shopping – SEOUL Magazine

Shopper’s Paradise?

rjkoehler — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 08:55:26 +0000

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Shopper’s Paradise?

Seoul doesn’t lack places to shop. Whether you’re looking for dried seaweed, pricey Korean antiques, or the latest in designer fashion, you’ll find it in Seoul.

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CLOTHING

Seoul is an emerging fashion capital. The design district of Dongdaemun and the swanky boutiques of Apgujeong-dong are especially recommended.

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[box_light]Dongdaemun Market | 동대문 시장[/box_light]

Korea’s fashion capital, Dongdaemun, is home to over 20 shopping malls, 30,000 specialty shops, and 50,000 manufacturers, mostly up-and-coming designers producing reasonably prices clothing. The market really comes alive at night.

GO> Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station 동대문역사문화공원역 (Line 2, 4, 5) or Dongdaemun Station 동대문역 (Line 1, 4)

[box_light]Myeong-dong | 명동[/box_light]

Seoul’s bright and glitzy central commercial district, Myeong-dong is noted for its famous department stores and quality name-brand shops. There are plenty of midrange and no-name brands in the alleyways, too.

GO> Myeong-dong Station 명동역 (Line 4) or Eulji-ro Ipgu Station 을지로입구역 (Line 2)

[box_light]Itaewon | 이태원[/box_light]

Seoul’s most multicultural neighborhood, Itaewon is also the best place to find clothing in multicultural (read: large) sizes. Also a good place to get a handmade suit or leather goods.

GO> Itaewon Station 이태원역 (Line 6) or Hangangjin Station 한강진역 (Line 6)

[box_light]Namdaemun Market | 남대문 시장[/box_light]

Seoul’s most famous traditional market, Namdaemun Market has plenty of cheap clothes, but check the quality first. Namdaemun Market is also famous for its many shops that make cheap but high-quality eyeglasses.

GO> Hoehyeon Station 회현역 (Line 4)

[box_light]Apgujeong-dong, Sinsa-dong, Cheongdam-dong | 암구정동, 신사동, 청담동[/box_light]

Seoul’s poshest neighborhoods are home to the city’s poshest shops, too. You’ll find all your favorite luxury brands here in individual flagship stores, boutiques, larger department stores, and “multi-shops.”

GO> Apgujeong Rodeo Station 압구정로데오역 (Bundang Line), Sinsa Station 신사역 (Line 3) and Gangnam-gu Office Station 강남구청역 (Line 7, Bundang Line)

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TRADITIONAL GOODS

Looking for something distinctly “Korean”? The craft shops of Insa-dong, Gahoe-dong and Samcheong-dong beckon.

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[box_light]Insa-dong | 인사동[/box_light]

Seoul’s most famous arts and crafts alley is full of shops selling ceramics, Korean traditional clothing, traditional tea, paper goods, and other traditional crafts and souvenirs.

GO> Anguk Station 안국역 (Line 3), Exit 6

[box_light]Gahoe-dong | 가회동[/box_light]

The quaint alleyways of Gahoe-dong are home to a number of artisans who produce high-quality ceramics and traditional crafts. Great place to stroll around, too.

GO> Anguk Station 안국역 (Line 3), Exit 2

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ANTIQUES

You can’t bring government-listed cultural properties out of Korea, but you can still find plenty of old stuff (and stuff that looks old) to buy.

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[box_light]Itaewon | 이태원[/box_light]

Itaewon has a number of antique shops with old Korean doors and chests and other antique Korean furniture, as well as more Western antiques. Shop owners speak English, too.

GO> Itaewon Station 이태원역 (Line 6), Exit 3 or 4

[box_light]Insa-dong | 인사동 [/box_light]

Insa-dong was Seoul’s original antique alley. It’s still got plenty of antique shops, but the wares tend to be high-end (as do the prices).

GO> Anguk Station 안국역 (Line 3), Exit 6

[box_light]Dapsimni | 답십리[/box_light]

The neighborhood around Dapsimni has several large antique markets. Most of the goods are relatively reasonable in price, and you can find some real gems in there, too.

