Unconventional Shopping in Seoul: Unique Markets and Boutiques

Seoul, the bustling capital of South Korea, is one of the shopping capitals of the world. Almost every major luxury brand in the world has a presence in Seoul, and the city is home to South Korea’s best and brightest designers. There are also up-and-coming brands showcased by Seoul’s trendiest boutiques.

Photo credit: Timothy Riles on Unsplash.

Seoul also has a number of unique and fascinating markets, neighborhoods, and shopping centers that are travel destinations themselves. Whether it’s a traditional shopping street or a mall made out of old shipping containers, there are some unorthodox places to get your retail therapy in. Regardless of whether you buy anything or not, these will be valuable travel experiences.

Exploring a massive city like Seoul requires a lot of energy to get around, especially if you’re trying to hit all the best shopping destinations in town. Finding a reliable place to drop the bags off for a few hours is a great way to lighten the load and keep your arms open for all the fresh finds you’ll discover in Seoul’s amazing boutiques.

Hongdae.

Hongdae

Known for its youthful clientele and artsy vibe, Hongdae is a must-visit destination for trendy travelers looking for a bespoke shopping experience. This neighborhood’s streets and alleyways are lined with indie boutiques, vintage stores, local designer shops, buzzy cafés, and everything else you’d expect from a hip neighborhood.

It’s one of the best places in Seoul to discover one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, and handmade crafts. Hongdae is also famous for its lively street performances and underground music scene, making it a vibrant and creative shopping district. Tucked away near Hongik University, Hongdae’s main shopping area is easily reached by taking the subway (Line 2) to Hongik University Station. From there, it's a short walk to the best shopping stretches.

Photo credit: Ciaran O'Brien on Unsplash.

Myeongdong

Myeongdong is the city's premier shopping district. This bustling area is a haven for fashionistas and beauty enthusiasts, with an abundance of cosmetics shops, international brands, and some of Seoul’s most renowned boutiques. While it may be less distinctive than some of the more peculiar shopping destinations, Myeongdong is still a quintessential Seoul institution that international travelers should definitely experience.

The streets are lined with neon signs, creating a vibrant atmosphere that’s lively at night. Don't skip tasting some Korean street food while you shop! Myeongdong is located in the heart of Seoul and is easily accessible by public transportation or a short walk from other tourist hotspots.

Pink Pool Cafe.

Pink Pool Cafe

This one is right out of a Wes Anderson film… Combining (very niche) retail offerings with a quirky cafe setting, Pink Pool Cafe is a must-visit for lovers of the color pink. This entirely pastel cafe boasts a stunning pink interior with vibrant decor, including (you guessed it) pink furniture, walls, and even a pink billiards table. You can sip on a cup of coffee and indulge in pink-themed desserts while enjoying the whimsical ambiance and twee setting.

The cafe offers a selection of pink-themed merchandise for taking home a keepsake. Pink Pool Cafe is located in the bustling Hongdae shopping district, making it the perfect detour for a charming coffee or popping in for a quick Instagram pic.

Beaker.

Beaker

Beaker is a multi-brand concept store that carries a few different lines but maintains a cohesive aesthetic and feel. Beaker originated in the artsy Hongdae neighborhood and has since expanded to other locations in notable shopping destinations in Seoul, including Garosu-gil and Shinsegae Department Store. The primary location is in Hongdae, where you’ll find the largest layout and best selection.

What sets Beaker apart is its impeccably curated selection of cutting-edge fashion from both local and international designers. The boutique features a mix of contemporary streetwear and avant-garde pieces. To put it plainly, Beaker traffics in the hipster aesthetic. If you want to know what styles are “next,” this is the place to go. Beaker’s thoughtfully designed space also creates a vibey shopping experience, so it’s a joy to visit regardless of whether you buy anything or not.

Photo credit: Skyler W on Unsplash.

Insadong

For a traditional Korean shopping experience, exploring the Insadong neighborhood is like stepping back in time.

This historic district is known for its art galleries, antique shops, and traditional craft stores. You'll find unique Korean souvenirs, such as hanbok (traditional silk clothing), ceramics, calligraphy brushes, and hanji (traditional paper).

Regardless of your shopping aims, taking a leisurely stroll down the main street lined with quaint shops and tea houses is a great way to immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Korea. You can easily reach Insadong from the city center by subway Line 3. The best shopping streets are a quick walk from Anguk Station.

Photo credit: Hill Country Camera on Unsplash.

