Second Chance Convenience Store
Japan

Second Chance Convenience Store

by Kim Ho-yeon

Summary

The Second Chance Convenience Store follows Dokgo, a homeless man living near Seoul Station who has lost his memory and struggles to make sense of his past. His life begins to change after he finds and returns a wallet belonging to Mrs Yeom, a retired teacher who owns a small convenience store. Grateful for his honesty, she offers him food and eventually gives him a job at her shop. As Dokgo becomes part of the neighbourhood, his quiet kindness begins to transform the lives of customers and colleagues dealing with loneliness, family conflict, and personal disappointment. Yet his mysterious past continues to cast a shadow over his new beginning. Through the everyday encounters taking place inside the store, Kim explores social isolation, economic insecurity, and the importance of community. The novel celebrates compassion and suggests that small acts of kindness can help people recover their dignity and rebuild their lives.

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Japan
Asia
Kim Ho-yeon
Kim Ho-yeon

Kim Ho-yeon is a South Korean novelist, screenwriter, and essayist known for stories that combine humor, warmth, and everyday human struggles. His bestselling novel The Second Chance Convenience Store became a major literary success in South Korea and has been translated widely. His work often explores loneliness, relationships, community, and the small acts of kindness that can transform people’s lives.

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Published
2025
Author
Kim Ho-yeon