Livework Colorful Gel Pen vs Jiukoushan Mini Note Review: The UK's Best Cute & Collectible Stationery 2026
Jul 01, 2026
Livework Colorful Gel Pen vs Jiukoushan Mini Note Review: The UK's Best Cute & Collectible Stationery 2026
The best stationery brings joy every time you use it. In this review, we celebrate two stationery items that do exactly that: the Livework Colorful Life & Pieces 0.5mm Slim Colour Gel Pen 2-Pack, a beautifully designed Korean gel pen set with a charming aesthetic and smooth writing performance, and the Jiukoushan Mini Note Animal Shop, a delightfully cute and collectible mini notebook that makes note-taking a pleasure. Both are available from TTPEN UK and both represent the best of the cute, collectible stationery aesthetic that has captured the hearts of UK stationery enthusiasts.
Livework Colorful Life & Pieces Gel Pen — Korean Design Meets Smooth Writing
The Livework Colorful Life & Pieces 0.5mm Slim Color Gel Pen 2 Pack is a gel pen set that proves writing instruments can be both beautiful and functional. At £10.00 for a 2-pack, it combines Livework’s distinctive Korean design aesthetic with smooth, reliable 0.5mm gel ink performance — a pen that looks as good on your desk as it writes on your paper.
Korean Stationery Design
Livework is a Korean stationery brand that has built a devoted following among stationery enthusiasts worldwide for its charming, thoughtfully designed products. The Colorful Life & Pieces gel pens reflect Livework’s design philosophy — clean, modern aesthetics with playful colour accents that make the pens a pleasure to look at and hold. The slim barrel is comfortable to hold for extended writing sessions, and the overall design is refined and elegant without being overly serious.
The “Colorful Life & Pieces” name captures the spirit of the pen — it’s a pen for those who believe that the small, everyday objects in their life should be beautiful. The 2-pack format provides two complementary colours that work well together for colour-coded journalling and note-taking.
Writing Performance
Beyond its beautiful design, the Livework gel pen delivers excellent writing performance. The 0.5mm gel tip produces a smooth, consistent line with good ink flow and minimal skipping. The gel ink is quick-drying, reducing smearing for left-handed writers, and produces a clean, dark line that is easy to read. The slim barrel and lightweight construction make the pen comfortable to hold for extended writing sessions.
The gel ink is available in a range of colours, and the 2-pack format allows you to choose a colour combination that suits your journalling or note-taking style. The pens are refillable, making them a sustainable choice for regular users.
Who Is the Livework Gel Pen For?
The Livework Colorful gel pen is for stationery enthusiasts who want a beautifully designed gel pen that performs as well as it looks. It’s particularly popular among journallers, bullet journal enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates Korean stationery design. At £10.00 for two, it’s also excellent value for a premium-design gel pen set.
Price: £10.00 (2-pack) — Buy the Livework Colorful Gel Pen at TTPEN UK
Jiukoushan Mini Note Animal Shop — The Notebook That’s Too Cute to Leave on the Shelf
The Jiukoushan Mini Note Animal Shop – Cute & Collectible! is a mini notebook that has captured the hearts of stationery enthusiasts with its irresistibly charming animal shop theme. At £14.00, it is a beautifully designed collectible notebook that makes note-taking, journalling, and list-making a genuinely delightful experience.
The Animal Shop Theme
The Jiukoushan Mini Note’s animal shop theme is its defining charm. The notebook features adorable animal characters in a shop setting — a concept that is quintessentially kawaii in its approach, combining the cuteness of animal characters with the cosy, inviting atmosphere of a small shop. The design is detailed and carefully crafted, with illustrations that reward close inspection and bring a smile every time you open the notebook.
The “collectible” aspect of the Mini Note is significant — Jiukoushan releases different designs and themes, making each notebook a unique item that stationery collectors will want to seek out and add to their collection. The animal shop theme is one of the most popular in the range, and its charm is immediately apparent.
Practical Notebook Quality
Beyond its charming exterior, the Jiukoushan Mini Note is a practical, well-made notebook. The paper quality is good — smooth enough for gel pens and fine-tip markers without excessive bleed-through, and the binding is secure and durable. The mini format makes it ideal for carrying in a pocket or small bag, always ready for quick notes, lists, and spontaneous journalling.
The compact size also makes it an excellent companion notebook — a small, charming notebook for quick notes and ideas that complements a larger main journal. Many UK journallers use mini notebooks like the Jiukoushan as “idea catchers” that they carry everywhere.
Who Is the Jiukoushan Mini Note For?
The Jiukoushan Mini Note is for stationery enthusiasts, collectors, and anyone who believes that their everyday objects should bring joy. It’s also an excellent gift — its charming design and collectible nature make it a gift that stationery lovers will treasure. At £14.00, it’s a delightful treat for yourself or a perfect present for a stationery-loving friend.
Price: £14.00 — Buy the Jiukoushan Mini Note at TTPEN UK
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Livework Colorful Gel Pen (2-pack) | Jiukoushan Mini Note |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £10.00 | £14.00 |
| Type | Slim 0.5mm gel pen set | Mini collectible notebook |
| Design Origin | Korean stationery brand | Japanese kawaii aesthetic |
| Collectible Appeal | Design-forward, colour range | Themed series, animal shop |
| Best For | Journallers, design-conscious writers | Collectors, gift-giving, kawaii fans |
Cute Pen or Charming Notebook — Why Not Both?
The Livework Colorful Gel Pen and Jiukoushan Mini Note are a natural pairing — a beautifully designed pen and a charming notebook that together create the perfect cute stationery set. The Livework Colorful Gel Pen is for those who want a beautifully designed writing instrument that performs as well as it looks — its Korean design aesthetic and smooth gel ink make it one of the most charming gel pens available in the UK.
The Jiukoushan Mini Note is for those who want a collectible, charming notebook that makes note-taking a joyful experience — its animal shop theme and kawaii design make it one of the most delightful notebooks available at TTPEN UK.
Both are available from TTPEN UK with fast UK delivery. Visit www.ttpen.co.uk to browse our full range of cute, collectible stationery from Korea and Japan.
Final Verdict
The Livework Colorful Gel Pen and Jiukoushan Mini Note are two of the most charming and joyful stationery items available in the UK market. The Livework wins on writing performance and Korean design elegance; the Jiukoushan wins on collectible charm and kawaii appeal. Both earn our highest recommendation for UK stationery enthusiasts and collectors. Visit TTPEN UK today.
