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A K-Pop Fan’s Ultimate Guide To Shopping In Seoul

There’s no better place to hoard K-pop merch than in Seoul. It’s the mecca for shoppers, as it’s literally the city where K-Pop was born. Here, you can buy all sorts of stuff–from albums to lightsticks, photocards, accessories, clothes, or even random goodies. 

Now, we know, it can get overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to start. Don’t worry–whether you’re a first-gen fan or a newbie, we got you. Merch ban who? Read on to know the best places to shop for K-Pop goods in Korea!

 

Myeongdong

Known to be the busiest shopping street in Seoul, Myeongdong should be on your itinerary if you’re planning to stock up on your K-Pop merch. 

Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center 

via Visit Seoul, Andy Flores

If you’re looking for affordable K-pop merch, this underground shopping center is a must-visit. Located at the Myeongdong Station, this shopping center offers inexpensive goodies like stickers, posters, calendars, and other unofficial K-Pop and K-drama memorabilia. They open until late, which means you can shop even at night. 

Location: 124 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Operating Hours: 9 am to 11 pm

 

Buruttrak

via Buruttrak

Searching for old K-Pop albums? Buruttrak is your go-to shop. This record store has been around since 1979 and is popular for selling CDs, DVDs, LPs, and even old Korean music albums. Rummage through their complete collection of albums and who knows, you might even find a signed one! 

Location: 37-1 Myeongdong na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Website: https://buruttrak.business.site/
Operating Hours: 10 am to 11 pm (Monday to Saturday); 11 am to 11 pm (Sunday)

 

Myeongdong Shopping Street

via Pixabay, Korea Tourism Organization

More than the albums and official merch of your faves, you may also want to consider buying some of their product endorsements. Many of these are found along Myeongdong’s famous shopping street, with a variety of stalls and malls lined up along the alleyways. What to shop here? Check out cosmetics, food, skincare brands, and fashion items in this busy shopping area.

Location: Myeongdong, Seoul, South Korea

 

MusicKorea

via MusicKorea

You may have known MusicKorea as an online store. But if you’re in Korea, you don’t have to wait for weeks before your order arrives–just go straight to their shop! Find your favorite new-gen albums, photo books, limited edition albums, and more in this music hub.

Location: Musickorea, Nature Republic 3F, 52, Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
Website: https://www.musickorea.com/
Operating Hours: 9:30 am to 10:30 pm

 

 

 

Gangnam

Gangnam is home to various K-Pop agencies in Seoul. It’s your best bet to get a chance to see idols or accidentally bump into them a la K-drama scene (sasaengs not allowed!) Be warned though, K-pop merch sold here can be quite expensive compared to other districts in Seoul. 

 

KTown4U

via KTown4U

Ktown4U is another well-known international online store of K-Pop merch that has a physical store in Gangnam. It’s a huge store that sells all kinds of K-pop merch you could ever think of– from albums to photo books, accessories, fashion items, photocard packs, DVDs, lightsticks, slogans, toys, tumblers, stationery, and more. 

Location: Ktown4u 2F, 18, Teheran-ro 83-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea​
Operating Hours: 10 am to 10 pm

 

Kyobo Book Centre

via Andy Flores, VisitKorea

Kyobo Bookstore is not your ordinary bookstore. It’s famous for being Korea’s largest chain of bookstores, where you can also buy magazines that feature your favorite K-Pop groups. Aside from that, they also house a music store, where you can listen to and buy your favorite albums. 

Location: 465 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea

 

 

Hongdae 

Hongdae is known to be the hip and youthful neighborhood of Seoul. Expect younger crowds, more shopping, street performances, and various cafes and restaurants around the area.

Withmuu

via withmuu

This store and cafe in one is a haven for most K-fans. They sell various K-Pop merch from the most popular groups to the up-and-coming indie artists. Aside from official merch, they also have random cute trinkets that you might want to buy as well. Get your post-shopping coffee fix at the withmuu cafe and order coffee and pastries while watching K-Pop music videos.

Location: 2nd floor, AK Plaza, 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Operating Hours: 11 am to 10 pm

 

Idolllook

via IDollLook

If you’re looking for other cute K-merch aside from albums and lightsticks (that you probably already have), check out cute k-dolls from Idolllook! This shop offers cute plushies and costumes that’ll remind you of your favorite idols! Get your dolls’ OOTDs here which are perfect as souvenirs!

Location: 4th floor, 74, Hongik-ro 6-gil (Donggyo-dong), Mapo-gu, Seoul
Operating Hours: 10:30 am to 5:30 pm (Closed on weekends)

 

BT21

via BT21

ARMYs will be delighted to know that there’s specifically a shop where they can purchase BT21 merch right in Hongdae. Find cute items like pillows, phone cases, sleepwear, bags, and stuffed toys that you’ll want to take everything home!

Location: 141, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Operating Hours: 12:30 pm to 8:30 pm

 

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Planning your K-Pop pilgrimage? Browse through KKDay now for more exciting attractions and experiences to try on your dream trip to South Korea!

 

Updated by Tin Valeriano

 

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