didn't know - it would be handy to have a little Korean word guide at the start of the book, as multiple times I had to stop reading to google cultural references or standardised nick-names. Some could be somewhat assumed from context but other times the phrasing meant the reference wasn't obvious (to me, who is very unfamiliar with Korean culture).
C) The random info dumps that made each chapter feel episodic like the diary entry that reveals Seokyeong was once married with a kid - never mentioned again, or the former detective that rolls up, causally admits to covering up for a serial killer and then just goes about his life!, or the formerly mentioned adopted baby, or Seokyeong's little sister . It really did feel like the author was writing this book with the idea it would be turned into a TV series. I don't know, maybe it has been a must watch in Korea?

[Elaine YokeLin Yeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is told through the lens of the female lead, Yeon Jebi, a 25-year-old backpacker in Jeju Island. An unfortunate incident at the beach and a colleague who let her down, left Jebi with no money, no job and no place to live. She also had a lot of emotional baggages.
While looking for directions to go to airport so she could board her flight back to Seoul, Jebi chanced upon the male lead of the novel, Lee Seokyeong, a 34-year-old handsome photographer and his photo studio (which is the namesake of this novel). Seokyeong was kind and talented in photography but he was terrible at managing business. Jebi, on the other hand, had more logical and business sense and she helped him to market his talents and thus expanded his photography business.
Jebi, while having qualifications in early childhood education, did not really pursue a career in this field. Instead she went into a job as photo studio assistant which paid peanuts and not improving her depression a bit while in Seoul. Because Jebi, while in university, had met a wrong man who got her pregnant and abandoned her, leaving her to give birth to her daughter alone and struggling to work and care for the daughter. Jebi had no family other than her cold mean grandmother, who totally ignored her and refused to care for the baby. In the end, Jebi had to give her baby daughter up for adoption after 6 months and she never really recovered from that loss and guilt. So when Jebi met Seokyeong, she found him to be warm, patient and caring and initially did have a crush on him.
Lee Seokyeong, on the other hand, was from Jeju Island during his earlier childhood years but left to go to Seoul. After getting his photography professional qualifications and accolades, he came back to Jeju Island to set up his photography business, get married and set up his family. Seokyeong suffered a childhood tragedy where his younger sister drowned during his charge and his father, unable to handle his daughter's loss, died soon after. Although his mother lived on for many more years, she did not really forgive him for his death. His mother often lamented that she did not take much photos of her children which was the main reason he took up photography. He wanted to give people chances to retain memories through photography.
Seokyeong's reaction to his sister's death (not entirely his fault) formed the basis of his love and care for Jebi. Jebi shared his late sister's name and she was born about the same time as his sister's death and he always had the feeling that Jebi was the second chance given to him to redeem his guilt. Throughout the story implicitly, we readers will come to realise that Seokyeong had always treated Jebi as his younger sister and capable assistant.
Seokyeong's reaction to his father's death was that he would strive to be a better father to his son than his father. And into this story, we would learn that Seokyeong's one true love was a Jeju native who was also a divorcee, Go Yanghee. Yanghee had a 7-year-old son, Dongwon, from her 1st marriage. Jeju Island, in specifically, Giant Octopus Village (a fictional village where the story was being narrated) had a custom where for any outsider to become truly accepted by the place, was to marry one of their people - to become a koendang (becoming bonded to the village). Yanghee, being divorced and the only young woman (rather close in age to Soekyeong), was the best choice for Seokyeong to become a koendang to the place.
While Seokyeong fell hard for Yanghee at first sight (she was really pretty and intelligent), Yanghee, due to being deeply hurt and betrayed by her first marriage, could not bring herself to believe that Seokyeong's love for her was true and sincere. She always believed that he was only wanting to marry her to become koendang, to become part of them. Even Seokyeong's love, care and being a father figure to her son, Dongwon, did not convince her. Yanghee, due to fighting for the survival of herself and her son, had become cynical towards life. You can see that for most part of the story, Yanghee kept Seokyeong at bay. But Seokyeong, in terms of his love for Yanghee, stayed steady and working towards to winning her trust. Even Jebi joined in to try to convince Yanghee of Seokyeong's love. Jebi had eventually realised that the care that Seokyeong shown her was that of an older brother and employer. (Seokyeong was very careful to keep it this way while he went all out to win Yanghee over).
So did Seokyeong win Yanghee over in the end? Yes, he did manage to make a dent to her hardened heart - at least we have the idea he will finally able to start dating her.
This story also deals with the stories of other people:
1. A group of ladies in their 50s having a getaway of their life in Jeju Island, reliving their school days fun. Seokyeong and Jebi provided the platform through their photography and other anciliary services (Jebi's brainchild).
2. A couple and their 100-day-old baby taking baby portraits
3. A couple taking their marriage photos, reaffirmed their love and commitment to each other and to the reason that they are getting married, in the process of taking those photos
4. A retired detective, facing up to his guilt of keeping an innocent girl's death under cover for many years through Seokyeong's help in developing an old photo. This incident also helped Seokyeong to face up to his childhood tragedy.
5. A geologist's help to take photos of the landscapes and land composites in that village, leading to Seokyeong meeting his idol, who became his father figure.
6. A young family with a daughter who had anophthalmia ie born without eyes. Interactions with this family had let Yanghee slowly warming up to Seokyeong and Seokyeong to realise that there were a lot of things he was still lacking to become a good father to Dongwon.
Overall, this runaway novel in South Korea is really worth the read. Hope this summary does not spoil too much.