Common Ground

Located in the Gwangjin-gu district, Common Ground is easily the most unique shopping center in Seoul. This innovative complex is built entirely from repurposed shipping containers, giving it an industrial-chic aesthetic. Common Ground curates a selection of local designer boutiques, pop-up stores, and independent brands. It’s entirely aimed at attracting young and trendy shoppers, and it’s become a destination for international travelers looking for a fun place to find the best up-and-coming South Korean brands.

The clientele will be ultra-hip, given Beaker’s proximity to a local university, but it’s still an approachable and fun place to visit. Because the selection showcases independent smaller designers, the prices can vary from uber-cheap to very expensive. Common Ground is easy to get to, as it can be reached by taking the subway to Konkuk University Station. From there, it's a short walk. Just look for the cluster of blue shipping containers. You can’t miss it.

While it’s understandable that fashionistas will want to hit up Seoul’s many upscale fashion districts and boutiques during their visit, visiting one of these distinctive shopping destinations is a great way to explore Seoul fully. It offers an insight into Korean culture that can be both traditional and modern experiences. You might even run into your new favorite piece of clothing.

How to Help Your Kids Enjoy Science.

One of the most important things any parent can do is help their child learn to love the world around them. Many parents are unsure how they can encourage their kids to become curious thinkers and willing to explore. Fortunately, even if you aren't very good at science yourself, it's possible to help your child learn more about planets, dirt, atoms, chemistry and even fossils. Here's how.

Yue at the Fantasy Forest in Lotte World, Seoul.

Get them the right gear.

Did you know you can buy kids lab coats? Consider investing in a lab coat and some great science gear for your kids. While you can do plenty of science experiments with things you have around the house, you'll be able to study even more with your child if you have a telescope and microscope. At the very least, consider getting items your child can use to collect and examine insects, leaves and flowers in your area.

Read with them.

There are plenty of books available that focus on science. Kids don't have to be bored in order to learn. Head to your local library or bookstore and pick out some fun books about different scientific topics. For example, you could read a book about kids discovering fossils to learn about dinosaurs or a book about a child who gets sick to learn about viruses and illnesses. Make sure you choose several different books to give your kids a well-rounded understanding of different ideas.

Morgan checking out books at the City Library.

Get online.

Did you know there are online classes you can try with your kids? Even if you don't have a science museum nearby, you can take online science courses to learn more about nature, dinosaurs and biology. Consider enrolling in an online course with your kids to learn more. If classes aren't your thing, play some online discovery games together to learn more about specific scientific topics.

Remember that you don't have to know everything about science in order to enjoy learning with your kids. Even scientists don't know everything there is to know about science! The world outside is constantly changing and growing, so the important thing is that you have fun exploring with your kids and learning as a family.

Seoul Searching Made Easy with iVideo Pocket Wifi!

It's been three days since we returned home from our (almost) month-long trip to South Korea, and as always, I have tons of Seoul Searching stories to tell. But before I ramble about all the fun, historical, and whimsical places that we've been to in Seoul, as well as all the restaurants and food stalls that we tried, and all the makeup and skincare products that I bought, let me first tell you about this pocket wifi service that made my traveling a lot more convenient and twice the fun!

A few weeks prior our trip, I discovered iVideo, a Taiwanese company that specializes in providing low-cost wireless internet access rental services to tourists and travelers in many destinations across the globe. My initial thought was "OMG! I can finally play Pokemon Go in Korea!" I was psyched!

Pokemon hunting in Korea, made possible with iVideo Pocket Wifi! :)

And with that, Peggy (from iVideo's Marketing team) and I came to an agreement - they'll provide me with wireless internet access while in South Korea in exchange for an honest review of their service. I then made arrangements with the Customer Service team as to when and where the pocket wifi will be sent. I had the parcel addressed to my friend Bongsun's house (she lives right around the corner from our place), with its estimated date of arrival around the third week of May.

The parcel from iVideo - unboxed.

The parcel was delivered safe and sound (thanks to Korea's reliable postal service) to Bongsun unni's house on May 19th - still within the schedule. Inside the parcel was a hard case pouch which contained the following: an instruction leaflet, a USB cable, a charger, and the iVideo pocket wifi device, fully charged and ready to use.

The hard case pouch.

Instruction leaflet.

Very basic instructions. :)

USB cable and charger.

iVideo pocket wifi.

The device need not be set-up or installed. You simply turn it on, wait for your smartphone to detect it, then connect to the network by entering the password indicated on the device.

Wifi ID + password.