GO> Dapsimini Station 답십리역 (Line 5)

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FOOD AND LIQUOR

Where you go for foodstuffs depends on what exactly you’re looking for.

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[box_light]Seaweed, kimchi, and more[/box_light]

Korean foodstuffs: You’re best option is simply to go to a local supermarket, where you’ll find everything you’re looking for. Foreign food: Mega-marts like Costco, E-Mart, Lotte Mart, and Homeplus, as well as department store grocery stores, are stocked with foreign goods. Another option are the foreign food supermarkets like Foreign Food Mart in Itaewon and Haddon Supermarket in Hannam-dong.

GO> Foreign Food Mart: Itaewon Station 이태원역 (Line 6), Exit 3

GO> Haddon Supermarket: Oksu Station 옥수역 (Line 3. Jungang Line), Exit 4

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COSMETICS

Korean women take their cosmetics seriously.

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[box_light]Myeong-dong | 명동[/box_light]

Cheap but high-quality Korean cosmetics are sold by about 50 places in the Myeong-dong area. Foreign brands, meanwhile, can be found at department stores.

GO> Myeong-dong Station 명동역 (Line 4) or Eulji-ro Ipgu Station 을지로입구역 (Line 2)

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FLEA MARKETS

Everyone loves flea markets, where shopping becomes a community activity.

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[box_light]Hongdae Free Market | 홍대 프리마켓[/box_light]

Every Saturday, 2pm–7pm

The theme of this weekly market is “art for the environment”; many accessories are made from recycled material by eco-conscious artists.

GO> Hongdae Playground: Hongik Univ. Station 홍대입구역 (Line 2, A’REX Line), Exit 9

[box_light]Night Flea Market | 블링 나이트 프리마켓[/box_light]

Every 1st Saturday, 5pm

Possibly Seoul’s most popular night flea market—but it’s more than that.

GO> Platoon Kunsthalle: Apgujeong Rodeo Station 압구정로데오역 (Bundang Line), Exit 5 or Gangnam-gu Office Station 강남구청역 (Line 7, Bundang Line), Exit 3

[box_light]Seocho Flea Market | 서초 프리마켓[/box_light]

Every Saturday thru Oct 27, 9:30am—3:30pm

Most of the spots are reserved for Seocho-gu residents, but there are a couple for residents of other districts, too.

GO> Bangbae 2-dong covering road: Sadang Station 사당역 (Line 2, 4), Exit 11

[box_light]Filipino Market | 필리핀 마켓[/box_light]

Every Sunday, 9am–5pm

A popular place for curious Koreans and foreigners alike to attune themselves to Filipino cuisine and hard-to-find imported goods. More info: Hyehwa Catholic Church area:

GO> Hyehwa Station 혜화역 (Line 4), Exit 1. Walk straight toward Hyehwa Catholic Church.

[box_light]Myeong Rang Market | 명동 명랑시장[/box_light]

Every Sunday, 2pm–7pm

A great place for visitors wanting to get creative or looking for different types of souvenirs, and for anyone who is interested in buying creative handcrafted things.

GO> KEB Square: Eulji-ro Ipgu Station 을지로입구역 (Line 2), Exit 5

Must-Have Cosmetics 2013

rjkoehler — Mon, 27 May 2013 08:07:14 +0000

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MUST-HAVE COSMETICS 2013

Written by Monica Suk
Photographs courtesy of various manufacturers

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[box_info]Skinfood: Flora Tea Nail Vita Alpha[/box_info]

There’s nothing like getting your nails done for changing your mood. Available in five shades of pink hues and orange tones, Flora Tea Nail Vita Alpha is perhaps one of a handful of cheap nail polishes that can be applied evenly without emphasizing ridges. Don’t waste your money and time going to nail shops; Flora Tea will rescue you from your dirty-looking nails.

FYI>
www.theskinfood.com
Price: KRW 2,500

[box_info]Banila Co: The Secret Marbling Blusher[/box_info]

Be pretty in pink for spring. Banila Co’s The Secret Marbling Blusher pairs perfectly with the natural makeup trend. This swirl of different colors gives a natural look instead of a made-up one. You can use it either as blush or as a shimmery highlighter.