[Neha Garg (thereadingowl_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it’s autumn, the book I have for you today is perfect for summer. You will get such a strong desire to visit a coastal town after reading this one, that you might just book something right away. The book is #HakudaPhotoStudio written by Her Taeyeon, translated by Shanna Tan

#readingowlreviews

I adored this one. It’s like reading a K-Drama. The story is set on Jeju Island so it’s very reminiscent of shows like “Welcome to Samdal-Ri” and “When Life Gives You Tangerines”. It gives you a glimpse into the lives, culture, and traditions of the area. Through Jebi’s experience here, we slowly become a part of this place and hope to be accepted like Jebi is.

Haenyos are a big part of Jeju’s life and they are given their due in this story. Their challenges, traditions, and prayers are very sensitively depicted. People’s trust and beliefs in the giant octopus, in fact the whole festival was an endearing experience.

As for the photo studio itself, I loved the people who came here and their life stories. Their lives match ours in some way or the other. Jebi found comfort and acceptance for her own situation through them and I through Jebi.

It’s not your regular healing fiction. It doesn't have a lot of wisdom nuggets to take away from it. But it’s an endearing story of finding one’s place in life and a family among strangers. Highly recommended.

[Vania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hakuda Photo Studio by Her Tae Yeon
Translated from Korean by Shanna Tan

Short Synopsis:
Jebi escapes burnout in Seoul with a holiday to Jeju Island but ends up missing her flight home. She begins working at Hakuda Photo Studio in a quiet village, photographing locals and visitors. Through these simple daily moments Jebi starts to heal and slowly rediscovers herself.

My Thoughts:
Hakuda Photo Studio was a beautiful and unexpected read. It may seem like a simple slice of life story but it carries subtle yet profound life lessons. The story does not focus on just one protagonist, but it highlights several characters with their own challenges which makes the community feel alive and authentic. In fact, it gives off a strong sense of kampung village spirit which I found both healing and nostalgic.

On top of that, the book also gave me a deeper appreciation of Jeju culture, which I found both interesting and insightful. The slightly darker undertones surprised me, but at the same time, they added emotional depth and made the warm moments even more impactful. It kind of reminded me of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and Our Blues, but with its own quieter charm and emotional layers.

Overall, this was a comforting and insightful read that stayed with me long after I finished it. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys heartfelt stories about life community and quiet resilience.