This particular device connects to the LG U+ network, a cellular carrier owned by the LG Corporation of South Korea, and one of the more popular LTE networks in the country. It provides unlimited data with 4G connectivity, and I had no issues with the speed even if all three of our smartphones (mine, my husband's, and Yue's) were connected to the pocket wifi. In fact, this device can support up to ten wifi-enabled mobile devices.

Red signal lights indicate poor connection + battery needs to be charged.

As per instructions, red signal lights indicate that the signal is poor. I usually get this whenever we're on the subway, but that's normal. For the most part, this device gets a pretty strong signal, which helped me a lot whenever we're out and about in Seoul.

Green signal lights = all good!

This pocket wifi has good battery life, too. I was able to use mine for at least ten hours, and thankfully, it never died on me while I was on the road. Charging time is about four hours - a bit long, though charging my power bank takes longer.

All in all, I'm quite happy and very much satisfied with my iVideo experience. Thanks to the iVideo pocket wifi, I was able to do all these without having to look for public wifi signals or use Globe's crappy yet expensive data roaming service:

At the Teseum Teddy Bear Theme Park.

- Facebook Live during the Seoul Rose Festival and while I was at Seoullo 7017;

- update my social media pages while on the go;

- stream and watch my favorite Korean dramas on my smartphone during my commute; 

- find my way through Google Maps whenever I feel like we're lost;

- send/receive messages and call the husband on Viber/Messenger to let him know that we've arrived at this or that destination

- catch as many rare Pokemons as possible (at least the ones that have not appeared here in the Philippines) and get as many items from the Pokestops along the way!

World Trade Egg Gym in Lotte World Mall (Jamsil, Seoul).

I had no trouble returning the device either. All I had to do was visit the nearest FedEx branch, hand the return packaging to the staff, and that's it!

iVideo Pocket Wifi rate for Korea.

If you're flying to Korea or elsewhere around the world and would like to stay connected to the internet as you travel, I suggest you rent a pocket wifi from iVideo. Not only do they offer competitive rates, their Customer Service Team is also very cordial and extremely reliable. I loved their service so much that I'm planning to rent a device again on my next trip. Thankfully, they also offer unlimited data to Singapore! :)

You can rent a Pokemon Go Plus device, too!

Visit the iVideo website to view their rates and all the countries that they cover.
Or follow their social media pages for the latest updates:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iVideoWiFi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iVideo_en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivideowifi/
Email: ivideo.en@gmail.com

Seoul Searching | Seoullo 7017.

My childhood friend Melissa came to Korea for a quick vacation. We hardly saw each other back home in the Philippines, so we made arrangements for us to meet while both of us are here in Seoul.

We met-up last Friday, a few hours after her arrival, to enjoy the sights and sounds at the Seoul Rose Festival in Jungnang District (will blog about this later); then we met-up again yesterday, the day before she flew back to the Philippines. We went on a gastronomic adventure at Gwangjang Market, something I've always wanted to do but could not because Yue isn't too fond of local Korean delicacies. Afterwards, in true ahjumma fashion, we hung-out at nearby Cheonggyecheon Stream, sipping on fruit smoothies while catching up on each others' lives. Finally, we decided on a whim to feed our curiosities and visit Seoullo 7017.

Hello, Seoullo!

This structure was once known as the Seoul Station overpass, where cars once sped along. The overpass was built in 1970 as a response to the growing traffic congestion in Seoul, and for years, it connected the eastern and western halves of the city. However, in 2006, the structure failed the annual safety inspection and was later on closed to traffic due to safety issues.

While other aged overpasses in Seoul have been demolished or have been considered for demolition. the Seoul Station overpass underwent major transformation and was then reborn as 'Seoullo 7017'.

Locals and foreigners walking along 'Seoul Street'.

The view from above. Hello, Seoul Station!

More of Seoullo 7017 after the jump!

Sneak Peek | The Face Shop x The Simpsons Collection.

Spring may be far from over, but The Face Shop has already launched their summer collection for 2017. And surprise, surprise! It's another collaboration collection, this time with America's most famous family (not The Kardashians, lol), The Simpsons!

The Face Shop x The Simpsons Collection.

Like most of the 80's babies (I believe we are called Generation Y), I grew up watching The Simpsons together with my siblings. I was so into this animated series, so much that I even begged my parents for a skateboard because I wanted to be as cool as Bart. Haha!

¡Ay, caramba!
View the complete collection after the jump!

Seoul Searching | Unhyeongung Palace + Goblin's House!