FYI>
www.banilaco.com
Price: KRW 20,000

[box_info]Nature Republic: Super Aqua Max Combination Watery Cream[/box_info]

Gel-type creams are perfect for all skin types but especially for extremely oily skin or combination skin. Nature Republic’s moisturizing cream glides on smoothly and leaves no film on your skin, giving you a refreshing feeling. If you’re looking for something lightweight to use under makeup, without a doubt, this is going to be your daily item.

FYI>
www.naturerepublic.co.kr
Price: KRW 10,950

[box_info]TONYMOLY: Backstage Gel Eyeliner[/box_info]

TONYMOLY’s gel eyeliner is creamier in texture than other eyeliners and glides on your eyes well because it has no shimmer. Of course, it will smudge if you rub it ferociously with your hands, but the colored gel will last and stay opaque until you remove it with cleansing oil. This is especially recommended for people whose eye makeup gets smudged as the night wears on.

FYI>
www.etonymoly.com
Price: KRW 8,500

[box_info]Hera: UV Mist Cushion[/box_info]

It takes a while to find a foundation that suits your skin perfectly, but Hera’s UV Mist Cushion will definitely shorten that time for you. The mist cushion is a liquid foundation with sunscreen, moisturizer, and whitening functions. This amazing all-in-one product is SPF 50, good to use in both spring and summer.

FYI>
www.hera.co.kr
Price: KRW 45,000

[box_info]Etude House: CC Cream (8 in 1)[/box_info]

CC creams are receiving the baton from BB creams to lead the spring 2013 beauty trends. This multitasker is typically useful for people who don’t have enough time to do makeup in the morning. The new 8 in 1 formula primes, conceals, hydrates, and protects skin. You’ll soon realize that doing your makeup can’t get any easier than this.

FYI>
www.etude.co.kr
Price: KRW 14,000

[box_info]Innisfree: Soybean Energy Essence[/box_info]

Innisfree is known for selling highly effective skin care products at reasonable prices. Innisfree Soybean Energy Essence is the latest product to firm up this reputation. The main ingredient, fermented soybeans from Jejudo’s mountain area, soothes dry skin and prevents wrinkles.

FYI>
www.innisfree.co.kr
Price: 80 ml: KRW 22,000 / 150 ml: KRW 35,000

Mecenatpolis

rjkoehler — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:17:27 +0000

[box_dark]Mecenatpolis | 메세나폴리스[/box_dark]

Located at Hapjeong Station, Mecenatpolis is the latest addition to Seoul’s mixed-use commercial district that embraces shopping, entertainment, and residential compounds. A diverse range of retail, dining, and vibrant communal spaces merge to create a new urban haven under a single roof, providing a new social destination for city slickers. Lotte Cinema is conveniently located within the compound.

EAT>
Along with fast food chains and coffeehouses, a wide range of upscale and modest restaurants await patrons, offering unique dining experience in their terraced balconies and open-air spaces.

BUY>
Its first floor features apparel brands like Uniqlo, Muji, 8 Seconds and TopTen10.

SEE>
Online retail giant Interpark operates two cultural halls under its corporate name on the second floor of the mammoth commercial establishment. It’s worth check out its theatrical program.

FYI>
mecenatpolismall.co.kr
(490 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul | 서울시 마포구 서교동 490)

GO>
Hapjeong Station 합정역 (Line 2, 6), Exit 10

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Ayasophia Wedding Dress

rjkoehler — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 06:07:13 +0000

Ayasophia Wedding Dress | 아야소피아 웨딩드레스

This cozy hanok shop hidden away in an alley near Bukchon’s Jeongdok Library deals almost exclusively in wedding dresses. You can try on dresses before making up your mind, and the friendly owner even provides refreshments as you shop. Prices are quite reasonable, just $200 to $600. Reception dresses, wedding shoes, and wedding accessories can be purchased at reasonable prices, too. For the time being, when you buy a dress, they’ll throw in an accessory for free.