Overall Rating:
⭐️ :5/5

[Naadhira Zahari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hakuda Photo Studio by Her Taeyeon​ started as a summer holiday in Jeju Island that ultimately led the main character, Jebi to rediscovering herself, a forever home and found family. This book is so cozy and so full of the imageries of this beautiful island that it felt so real and that I was there along with the characters.

It's been awhile since I last picked up a book I truly enjoyed. I love that this story don't just focus on the characters that come and go the photo studio but that the people working and living around there plays an important role to the story too. I was captivated by the stories and scenes that play out because they're different and very interesting to read. Let's just say that this book is none like any other.

Reading this book makes me want to book a flight to Jeju Island again because the way the author describes the place, the characters and some of their cultural beliefs makes it all the more interesting. It didn't just touch the place on the surface level but actually went really deep.

The reason why I deducted half a star is because I really thought the romance would play out as I imagined but it was nothing like I expected. That's on me, I suppose. But what's not on me are the visible errors I spotted throughout the book. Call it an occupational hazard but I simply couldn't look away.

All in all, I highly recommend you to read this book.

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and uplifting storyline in a beautiful mesmerising setting

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Biblioteca Parabatai · Rating 3 out of 5]

¡Hola, bibliotecarias!

Hoy vengo con una historia que os va a transportar a un verano perfecto, apacible, con olor a mar y mandarinas.

La tienda de fotografía Hakuda, de la autora Her Taeyeon y publicada por @liraediciones es una preciosa historia cozy coreana.

Nuestra protagonista, Jebi, es una veinteañera que está cansada del ritmo rápido y ruidoso de Seul. Tiene un trabajo en un aburrido estudio fotográfico pero no siente que esté haciendo "nada" con su vida.

En el transporte público ve un anuncio de la hermosa isla de Jeju y decide coger vacaciones e irse un mes a aclararse las ideas.

Lejos de lo que esperaba, el mes pasa rápido y se encuentra con algunas dificultades en el camino. Entre ellas, que se le ha terminado el dinero y sigue sin saber qué hacer con su vida.

Sus pasos la llevan hasta un pueblo de pescadores donde conocerá a Seokyeong, un joven que tiene una tienda de fotografía y que busca personal.

Una historia lindísima donde Jebi irá aprendiendo sobre si misma y sobre la vida conforme vaya conociendo y pasando más tiempo con las gentes del lugar.

[Wes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "When will I get to be the main character in my own life" statement on the backcover is a quite wonderful and introspective statement that encapsulates the struggle of sinking into the form of a background character in life, amid the fear of failure and attempts to meet with our past traumas and societal expectations.

I quite liked how the story was presented and the overall character development, as well as the depictions of the Jeju setting, rural community, and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. Another warm and quite pleasant read in the Healing Fiction genre with neat insights and hope for better tomorrows lived in line with our values.

[Nele Hugger · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice book to take your mind off of things. Whenever I continued reading I came back to Jeju Island and felt like I could smell the salty sea breeze. The octopus festival side story was really entertaining and interesting and I also like each customer story, just wished the character development had a bit more depth and complexity. Was a good read!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars, an enjoyable slice of life novel that reminded me of some K-dramas I’ve watched and liked. I’d be interested to pick up a copy of this one in the original Korean to see how certain emotions or phrases were interpreted. At times the female MC felt overly immature but in a throwaway kind of way, like maybe a couple of lines could have been edited out without losing the thread of the book.

One of the key plot lines about the female MC felt a little uneven, and since it hits somewhat close to home this wasn’t a 5.

[LX · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me a copy!!

3.25 stars!


this was cute and healing as many have said before but for me I just wanted something a little different than what I have read before. but this is nothing against the book itself, just wasn't the right book at the right time

[Ruth Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story about confidence and building a life, with some dark themes. Quite a lot of copy editing errors and typos, I wonder if the translation was rushed. 2.5 rounded up

[Raikeehime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever been on a summer holiday so good you wished it would never end?
That’s the feeling this book captures. Jebi, weary of noisy Seoul and her dull city job, impulsively quits and heads to Jeju Island. After an unfortunate event that made her miss her flight home, Jebi finds herself working in a seaside photo studio. Alongside her new boss, Seokyeong, Jebi spends her days photographing the lives of locals and visitors alike, preserving their memories through pictures while sharing comforting meals at Hakuda Photo Studio.