When we arrived in Korea last week, the first thing we did (after catching up on much-needed sleep) was go to Unhyeongung Palace. If you're a Kdrama fan, then you'll probably understand why this place is at the top of my spring itinerary.

The palace, located within the vicinity of Insadong, was a filming location for the hit drama Goblin, which starred Gong Yoo. We did not have the chance to visit this place last winter, during the height of Goblin's popularity, so I made it a point to stop by the next time we come to Korea. And we did, last Tuesday. Unhyeongung Palace was actually our first stop, then Insadong, and afterwards Jogyesa Temple.

The entrance to Unhyeongung Palace.

To Goblin's House we go!

More of our adventures after the jump!

Spotlight | Innisfree Cushion Primer.

I sure am lucky when it comes to sale events here in Korea. I almost always chance upon good deals whenever I'm here, and last winter was no exception.

When we visited Insadong last December, the Innisfree store in that area had a huge sale - with some of the items being sold at half the price! I went on a shopping spree, of course, and one of the items that I bought was the Innisfree Cushion Primer. This product normally retails for 10000 won (around Php 440 or $9), but I was able to buy this for only 5000 won.

Innisfree Cushion Primer.

From the name itself, this product is to be used as a primer for your cushion to increase its adherence to your skin, thus making your makeup last longer.

Product description at the back of the box.

This hydrating primer also makes the skin texture smooth and flawless as it covers pores and fine lines.

Contains mineral powder and Jeju green tea.

Similarly, it allows for easy application of your cushion/foundation, as if it 'glides' on to your flawless canvas of a skin.

Benefits of the Innisfree Cushion Primer.

It contains mineral powder and Jeju green tea to control excessive sebum, while moisturizing the skin at the same time.

Squeeze tube.

Dispenser tip.

Much like the Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Primer, the Innisfree Cushion Primer comes in a slim and handy 25 mL squeeze tube. The plastic tube is easy to squeeze, and the tip allows you to dispense just the right amount of product.

How the primer looks like.

This colorless primer has a soft and silky texture. It does not feel greasy or sticky, and is easily absorbed by the skin. When applied, it gives the skin some sort of cooling effect, which I find quite refreshing. It also has a light, floral scent which isn't exactly subtle; you might want to take this into consideration if you're olfactory nerves are quite sensitive.

Left, without primer. Right, with primer.

I love this primer's lightweight formula, the silky texture, and how it preps my skin nicely for cushion application. In terms of concealing pores and fine lines, this primer does a fair job of keeping these skin issues at bay. And although the Innisfree Cushion Primer does not have a mattefying effect, it helps control the oil on your face and keeps makeup intact for hours.

Covered the back of my hand with cushion.
Left, without primer. Right, with primer.

Will I repurchase? Yes! Hopefully I chance upon another crazy markdown sale while I'm here this spring! :)

Products used:
FACE: Innisfree Cushion Primer,
Benefit Erase Paste in Medium,
Laneige Milkyway Fantasy BB Cushion Whitening.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner,
Clio Salon de Cara Backcomb Cara.
CHEEKS: NYC Cheek Glow Powder in West Side Wine.
LIPS: Kiko Milano Luminous Chrome Lipstick in 707 Peony Red.

Seoul Searching | 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards + COEX C-Festival!

A few days before we flew back to Korea, Ms. Ana Park of Buhay Korea informed me that the 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards will be held on May 3 at the COEX Mall. Most Kdrama and Kpop fans know how important this event is - it's the most prestigious arts awards in South Korea, given to the cast and production staff of TV programs and movies broadcast or shown during the previous year.

I was floored - not only because I will already be in Korea by then, but also because the venue is just a few subway stops away from where we live. I know the route like the palm of my hand!

The nominees of the 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards.

The 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards experience after the jump!

And yes, it was surreal! :)

Seoul Searching | Jogyesa Temple.

Buddha's birthday is one of the most important holidays in South Korea and is celebrated according to the lunar calendar. It usually falls on the eight day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar, and this year, Buddha's birthday is today, May 3rd.

Last year, Yue and I had the chance to experience the festivities of this important Korean holiday during our first visit to Bongeunsa Temple. This year, we chose to visit another Buddhist temple in Seoul - the Jogyesa Temple, located just a few meters away from Insadong.

Iljumun - the one pillar gate of the Jogyesa Temple.

Temple run!

More of Jogyesa Temple after the jump!

Seoul Searching | Hyundai City Outlets.

