An article has introduced eight writers who work together and encourage one another’s creativity at Jungle Salon (정글살롱), a shared creative studio in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Opened in 2023, the space has a large table and is roughly 10 pyeong in area. The writers work in different fields, including children’s literature, poetry, fiction, essays, and general-interest books. They use the space according to their own schedules and have also published a book together, I Work Alone, but I Don’t Want to Be Lonely (『혼자서 일하지만 외롭긴 싫으니까』).

Background and context

Jungle Salon’s beginnings trace back to the COVID-19 pandemic, when writer Jeong Mun-jeong ran into writers Cheon Ji-hye and Go Su-ri at a book café near her home. The three were each working on their own projects and occasionally talked, finding a boost to their everyday lives in one another’s company. When they heard that the book café was moving to Gangnam, writer Jeong Mun-jeong decided to set up a studio and invited the other two writers to join her.

The writers posted on social media to find others who wanted to join them, and writers Hwang Yu-jin, Kim Se-hee, Shin Hyo-won, and Kim Ji-yeon came on board. Writer Lee Hyeon-a, an elementary school teacher who had planned to use the space briefly during school vacation, also joined them. The writers who came together are Cheon Ji-hye, Kim Ji-yeon, Shin Hyo-won, Lee Hyeon-a, Kim Se-hee, Jeong Mun-jeong, Go Su-ri, and Hwang Yu-jin. According to the article, they are all mothers and wanted a place to focus on their work and communicate as adults.

This community is different from an organization where people gather at the same time every day and work in the same way. Some writers come every day, while others visit three or four times a month. Regardless of how often they use the space, they split the running costs equally each month. Rather than calculating costs according to the time spent there, they share the costs of running a community where they can lean on one another as they work.

The monthly book discussion is another example of the connections at Jungle Salon. Instead of having everyone read the same assigned book, each person chooses and introduces a book they read during the past month that they would like to share. The writers said that sharing different interests and tastes lets them discover books they might have overlooked on their own and find inspiration for their work.

What this news means

One notable aspect of the Jungle Salon example is that its members work together while retaining their differences, rather than aligning themselves by field or rhythm of life. The writers have different ways and paces of creating, but the presence of fellow workers nearby can ease feelings of isolation and prompt new experiments. Writer Hwang Yu-jin said that seeing her colleagues each take on challenges made her think she could do the same, and that she has recently been writing children’s poetry.

The space is used for more than desks and work. On weekdays, it serves as the writers’ studio; on weekends, it is used by people renting the space for book discussions and other activities. Jungle Salon is therefore a place to work for the writers and also a venue where other users can hold gatherings. The article does not, however, give specific terms or costs for renting the space to outside users.

For example, someone who works alone but wants both a place to work and the company of colleagues could consider an arrangement like Jungle Salon’s, where people set their own usage schedules and share costs and a sense of community. This is only one possible way to run a space; it does not mean the arrangement will suit everyone or guarantee creative success. Writer Jeong Mun-jeong explained that because the writers have different genres and starting points, it is difficult to compare their outputs or achievements directly.

What has been confirmed and what remains unknown

Confirmed facts

  • Jungle Salon is a shared creative studio in Mapo-gu, Seoul, that opened in 2023.
  • The writers who work there are Cheon Ji-hye, Kim Ji-yeon, Shin Hyo-won, Lee Hyeon-a, Kim Se-hee, Jeong Mun-jeong, Go Su-ri, and Hwang Yu-jin.
  • The writers use the space according to their own schedules and split the monthly running costs equally, regardless of how often they visit.
  • A book discussion is held once a month, and the eight writers jointly published I Work Alone, but I Don’t Want to Be Lonely (『혼자서 일하지만 외롭긴 싫으니까』).
  • The space serves as the writers’ studio on weekdays and as a rental venue for book discussions and other activities on weekends.

What remains unknown

  • How much are Jungle Salon’s monthly running costs and rent?
  • When was the jointly authored book published, and how many copies has it sold?
  • What terms and costs apply to using the space on weekends?

What readers should check

  • Anyone looking into a similar shared workspace should first check whether monthly fees or running costs vary according to how often the space is used, and how the costs are divided.
  • People sharing a space should confirm the hours and frequency of use, as well as the shared running costs and rules for using the space, in advance.
  • Readers looking to rent the space for a gathering should check availability and terms separately. The article does not provide specific rental procedures or costs for Jungle Salon.