FYI>
T. 070-7518-1088, www.aya-sophia.com
(32-18 Jae-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul | 서울시 종로구 재동 32-18)

GO>
Anguk Station 안국역 (Line 3), Exit 1

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Times Square

rjkoehler — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:57:19 +0000

Times Square | 타임스퀘어

Yeongdeungpo’s Times Square shopping mall is one of Seoul’s more visually appealing shopping centers thanks to its futuristic design by Junglin Architecture. Like any proper Korean shopping complex, it’s a virtual city unto itself, with a major department store, a multiplex theater, supermarket, fitness center, hotel, tons of restaurants, and much, much more. If you’re looking to stay indoors all day, this is your place. If you’d like a breath of cool, fresh air, there’s a lovely roof garden, too.

EAT>

You’ll find plenty of places to eat on the third and fourth floors.

BUY>

You’re in a shopping mall. The options are endless.

SEE>

If you’re a history buff, the old office of Kyungsung Textiles (1937) is located just behind Times Square and now serves as a café and gallery. Now known as Kyungbang, Kyungsung Textiles was one of Korea’s first big companies, and is in fact the owner of Times Square.

FYI>
T. 02-2638-2000, www.timessquare.co.kr
(442 Yeongdeungpo-dong 4-ga, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul | 서울시 영등포구 영등포동4가 442)

GO>
Yeongdeungpo Station 영등포역 (Line 1). Exit through the Lotte Department Store, cross the street, and walk 200 meters. Swing a left, walk 150m and you’re there.

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10 Corso Como

rjkoehler — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:09:53 +0000

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10 Corso Como | 10 꼬르소 꼬모

Located in the trendy Gangnam district in southern Seoul, 10 Corso Como is the brainchild of Italian gallerist and publisher Carla Sozzani. Part art and design gallery, part bookshop, part fashion store, and part something else, the shop was conceived by Sozzani—a former fashion editor—as a virtual narrative of a magazine layout. Think of it as walking through a copy of Vogue. As with Milan’s and Tokyo’s 10 Corso Como locations, much of the interior was designed by American graphic artist Kris Ruhs, a long-time associate of Sozzani.

EAT>
10 Corso Como’s café offers a variety of sumptuous Italian eats, with wonderful desserts, too.

BUY>
In addition to men’s and women’ fashions and accessories, 10 Corso Como also has a bookshop selling mostly art and photography books. Well worth checking out.

SEE>
The logo. The simple, black-and-white logo is designed by Kris Ruhs.

FYI>
Hours: 11am—8pm (café open later)
T. 02-3018-1010, www.10corsocomo.co.kr
(79 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul | 서울시 강남구 청담동 79)

GO>
10-min walk from Apgujeong Rodeo Station 압구정로데오역 (Bundang Line), Exit 3

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Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

rjkoehler — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 08:16:51 +0000

Valentine’s Day

Shopping right for the one you love

Written by Violet Kim

Photographs courtesy of various manufacturers

In South Korea, Valentine’s Day is all about wooing the men. Women get their turn on White Day, March 14, but February 14 is about the man. The man may say that all he really wants this winter is you, but a gift can’t hurt. Here are seven suggestions for showing some material love.

1. Lotion

Despite the rising popularity of makeup for men in Seoul, there are still men who will recoil in fear at the thought of moisturizing. You can buy a boyfriend BB cream, but you can’t make him wear it. Yet in keeping with local tradition (or trends), you can still gift makeup. Just go for a gateway product like Homme Black Perfect Fluid, a skin lotion for men from Hera.

FYI> Price: 55,000 won

www.hera.co.kr

GO> Look for the Hera brand at the Gangnam location of Shinsegae Dept. Store (T. 02-3479-1217), Apgujeong location of Hyundai Dept. Store (T. 02-3438-6072) or Sinchon location of Hyundai Dept. Store (T. 02-3145-2114).

2. External Hard Drive

There’s no need to argue for the desirability of 1TB in storage space. But as far as external hard drives go, the White Heart Keith Haring external hard drive from Sarotech is particularly good as a Valentine’s Day gift, thanks to the funky but never twee heart art by Haring.

FYI> Price: 155,000 won

www.sarotech.com

GO>

Design emporium 10×10: locations in Dongdaemun Doota and Myeong-dong Lotte Young Plaza

Check www.10×10.co.kr for more location details.