We visited Hyundai City Outlets last winter upon the recommendation of my Korean friend, Bong Sun unni, who owns the Filipino store in our neighborhood. Knowing my penchant for sneakers, she told me to drop by 'this new mall in Dongdaemun' where there's a crazy sale on shoes. And so off to Dongdaemun we did, with hopes of finding a pair of Jordan 11 Space Jam in my size.

Hyundai City Outlets.

Huge Christmas tree near the entrance.

Huge tops that kids can sit on and play with. 

More of Hyundai City Outlets after the jump!

Seoul Searching | Revisiting SMTown: SUM Liverary Cafe.

I'll let you in on a secret. I almost always chance upon a Korean celebrity whenever I go to COEX Mall right after visiting Bongeunsa Temple. I call it the 'Bongeunsa magic'. Like last spring when I saw some of the IKON members in passing during the 2016 C-Festival.

A few weeks later, I chanced upon Park Seo Jun's meet and greet event for the shoe brand that he was endorsing. And this happened after Yue accidentally toppled over one of the snow globes in the temple's souvenir shop. Can you imagine how I went from mad to glad after seeing one of my favorite Korean actors up close, in the flesh? It was crazy, I tell you.

Last winter was no different. Yue and I went to the temple for our usual visit, crossed the street afterwards to get to COEX Mall, and headed straight to SMTown because I wanted to grab a bite at the SUM Liverary Cafe. Lo and behold, I saw a throng of teenagers waiting excitedly at the SMTown Square! I knew right then and there someone was coming because almost all of them had their camera phones ready, and some of the girls even had DSLR's with long-range zoom lenses.

EXO For Life event, December 2016.

As Yue and I joined the crowd, I asked one of the girls who was coming. With a huge smile, she answered, "EXO!" And I was like, "Oh my God, EXO?!" even though I was not really a fan. I mean, it's not everyday that I'll get to see Kpop idols at a close distance without having to spend an arm and leg so I might as well make the most out of this opportunity.

Kai and Suho (I think).

Minutes later, the boys emerged from this huge metal door across the Square, and the crowd went in a frenzy! Turns out they had an event at the SMTown Theatre and stopped by briefly at the Square to say 'hi' to their fans.

Baekhyun.

Chanyeol and Baekhyun.

As soon as the group left the area, Yue and I made our way to the fourth floor of SMTown, where SUM Liverary Cafe is located. In one of my previous posts, I've mentioned that this floor is a cafe, art gallery, souvenir shop, and mini grocery all in one place.

SMTown Liverary Cafe.

The mood was quite festive when we entered the place. Most of the customers were EXO fans who were still on a high after the fan meeting. 

Christmas feels on the eve of New Year's Eve. :)

Yue and I checked out their goods and we discovered that the SUM Market has gone beyond popcorn, potato chips, and instant noodles. They now have chocolates, trail mixes, laver, and even cereals, too!

Premium chocolates.

Chocoballs.

Gochujang.

Trail mix.

Laver on the top shelf, cereals on the bottom.

They were even raffling off EXO merchandise signed by the EXO members themselves. You get a raffle ticket if you buy a pack of the EXO Laver, EXO Cereal, and EXO Gourmet Popcorn.

EXO Winter Album event.

Meanwhile, at the SUM Cafe, they still have these cute macarons and cupcakes on the menu.

Macarons.

Cupcakes.

Their 'Artist Ade Bottles' (lemonade in drink bottles bearing the logo of SM Town artists), on the other hand, now have a new look.

Artist Ades! :)

These clay figures of EXO were also on display. They're not for sale, but the albums can be bought at the Celebrity Shop on the second floor.

More EXO.

Almost all seats at the cafe were taken so Yue and I decided to buy food to go instead of eating there.

Busy day at the SUM Cafe!

I bought a Super Junior Yummy Box which contains a bagel, butter, and strawberry jam. It's housed in a reusable container designed as a CD. 

Super Junior Yummy Box.

On our next trip, we'll try to visit the SUM Cafe in Cheongdam-dong. It's located on the underground floor of SM Entertainment's building so there is chance of bumping into Leeteuk or Taemin, or maybe even Siwon! I hope the Bongeunsa magic will still work wonders the next time around!

Hite x Shinee!

Celebrity Shop, second floor.

Guess who? :)

SMTown Floor Guide.

Inside the Celebrity Shop.

Siwon merchandise! :)

To get to SMTown, take the Seoul Subway Line 2 and get off at Samseong Station, Exit 5 or 6. The station is directly connected to the mall, with entry at the Millenium Square.

SMTown at COEX Artium
513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6002-5811