This story radiates the same cozy, heartwarming vibes that made me think of Hometown Cha Cha Cha. What I loved most was that it didn’t only focus on Jebi, but also on Seokyeong, the clients of the studio, and the locals of Jeju. It’s not written to be dramatic or forcefully inspirational, instead, it feels like people-watching on the pages. I could picture Jeju’s endless blue skies, hear the waves, and even feel the winter chill creeping in. The book also gave glimpses of Jeju’s culture and history, making it such an experience.

After finishing something very dark, this was the perfect balm: simple, soft, and comforting.

If you loved The Healing Season of Pottery or Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, this one belongs on your TBR.

[Los Libros de Blanca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Éste es uno de los primeros libros ambientados en Corea, concretamente en la Isla de Jeju, que he leído, y la verdad es que me ha gustado mucho. A través los ojos de Jebi y Seokjeong, fotógrafo y su asistente, ambos forasteros en el pueblo, vemos las diferentes vidas e historias de varios clientes que acaban por casualidad o no en la tienda de fotografía, mientras ellos tratan de hacerse un hueco en la comunidad. Todo muy cozy y hasta relajante.

[Megan Carr · Rating 2 out of 5]

‘Hakuda Photo Studio’ follows Jebi, a burnt-out woman who stumbles across the titular photography studio when she’s down on her luck on the last day of her holiday on Jeju Island. Jebi has worked in a photography studio before and happens to be good at running social media accounts. All too conveniently this studio is hiring and wouldn’t you know it, the owner, Seokyeong, is terrible at promoting his business. They team up and the story follows them as they photograph a wide variety of people on the island each with their own issues and lessons to be learnt.

The story has a pretty typical formula that’s found in a lot of the recently translated cosy fiction titles- if you’ve read ‘Before The Coffee Gets Cold’, ‘What You Are Looking For Is In The Library’, ‘The Second Chance Convenience Store’ or anything of that ilk you know the vibe- but it somehow manages to fall flat and was a struggle to read. I don’t think the translation was the issue here, rather the writing just feels stunted and disconnected. There’s an attempt at worldbuilding, but Her Taeyeon often jumps from one event to another without a good transition, so I sometimes struggled to connect all of the pieces together. Additionally, I found the main character, Jebi, to be annoying and one dimensional so I just couldn’t root for her- the line “When will I get to be the main character in my own life?” really cemented her as unlikable for me. Particularly in the first half of the story, the supporting characters also just feel awkward, they pop up at random times with random bits of exposition (that arguably aren’t even needed) just to disappear again until Her Taeyeon decides they need to come back and dump more irrelevant information on us. I understand that the author was trying to flesh out what we know about the island and get us to learn about the islanders’ customs and traditions, but it all felt quite unnecessary- most of the time it wasn't woven into the narrative naturally- and I think keeping the story contained to the photo studio and shoot locations only would have worked a lot better.

However, the biggest turn-off for me is that this book deals with subject matters that are far too serious for this genre and style of writing. The book starts off with pretty normal subjects as the focus- squabbling newlyweds, high school friends reuniting for a road trip and divers getting an underwater photo shoot before they return to their office jobs- but then shifts to exploring much more serious themes (don't even get me started on the detective story in Chapter 9). In the latter half of the book, Her Taeyeon attempts to examine themes such as experiencing postpartum depression after an unwanted pregnancy, the trauma associated with giving a child up for adoption and the difficulties of being a single parent but every dissection is too surface level and glossed over too quickly. Those three topics are all brought up and are pretty much ‘resolved’ in a mere five pages, and whilst the author does weave in mentions of the adoption throughout the second half of the book, it does feel heavy-handed and forced, particularly in the final chapter. The book falls into a trap that a lot of Korean healing fiction tends to in that it has very little nuance or subtly in the ‘advice’ being offered or the ‘lessons’ being learnt and, coupled with the fact that it views pretty complex themes through an overly optimistic and extremely simplified lens, the ‘healing’ aspect comes off as patronising and ill-informed, even if it was written with the best intentions.

