The Bookstore

Yunjae's family bookstore is one of the novel's primary settings. It is located in the same building where Yunjae, Mom, and Granny live. Shortly after they move in with Granny, Mom opens the shop, primarily stocking it with used academic texts, children's stories, and literary works. When sales seem slow, Granny insists Mom stock a collection of erotic magazines.

After Granny is killed and Mom falls into a coma, the bookstore is the only thing Yunjae has left. He opens it every day after school, finding comfort in the familiar space. While working at the shop, Yunjae receives frequent visits from Gon, Dr. Shim, and later, Dora. These bookstore interactions gradually grow Yunjae's friendships.

When sales slow even more, Yunjae decides to close the shop. On his last day there, he feels a sense of melancholy for the first time.

School

Yunjae's school is another of the...