[Insta Walk] Jaeyoung Book Repair - The Fragments of Scattered Memories Became a Gift to Me Again

Mapo-gu 'Jaeyeong Book Repair'
Majored in Book Art and Paper Making at a US Graduate School
Finds More Charm in Repairing Books than Making Them

Most Customers Want to Preserve Scribbles and Marks
Not Just Restoring Old Books Like New
The Charm Lies in Observing the Memories of Books

The Harry Potter series sent for repair at 'Jaeyoung Book Repair.' The condition before and after repair by Sujeon. Photo by Jaeyoung Book Repair provided.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Everything fades and gets stained over time. It can be damaged by physical force or deteriorated due to environmental factors. Usually, when that happens, people discard the old and get a ‘new item.’ After all, stores are filled with countless products similar to or much better than what was used before.

However, there are items that are hard to throw away. Especially when they hold unforgettable precious memories, even if they are worn out to the point of being unusable. It could be a doll or blanket you carried around as a child, or clothes, shoes, or a watch that carry the scent of a loved one. In such cases, people often entrust repairs or restoration to maintain the original condition and function for as long as possible. But what if that item is a book?

We visited ‘Jaeyoung Book Repair,’ located in Mapo-gu, Seoul, a place that neatly restores damaged books. The concept of book repair might be somewhat unfamiliar, but it is not unheard of. If you look around, there are quite a few places called ‘workshops’ that repair books. Nowadays, not many people cherish books enough to repair them, but in the era when people relied entirely on print media?before the multimedia world fully opened?entrusting book repairs was not uncommon.

‘Jaeyoung Book Repair’ restores childhood storybooks, old books passed down through generations like heirlooms, out-of-print books that can no longer be found, or even beloved books that simply need cleaning, making them sturdy and neat. It’s like riding a time machine to reverse the time of the book.

Interestingly, in an era dominated by smartphones, ‘Jaeyoung Book Repair’ has become well-known among Instagrammers for a unique reason. There is even a joke that some people want to ‘deliberately damage a perfectly fine book’ just to receive their repair service.

Various tools used in the book repair process.
Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

Baek Jaeyoung, the owner who majored in book art and paper making at a graduate school in the United States, learned book repair after encountering it at a library. While libraries are places for borrowing or studying, many books handled by numerous people tend to get damaged, so repairs are often needed.

He said, "Nowadays, unless a book is deliberately thrown or torn, it’s rare to come across damaged books. Working at the library made me focus not only on the content but also on the appearance of books, and observing the restoration process of damaged books captivated me." He even considered learning book production techniques first but said, "I unexpectedly found more charm in repairing old books." He was drawn to the unique feel of the damaged book’s shape and became interested in the book’s structure and form during the restoration process.

Repair work begins by carefully examining each page of the book from start to finish. The larger and thicker the book, the more time and patience are required. Repair methods vary greatly depending on the book’s form and damage, but meticulous observation is an essential step. Accurately understanding the book’s craftsmanship, paper quality, and condition is necessary to determine the appropriate repair approach.

Baek explained, "Even if a repair request is made because only a few pages are torn, careful inspection often reveals damage areas the client hadn’t noticed. After this step, we discuss and decide on the repair direction with the client and proceed with the work. Since each book’s condition is different, the repair approach also varies."

Each book entrusted for repair is precious. Most of the books come with special stories and the owner’s deep memories and affection. Baek recalls a particularly memorable case where an old photo album was repaired and given as a meaningful gift. He said, "The album was badly damaged and moldy due to poor storage, and the client wanted to gift it to his wife for their wedding anniversary. That sentiment was touching, and because it was a special gift, I focused even more." He realized that book repair is not just about fixing books but creating a work that allows one to recall and revive cherished memories.

Signboard of 'Jaeyeong Book Repair'./Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

In that sense, Baek defines a book restorer as ‘an observer of the book’s memories.’ Many clients request to preserve scribbles or marks left in the book. Book repair is therefore a task far beyond simply making an old book look like new.

He said, "Books, like people, hold memories. They are not just objects to be read and discarded but items that preserve memories or can plant new ones." In this light, book repair can be seen as a process of gathering and recombining scattered fragments of memories, just like restoring a book worn down by the passage of time. Seeing the restored book, the owner can reflect on the years gone by and their current self.

However, he emphasized that not only damaged books with special stories are subject to repair. Since books are a valuable source of wisdom in life, repairs can also be requested when flaws are found after purchasing secondhand books or when owners want to preserve their books in a cleaner state. It gives a feeling that one can enjoy reading with a more refined mindset.

‘Jaeyoung Book Repair,’ which recreates books to suit their purpose and use and revives the precious memories contained within, is attracting attention from ‘insiders.’ This can be interpreted as the analog sensibility of the digital generation. It is intriguing to wonder what kind of world the special fragments of memories painstakingly crafted here will create.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.