In the duty-free zone of Incheon International Airport on May 16, interior construction was in full swing at Starbucks, set to open the next day. This “café and bookstore” allows travelers to sip coffee and browse or purchase books.
People were seen carrying metal ladders and placing books on shelves 2-3 meters high under the ceiling. They arranged the books to show either the spines or the front covers, with around 1,500 books in total. But why put faux books on shelves that are out of reach?
These books are decorative fake, with only outer covers and empty insides. Most covers are made of paper, but some use plastic. The interiors are filled with cardboard or styrofoam, making them weigh less than 100 grams, about one-fifth of a real book’s weight. They are also larger than actual books to be visible from afar and are priced cheaper.
The use of books for interior decoration is increasing. In January, Starfield Library in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, filled a 22-meter high bookshelf from floor to ceiling with 50,000 books, becoming a popular Instagram spot.
Is there a risk of books falling or shelves collapsing? Rest assured, such concerns are addressed. The 20,000 out-of-reach books are fake, lightweight, and securely attached to the shelves with adhesive and fireproofing. The Bank of Korea library, remodeled at the end of last year, uses the same approach. The use of faux books for interior decoration is expanding to café and convenience stores.
There is a reason for using faux books. They create a special ambiance just by being displayed. Some online stores even call them “interior cheat-keys,” effective decorating tricks. Min Ah-young, a 34-year-old professional who visited Starfield Library, said, “I was amazed when I first saw it, almost like magic,” adding, “It was fun not knowing what’s inside all those books.”
Hwang Sun-young, CEO of Woojin Making, who supplied and installed fake books at Starfield Library, said, “Spaces with books are aesthetically pleasing, familiar, and comfortable.” When the business started in 2006, fake books were mainly for model houses or broadcast props. “Now it’s an interior business. The business has grown three to four times larger than it was 10 years ago.”
Not only for decorative purposes, but faux books with functions are also being developed. Cha Ju-gyeong, CEO of Taste Pick, quit her job three years ago to start selling “functional” faux books designed to hide messy wires and cables. The books are made of fire-resistant plastic.
Cha said, “Consumer response was better than expected, so I decided to sell other interior products that complement books.” Due to consumer demand, she expanded the book designs to more than ten types. The household goods franchise Daiso released its first book-shaped storage box last November.
Which design is the most popular? The answer is “simple design.”
Cha, who makes wire-organizing faux books, said, “Online shopping mall data shows that consumers initially spend a lot of time browsing elegant or flashy books but ultimately choose simple designs that fit anywhere when making a purchase. The best-selling book is ‘white.’”
This article was originally published on May 18, 2024.
