Kakao’s content-publishing platform, Brunch, is rolling out the second Brunch Reading Challenge to encourage healthy reading habits and give local bookstores a boost. For this edition, bestselling author Hwang Borum teams up with Gunsan’s indie bookstore Mari Seosa to celebrate the value of reading and writing. Building on the first challenge’s success, Kakao has simplified participation so anyone can join.
On the 29th, Kakao announced the official launch of the second Brunch Reading Challenge to spread a love of reading and support neighborhood bookshops.
Brunch opened pre-registration at 11 a.m. that day, inviting readers to take part in promoting a culture of reading and writing.
“I’m delighted to join a project that began to support local bookstores,” Hwang Borum said. “I hope this brings more people through the doors of their local shops.”
O Seong-jin, head of Kakao Brunch, noted that the first challenge demonstrated how reading and keeping records can create a win-win cycle that helps independent bookstores thrive.
He added that Kakao will continue strengthening Brunch as an ecosystem where reading and writing circulate naturally.
Riding the momentum from January’s challenge, this round removes participant limits—any Brunch member can sign up—and allows people to join even after the challenge has started.
Registered participants will begin the month-long challenge at 11 a.m. on the 6th of next month and continue through midnight on June 4.
The format stays the same: use the Brunch app’s Live Reading feature to log your reading. Like a fitness app tracks workouts, Live Reading measures reading time and progress and lets you publish notes.
Kakao will award a special edition of Hwang Borum’s bestseller Welcome to Hyunamdong Bookshop and Brunch Reading Club merchandise to 1,000 participants chosen by lottery who record reading notes on at least three separate days during the challenge.
All participants will also receive a Brunch Reading Challenge Tok digital card.
The special edition of Welcome to Hyunamdong Bookshop was produced through a collaboration with Gunsan’s Time-Travel Village bookstore Mari Seosa, publisher Clayhouse, and illustrator Ban Jisu.
Ban Jisu’s artwork captures the charm of Mari Seosa and boosts the edition’s collectible appeal. Preorders will open on Kakao Makers in June.
In July, Kakao plans an in-person pop-up at Mari Seosa where Hwang Borum will serve as a guest bookseller and meet readers face to face.
