Courtesy of Coupang Play
The Coupang Play OTT variety show ‘Kang Ho-dong Bookshop’ drew attention by releasing the teaser for episode 1, which captures candid life stories from Kang Ho-dong, transformed into ‘Hocrates’, and the first guest, Ha Jung-woo.
‘Kang Ho-dong Bookshop’ is a talk show where the bookstore owner ‘Hocrates’ (Kang Ho-dong), an INFP with a loud voice but a tender heart, meets customers who come to the shop, opens up their lives together, and shares sincere stories.
The teaser showcases the nonstop back-and-forth between ‘Hocrates’ and Ha Jung-woo, gripping attention at once. As the first to step through the bookstore door, Ha Jung-woo says as soon as he enters, “I came to sell some books,” steering the mood with his signature cool line. In reply, ‘Hocrates’ fires back, “We only take stories,” creating a subtle current from their very first encounter and generating cheerful tension.
Calling himself the last disciple of Socrates who was expelled for asking too many questions, ‘Hocrates’ closely traces the road his guests have walked with a persistent yet pure gaze. To the question, “What choice do you regret the most?”, Ha Jung-woo answers without hesitation, “A few bad investments,” eliciting laughter and showcasing candor along with his trademark sense of humor. As cautious prompts from ‘Hocrates’ continue, such as, “What if you had poured more into your work as an actor rather than taking on the role of director?”, a conversation that began lightly soon deepens into a refined life talk.
Courtesy of Coupang Play
To the question that closed the teaser, “Are you happy?”, Ha Jung-woo answers, “I am happy,” which leaves curiosity about what process led him to that conclusion and further heightens expectations for the main episode. ‘Hocrates’ uses insights deepened over millennia and pure curiosity to shape talks where laughter and reflection coexist, and will pack ‘Kang Ho-dong Bookshop’ with diverse “one book of life” stories from the guests.
Blending the bookstore owner ‘Hocrates’, completed in a new persona, with the sincere answers of top-tier guests, ‘Kang Ho-dong Bookshop’ will be unveiled exclusively on Coupang Play at 4 p.m. every Friday starting March 6. Anyone, including Coupang Wow members and non-members, can watch for free.