I feel like ‘Hakuda Photo Studio’ had all the right elements to be another solid entry into the cosy, healing fiction space based on its premise but the preachy, and honestly naïve, writing style just doesn’t work for exploring heavy themes. Additionally, the tonal shifts between chapters could be really jarring at times so there isn't always a good narrative flow. I really wanted to like this book, but it was not an enjoyable read for me- it took me almost two weeks to finish it whereas it would usually only take me 2-3 days for something of the same length in the same genre. If you look at the work episodically instead of as one single narrative it's not so bad and I could see this being a successful K-drama, but as a written piece of media it doesn't quite hit the mark.

Thank you to John Murray Press | John Murray and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

[Майя Ставитская · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty young Chebi is an orphan, and the stigma of orphanhood carries into adulthood. Having had no experience in maintaining and maintaining relationships in childhood, she is lonely. She is hardworking, but she does not know how to plan a budget and build a life strategy. And she's not very good at tactics either. And now, I ran away from Seoul, where I worked in a photo studio, to this island to relax, recover, think about my future life, spent all my money on vacation, and on the day of departure I lost access to a return ticket, money, and communication due to a stupid incident. In fiction, miracles of human participation and kindness do not just happen, they are literally around the corner, Chebi meets his friend in a village with an octopus statue and a house on a cliff.

A novel of several short stories, customers come to the studio every time, each with their own demands and mental traumas, which employees help heal, simultaneously healing their own, and they, of course, have their own sacred wounds, where are they without PTSD these days? Uplifting reading, and in the audio variant from Igor Knyazev - just the joy of listening.

Остановись, мгновенье
Если упорно работаешь ради чего-то, это когда-нибудь тебя спасет.
Начну с того, что развею два заблуждения, связанных с этой книгой. Первое: думаете, тему осьминогов сделала мейнстримом Шелби ван Пелт с "Необычайно умными созданиями"? А вот и нет, несколькими годами раньше наша Анаит Григорян написала своего "Осьминога". Таким образом, кореец Хо Тхэён с романом, в котором значительную роль играют эти, и впрямь, интеллектуалы подводного мира - а вы знаете, что они сгоняют придонных рыб в стаи и руководят их коллективной охотой? - так вот, корейский писатель в русле трендовой осьминожьей темы. Второе, теперь о названии, думаете "Таккуда" - это фамилия владельца или какой-то этноним? Снова нет, это агглютатив (склеенное, как в немецком языке, слово), образованное из "Так куда?" Так куда отправимся теперь?

Я сказала о двух заблуждениях, но пожалуй, будет и третье, тесно связанное со вторым. Если в вашем понимании фотостудия, как в моем из советских времен, с прожектором, пыльными пальмами и ростовыми мягкими игрушками; и даже, если перед вашим мысленным взором встает современное студийное пространство для съемок портфолио - снова не угадали. Да, "Фотостудия Таккуда" проводит для клиентов студийные сессии, но главная их фишка - выездные съемки: на дороге в движении, на пляже, на воде, под водой, в горах - благо, рельеф и расположение туристического острова Чечжудо позволяют. Именно сюда, номинально помощницей фотографа, а в действительности прислугой на все руки устраивается героиня, потерпевшая очередное жизненное крушение.

