This week's cultural highlights across South Korea present three distinctive ways to recharge your spirit and feed your soul. From a trendy gaming hideaway in Seoul's historic Jongno district to a captivating photography exhibition celebrating Black American musicians, and culminating with Korea's newest and largest public library in Suwon, these venues offer diverse opportunities for entertainment, cultural enrichment, and intellectual growth.

Nestled in the heart of Seoul's Jongak area, Mouse Potato has emerged as a revolutionary gaming destination that breaks the mold of traditional Korean console cafes. This expansive, two-story establishment combines the comfort of a stylish cafe with the excitement of a gamer's paradise, allowing visitors to indulge in desserts and beverages while diving into an extensive selection of video games without any time restrictions or additional fees beyond the initial drink purchase.

The venue's name cleverly plays on the modern twist of "couch potato," with "mouse potato" serving as contemporary slang for individuals who spend their leisure time glued to computer screens. The hip, contemporary space functions as both a cafe and gaming sanctuary, with the first floor serving as the beverage and ordering area while the second floor transforms into a spacious gaming zone filled with collectible gaming merchandise and an impressive array of gaming consoles.

Unlike Korea's typical console cafes, which usually limit their offerings to PlayStation systems and occasionally Nintendo Switch, Mouse Potato provides an immersive, almost museum-like experience that spans multiple gaming generations. The collection ranges from old-school retro systems to cutting-edge modern setups including PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, featuring titles that stretch from classics like The King of Fighters, which first launched in 1994, to contemporary cooperative hits such as Overcooked and It Takes Two.

What sets Mouse Potato apart from standard Korean gaming cafes is its revolutionary pricing model—there are no hourly charges or time restrictions, making it one of the most cost-effective options for serious gamers. The second floor houses five main gaming zones that tend to fill up quickly, particularly on weekends, making weekday visits highly recommended. Beyond video games, the establishment also provides chess boards and comfortable plush seating areas for visitors who prefer to unwind in a more relaxed atmosphere. Mouse Potato is located at 66 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Meanwhile, in Seoul's vibrant Daehangno district, the ARKO Art Center Open Space is hosting a remarkable photography exhibition that offers visitors a glimpse into the rich musical heritage of Memphis, Tennessee. "Hooks Brothers Studio: Framing Memphis' Black Sound," running through October 31st, showcases the work of one of the most prominent Black commercial photography businesses in American history through a collection of stunning black and white photographs, with one notable color image from the later era.

The exhibition features 20 carefully selected photographs from the vast Hooks Brothers Studio archive, which forms part of the collection of the Memphis Art Museum, scheduled to open in Memphis, Tennessee, next year. These images capture some of the greatest figures in American music history from the 1920s through the 1970s, including legendary artists such as Billie Holiday, B.B. King, Count Basie, and Al Green. Some photographs show meticulously staged poses while others capture spontaneous, candid moments that reveal the authentic rhythm of Memphis musical life.

Hooks Brothers Studio, established in 1907, evolved to become one of Memphis' most significant Black commercial photography enterprises, continuing operations through two generations of the Hooks family until its closure in 1984. Their extensive photographic work documented not only the daily rhythm of life in Memphis but also captured the city's emergence as a crucial hub for gospel, funk, and soul music. Memphis holds particular significance in American music history as the home of WDIA, the first U.S. radio station dedicated exclusively to Black audiences.

The exhibition experience extends far beyond visual elements, incorporating a carefully curated soundtrack that serves as an essential component of the show. The Memphis Listening Lab selected the music, which plays through specially chosen speakers, bringing the photographs to vivid life. Hearing B.B. King croon "Everyday I Have the Blues" and other iconic songs from the era creates an immersive experience that makes visitors feel as though the musicians captured on the walls are performing live. This marks the first international presentation of the Hooks Brothers Studio archive, presented in Korea through a partnership between the Memphis Art Museum and Arts Council Korea. The exhibition is located at ARKO Cultural Center Open Space, 3 Dongsung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

In Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Korea's largest public library officially opens this weekend, representing a monumental addition to the country's cultural infrastructure. Spanning an impressive 27,795 square meters across five above-ground levels and four underground floors, the Gyeonggi Library is designed to serve as a comprehensive cultural hub dedicated to creativity, learning, and community engagement.

The library's collection currently houses 344,216 volumes, including 148,181 printed books and 196,035 electronic books, with ambitious plans to expand to 550,000 volumes within the next five years. Beyond its impressive scale, the library embodies six core themes distributed across its nine floors: creativity, connection, inclusion, wisdom, sustainability, and growth, each theme reflected in the specific services and spaces offered on different levels.

The basement level, designated as the Space of Creativity, features an innovative AI Studio where visitors can utilize cutting-edge tools including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Photoshop to create original digital content. This floor also houses an AI Reading Discussion Room where humans and artificial intelligence engage in collaborative book discussions, alongside the multipurpose Planet Gyeonggi Hall, which hosts various performances and educational lectures.

The first floor, themed around Connection, offers a literature lounge, youth cafe, and eco-themed art displays designed to bring community members together. The second floor serves as the Inclusion Space, providing multilingual books, AI voice-reading services for accessibility, and a console gaming zone that bridges traditional library services with modern entertainment.

The third and fourth floors function as a comprehensive knowledge hub, featuring specialized art-book lounges, themed reading paths that guide visitors through curated literary journeys, and dedicated climate literature corners addressing contemporary environmental concerns. The fifth floor, designated as the Growth Space, specifically supports young creators through state-of-the-art digital studios and an innovative AI Book Therapy program that analyzes children's drawings to recommend personalized book selections.

Library membership is open to all individuals, with resident verification providing additional privileges and extended access to certain services. During its trial period running through the end of the year, the library operates Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Gyeonggi Library is located at 30 Docheong-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, positioning itself as a revolutionary model for 21st-century public library services.