3. A bag

But not just any bag, and certainly no “murse.” This no-fuss canvas-and-cowhide creation from Brownbreath comes in beige and grey, and it’s called the Folio Roll Bag for a reason. It can be folded into an envelope-shaped briefcase, or rolled into a cylindrical shape to carry large cylindrical objects (like rolled-up posters).

FYI> Price: 38,000 won

T. 02-323-2190, www.brownbreath.com

GO> Brownbreath has three offline locations. The official location is in Hongdae, with two other stores in Sinsa-dong and Myeong-dong Lotte Young Plaza.

4. A pullover

There’s nothing more simultaneously loathed and loved than the custom of “couple T-shirts,” where two people in a relationship don the same T-shirt to let the world see that yes, they are indeed together. But getting your significant other a pullover like this Beyond Closet pullover from designer Ko Tae Yong, and then getting one for yourself because it’s so darn cute? That’s not loathsome. That’s just coincidence.

FYI> Price: 83,000 won

GO> Multi-brand shop A Land, which has its biggest location in Myeong-dong (T. 070-7820-7534) and in Hongdae (T. 070-7820-7476).

Check www.a-land.co.kr for more location details.

5. IPhone Accessory

Smartphone cases are everywhere, from inexpensive 10,000 won cases off of street vendors to 27,9000 won L’Donovan cases from the Hyundai Department Store. But despite the variety of options, sometimes there’s one right answer. Lab.C’s USB cases for the iPhone 5 unite beauty and utility in one sleek, affordable product. Beauty: it comes in subtle shades of pink, blue, and silver and doesn’t add unnecessary bulk. Utility: There’s a handy slot for your transit card and an 8GB USB that fits into the back. The case is also made of makrolon, a high-tech, wear-resistant plastic that’s used inside of BMWs. And while this particular model is only an option for iPhone users, Lab.C also makes other makrolon cases for Samsung Galaxy phones.

FYI> Price: 40,420 won

www.lab-c.co.kr

GO> For phone and laptop accessories, check your local Concierge branch.

Check www.concierge.co.kr for more location details.

6. Cake

If you have to get a cake, it might as well be one you baked. Or rather, made. Dan Hana specializes in customizable cakes. Just show up, pick a base (vanilla, chocolate, or mousse) and then go crazy with the toppings (everything from miniature macaroons and fruit to chocolate and sugar ornaments). Average decorating time: 30 to 60 minutes.

FYI> Price: Bases start at 13,000 won and toppings can be anywhere from 100 to 1500 won a piece. www.cakedan.com

GO> There are numerous Dan Hana locations around Seoul: check Sookmyung Womens University branch (T. 02-712-9050) and Hongdae branch (T. 02-325-2022).

7. A tumbler

This Teascafe tumbler has a stainless steel interior and a plastic exterior. As a tumbler, it’s perfectly serviceable—and also necessary for the typical caffeine-addicted Seoulite. It’s also pretty ugly. The good news is that it’s customizable. Here’s your chance to show off your artsy side and slip your own handiwork behind the plastic. Or just go full schmaltzy and decorate that thing with photographs of the two of you. You can always remove them later.

FYI> Price: 19,000 won

GO> Design shop 1300K in Hongdae (T. 02-323-9878, 02-338-1353).

Check www.1300k.com for more location details.

Korea Grand Sale 2013

rjkoehler — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:03:51 +0000

Korea Grand Sale 2013

Korea is good for shopping at the best of times, though, it’ll be even better, as some 24,000 stores and other organizations will offer foreign visitors and residents discounts ranging between 10% and a whopping 50%. Department stores, duty-free stores, hotels, supermarkets, convenience stores, performance venues: the possibilities are almost endless. The sale will be accompanied by a variety of K-pop concerts, free shuttle bus operations to facilitate the shopping experience, a Special Week event and plenty more.

FYI> Seoul, Busan, Gangwon-do, Jeju and local areas
Jan 11–Feb 28
www.koreagrandsale.co.kr
www.facebook.com/koreagrandsale