Молодая симпатичная Чеби сирота, и клеймо сиротства несет во взрослой жизни. Не получив в детстве опыта поддержания и сохранения отношений, она одинока. Трудолюбива, но не умеет планировать бюджет и выстраивать стратегию жизни. Да и с тактикой у нее не то, чтобы очень хорошо. Вот и теперь, сбежала из Сеула, где работала в фотостудии, на этот островок, чтобы отдохнуть, прийти в себя, обдумать дальнейшее житье, потратила на отдыхе все деньги, а в день отъезда лишилась из-за глупого происшествия доступа к обратному билету, деньгам, связи. В филгуд-литературе чудеса человеческого участия и доброты не просто случаются, они буквально за углом, Чеби встречается со своим в деревне со статуей осьминога и домиком на скале.

Роман из нескольких новелл, каждый раз в студию приходят заказчики, всякий со своими требованиями и душевными травмами, которые сотрудники помогают исцелить, попутно залечивая свои, а у них, конечно, собственные священные раны, куда в наши дни без ПТСР? Духоподъемное чтение, и в аудиоварианте от Игоря Князева - просто радость аудиала.

[Lou · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

This book follows Jebi, a Seoullite who ends up staying in Jeju-do and working at a photography studio.

This book feels slightly off to me, like it seems a compilation of multiple story ideas put into one book. There are some interesting aspects to the book, especially with regards to the octopus ceremony (which I think isn't actually real but the writing is most vivid in these sections) but overall the book feels episodic and tries to reverse tropes (don't read this book for romance) but does so poorly. A lot happens and nothing happens (and I love a 'nothing happens book') but things are resolved too quickly, we don't spend enough time with certain characters to properly 'forgive' them from their previous mistakes (or general regard for other peoples' safety with jebi almost dying because a woman from the village doesn't keep an eye on her well enough when teaching her how to swim even though Jebi obviously has (and says she has!) a massive phobia of the water ). It really has a lot of k-drama tropes of constant terrible things happening under the surface and

The writing is not the best, but I honestly think some of it comes from the translation. Dealing with topics around Jeju is especially hard to translate as even a lot of mainland Koreans don't know certain things so attempting to explain them gets pretty tricky. This text opts to explain in-text, which really breaks the flow of the story. I have read Shanna Tan's work before and have enjoyed it, so I doubt it's just the translation. It definitely has the distinct Korean-style of writing which is pretty straightforward and, for lack of a better term, staccato. Point by point. There is a bit of telling rather than showing but again some of that is down to it being a difficult text to translate for an international audience. (I should say I have done some translation work from Korean to English but I am not a professional (and only deal with relatively basic stuff) so I have some limited understanding).

Honestly this book is fine ? but it's definitely missing something. It deals with really heavy topics that don't really suit the setup of the book and jumps from plot point to plot point. There is no sitting with the characters in the way I like when reading healing fiction. It feels quite unorganised and could do with potentially reducing the amount of tragedies (and I mean tragedies ) that seem to befall every character. It's true that life is unpredictable and people really do go through all these things but... it's a little much/ There are plot threads that are sort of brushed away and it feels like this book could have been more. There is no chemistry inthe 'romance' between the photo store owner and the hanyeo and it feels a little weird how much he keeps pursuing her even though she states she's not interested but of course she gives in at the end. I felt like it was setup at the start between Jebi and the owner but the author wanted to reverse the trope and 'surprise' the audience but, you could have just not had Jebi have any feelings for him at all and the story would have been the same.

Overall it's fine. Some good stuff about the island itself but the characters, story and prose need some work. Good premise, poor execution.

[Indah Maha Sari · Rating 4 out of 5]

novel ini mengingatku akan drama summer strike dan welcome to sam dal ri..selama membaca membayangkan keindahan pulau jeju, pantai, tangarine, para haenyeos. Novel ini menggambarkan kehangatan jeju di musim summer. Jebi yg meninggalkan sejenak kota seoul mencari ketenangan diri setelah burnout dgn pekerjaannya, di pulau jeju. selama 1 bulan di jeju ia menginap di rumah temannya bora, smpai suatu ketika bora menolak jebi untuk tinggal bersama (krn kekasihnya bersikeras inginb tinggal bersama bora), alhasil jebi mau tidak mau harus pindah. sblm borading ia menyemaptkan diri bermain ke pantai, ketika di pantai hpnya pecah krn tendangan bola dari pengunjung, ia mencari tmpt reparasi hp dan itu membutuhkan waktu untuk hp ny pulih. ia menyempatkan berjalan", lalu ia menemukan sebuah cafe yg ada studio photo bernama hakoda photo studio. di situlah ia bertemu dgn seokyeong. Kisah jebi pun di mulai dari sini...

