The Second Chance Convenience Store

In this million-copy international bestseller from Korea, the owner of a corner store takes in an unhoused man who does a good deed, a kind soul whose presence will transform the whole neighborhooda heartwarming tale of community and redemption reminiscent of the bestselling novels of Matt Haig and Gabrielle Zevin.

Dok-go lives in Seoul Station. He cant remember his past, and the only thing he knows for certain is that he could really use a drink. When he finds a lost wallet filled with documents, his life is drastically changed.

Mrs. Yeom, a retired history teacher and current owner of her neighborhoods corner store, is distraught over the loss of her purse, until she receives a mysterious call from the person who found it. To thank this down-on-his-luck stranger, she offers him a free meal from the convenience store. Seeing the joy the food brings him, Mrs. Yeom impulsively invites him to stop by for lunch every day.

In a twist of fate, Dok-go saves the store from a robbera brave act that propels Mrs. Yeom to offer the bear-like man a job working the night shift, despite the objections of her wary employees. The stores new employee quickly wins over the quirky denizens of the neighborhood, becoming a welcoming ear and source of advice for his coworkers and neighbors problems, and helping his new boss save the store from financial ruin.

But just when things are looking up for Dok-go, Mrs. Yeom’s good-for-nothing son, eager to sell the store, hires a detective to dig into the mysterious mans past and what he seems to be trying so hard to forget.

The Second Chance Convenience Storeis a moving and joyful story of a woman fighting for her community and a man who has lost everything except the will to try again.

About the Author

Kim Ho-yeon has worked as a novelist, playwright, and comic book writer. He won the 9th Segye Literary Prize (offered by theSegye Ilbonewspaper) in 2013, and in 2021, was awarded Yes24 Book of the Year and Millie Audiobook of the Year. He lives in Seoul.