SHOPPING IN SEOUL

I thought I'd do a separate post about shopping in Seoul so far, since during this first week I've been here, I've had time to explore a bit and go shopping before the studying actually starts taking more time. It was a big surprise to me how good the possibilities to shop here are! From high-class brand stores to chain stores and local markets. I have been shopping in a few different areas so far, and each of them is different from the other.

Gangnam

 

Gangnam is one of my favorite areas in Seoul. The place is what it would be like if the companies of Wall Street and the apartments from Upper East Side would be combined and put together in one area. Stylish people, expensive apartments and openly advertised places for plastic surgery. I like the general feeling of the place a lot and there is just so much to explore! I've been there twice, once on one of the busy shopping streets and once at the underground shopping mall at Gangnam station. There's really everything in Gangnam; luxury brands, chain stores, Korean shops, you name it. I can't wait to also experience the nightlife, maybe next weekend :) In addition, all the most expensive cars can also be seen at the streets of Gangnam.

Myeong-Dong

The day I visited Myeong-Dong was really rainy, so I only explored a part of the area. I got my Korean sim card there with help from a friend and we also shopped a little at Forever 21 and the Korean brand stores. We also ate something that so far, has been the best food in here! You can see it in the picture. Can't remember the name of the restaurant, but it was next to Forever 21. I will do a post about Korean food later :) This area also has a lot of Korean cosmetics shops and a cool Korean music store on the second floor of one of the Nature Republic stores.

Hongdae

Another one of my favorite places in Seoul to shop is Hongdae. Even though the area is known for its  busy nightlife (which I experienced last weekend but more of that later), there are also some really good shops and little 'market' areas. You can find chain stores like H&M, Forever 21 and Bershka there, but also the small Korean shops with quirky shirts and only "one size fits all" clothes. There are also many cosmetics shops, from Korean stores like The Face Shop and La Biotte where I bought a lip tint that looks like a wine bottle, to international brands like Lush where me and my roommate bought a such a good smelling soap for our dorm room. There are also cat cafes! We went to Ycat Cafe. The entrance fee was 9,000W and you get one free drink and a lot of cute cats to pet :)