cerita nya sangat hangat, selain cerita jebi dan seokyong bertemu klien" yg menggunakan jasa foto mrka, cerita ini mengulik sisi lain dari jebi dan seokyeong
Jebi dgn trauma masa lalu, dimana ia harus hamil dan melahirkan ketika pcrnya lagi wamil, dan pria tersebut tidak bertanggungjawab...di cerita ini ada moment ketika jebi bertemu dgn sang mantan. jebi menintipkan bayi yg beri panggilan sayang chest nut ke panti asuhan. menitipkan bayi di panti asuhan memberikan sebuah dilema bagi jebi, di satu sisi ia sayang dgn sang anak tetapi di sisi lain ia harus merelakan agar sang anak tidak kekurangan kasih sayang dan finansial, krn berperan sbg orang tua tunggal tidak lah mudah.

seokyong memiliki trauma masa kecil dimana ia tidak sengaja membiarkan adik perempuannya bermain di pantai tanpa pengawasannya yang membuat adiknya meninggal. ayah seokyong depresi dan tidak lama ia menyusul sang anak dgn menenggelamkan diri di pantai. sedangkan sang ibu juga depresi, dan mrka hanya mengingat masa lalu anaknya dgn memandangi foto, btw nama adik seokyong itu juga jebi. Kehadiran jebi di hakuda photo studio, tidak hanya membantu seokyong dalam mengembangkan bisnisnya tetapi juga sebagai pengobat hati seokyong akan adiknya...

di novel ini juga di bhs tentang profesi haenyeos, yg sangat riskan. kyknya di drama" korea yg berlokasi di jeju sering membahas ttg profesi ini. satu kalimat yg sangat bermakna ketika membaca buku ini " kenapa haenyeos itu berani kepantai untuk mencari abalons", iya krn para pria di jeju banyak yg tidak berumur panjang krn tenggelam dilautan ketika mencari ikan". di novel ini di bhs juga baju haenyoes dahulu sblm berbahan latex, mereka menyebutnya mulsojungi klo ak search semacam baju berdasar tipis dan berwarna putih, yg berbelah pinggir. ketika para haenyeos memakai itu mrka tidak memakai pakaian dlm, alasannya cukup senitimental, ketika mrka naik ke dasar laut mrka cukup mengangkat baju tersbut dan bisa menyusui anak mrka. alasan lainnya ketika para haenyeos ini hamil mrka ttp bisa memakai baju renang tersebut tanpa harus membuat baru.. (kamu bisa search baju ny spt apa)..

dari beberapa kisah pertemuan jebi dan seokyong dgn klien, aku tetarik pada part ini Hyeyong anak perempuan yg memiliki kekurangan tidak memiliki bola mata, tp orang tuanya benar" menerima keberadaanny. walaupun ada sedikit kerumitan mengatur mood hyeyong dgn keterbatasannya melihat jeju, tp syukurnya ada dongwo anak laki" yg berasal dari jeju yg membuat hyeyong memiliki teman selama di jeju....


Perihal kisah romantis ada tp tipis sekali, awalnya ku kira jebi dan seokyong bakal menjadi pasangan, yap mrka hnya rekan kerja dan seokyong menganggap jebi lebih seperti saudari perempuan. terus kisah asmara siapa yg di tampilkan di cerita ini, seokyong dan ibu dari dongwo yaitu Yanghee...

[Synlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief Summary of Book:
A cozy, slice-of-life novel centered on Jebi, a young woman burned out by her dull job and the noisy, crowded pace of life in Seoul. Seeking respite, she takes a summer holiday to the peaceful Jeju Island.

On the very last day of her trip, Jebi suddenly loses her phone, credit cards, and plane ticket, effectively severing her ties to her old life. While wandering a fishing village, she stumbles upon the tiny, unassuming Hakuda Photo Studio.

Jebi decides to stay and accepts a job working for the studio's owner, Seokyeong. Through her new role as a photographer, Jebi begins to interact deeply with the local community, photographing various individuals who come through the studio: a young couple facing pre-wedding jitters, an elderly ex-cop haunted by his past, and the celebrated Jeju haenyeos (women free-divers).

By capturing the magic and stories of the island and its people, Jebi gradually heals from her burnout. She finds self-discovery, a new sense of purpose, and ultimately, the chosen family she never had in the quiet, supportive embrace of Jeju Island.

What I like about this book?
The Power of Place: The little backstory and history of the neighborhood that the boss (Seokyeong) shared with Jebi beautifully grounded the story, making the photo studio feel like a sanctuary.

Emotional Vulnerability: The ease with which the characters opened up to each other was deeply moving, highlighting the creation of trust and connection.

The Past's Unexpected Return: The unexpected reveal regarding Jebi and Seokyeong's past was a surprising twist that added a complex layer to the story.

Jebi's Passion: Jebi’s enthusiastic and genuine promotion of her boss and the studio was genuinely endearing and showcased her deep commitment to her new life.

Life Quotes: The book is rich with thoughtful dialogue and perspective that provided valuable, quotable life wisdom.

What I least enjoy about this book?
The Friend Bora and her Ex: The toxic dynamic with Jebi’s friend Bora and her ex was frustrating, making the reader wish Jebi would simply move on from such a draining, "shitty" relationship.

Confusing Relationship Dynamics: The romantic trajectory was unclear at first, swinging between a potential connection between Jebi and Seokyeong, before the focus shifted to Seokyeong’s feelings for Yanghee, creating initial confusion for the reader.

In Conclusion:
Overall, Hakuda Photo Studio was a fun, cozy, and perspective-shifting read that excelled in its tender focus on community, healing, and finding belonging. The book successfully delivers on the promise of good "healing fiction."

Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars

[Melanie :0 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished Hakuda Photo Studio with very mixed feelings, and I think 3 stars fits it perfectly.

The story follows Jebi, who’s clearly burnt out from her Seoul life and somehow ends up stranded on Jeju Island, where she starts working at this small, quiet photo studio. Right away, the vibes are very calm, slow, and reflective 🌿📸 If you like healing novels, slice-of-life moments, and stories that feel like a warm (but slightly lukewarm) cup of tea, this book definitely has that energy.

What I liked most was the idea behind the book. Each customer who comes into Hakuda Photo Studio has their own story, and through photographing them, Jebi slowly learns about life, regrets, love, and starting over. Some of these moments were genuinely touching, and I could see what the author was trying to do show how ordinary people carry so much unseen emotion ✨

However… the pacing was very slow 😭 Like really slow. I kept waiting for something bigger to happen, or for Jebi to have a stronger emotional breakthrough, but it stayed pretty quiet the whole way through. While that might work for some readers, for me it dragged at times, and I found myself zoning out during certain chapters.

I also didn’t fully connect with Jebi as much as I wanted to. Her journey made sense, but emotionally it didn’t hit as hard as it could’ve. Some characters came and went so quickly that I wished they were explored more, because their stories had potential but felt a bit unfinished.

Overall, this isn’t a bad book at all. It’s gentle, comforting, and thoughtful ,just not very memorable for me. I think if you’re in the right mood (tired, reflective, wanting something quiet), you’ll probably enjoy it more than I did. For me, it was nice, but not a book I’ll be thinking about long after finishing.
Still glad I read it though 📖🫶
Just… not a fave, I actually forced myself to read finish this book because I hate leaving a book unread yk .

(Btw if yall wondering why I posted 2 reviews in a day bcuz I actually read this prob 1 month ago and I just started wanna write reviews on books I read !🩷)