K-POP STORES
K-pop has taken the world by storm and has garnered many fans over the years. Each K-pop group will have a fandom of their own and there is no doubt that the current generation, ARMY, has the biggest population on this earth.
Being a K-pop fan tends to make you collect their merchandise and can be categorized as a hobby. We’ve got you some information on some of the best stores to get your merch from!
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Best K-pop Stores in South Korea
If you want to live your dream in the K-pop world, South Korea is the place! If you ever visit Korea, this should be included in your must-visit list!
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K-pop stores usually sell items like albums, plush toys, official merchandise, limited-edition merchandise, lightsticks, season greetings, apparel, and many other items that are related to Korean artists.
Music Korea
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Among all the K-pop merchandise retailers, Music Korea is among the largest retailers in the industry!
It is most famous as an online store, where buyers can preorder their albums and receive complimentary gifts such as posters or even photo cards.
Their store is located in Myeongdong just opposite a huge Uniqlo building. As you might know, this is the place where artists often host their fan signing events!
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As one of the biggest K-Pop merchandise retailers in South Korea, Music Korea is hard to not mention on this list. As a popular online store that ships globally.
Myeongdong is perhaps the hub if you’re looking to stock up your K-pop shelves as one of the busiest, bustling shopping districts in Seoul- with plenty of K-pop stores. It was only right to mention this prime hotspot. Right out of Exit 6 of Myeongdong Metro Station.
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When you step inside, you’re immediately taken on an enjoyable experience with ambient lighting, pleasant décor and neatly stocked shelves filled with the latest K-Pop merch, collectibles and even memorabilia of Korean Pop culture. You might even find yourself lucky by being rewarded a freebie upon arrival or when you purchase something!
What’s even better, and perhaps most important, is that sometimes chart-topping artists just might be holding a fan-signing the day you decide to peruse the aisles of Music Korea. You’d be super lucky to stumble on that feat with the ginormous queues though. But it still makes it quite an exciting stop. Be sure to visit if you find yourself in Myeongdong.
Address: 3F, 52, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Ktown4u
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A staple for international K-Pop fans as an online store that ships globally, stocks rare merch items, never runs out of your fave's lightsticks and even hosts celebrity and fan club events; KTown4U range of merch available here is astronomical.
From out of stock or years since sold out albums or concert film DVD, to obscure magazine clippings from when your fave's were still young and wearing too much eyeliner. KTown4U is the place to go.
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As another hotspot that hosts special events such as Birthday hangouts with the most coveted idols or fan-sign events; KTown4U officially opened its doors in Dongdaemun in 2017, and since has welcomed all you K-Poppies with open arms.
You can find it by visiting the Seoul Design Market by taking exit 1 or 2 from Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station. It’s closest to the B2 level entrance from exit 1 and closest to the first floor entrance to the design lab.
Address: D281, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul Design Market B2 NO.7
Buruttrak
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I can say this store gives you vintage vibes as it is not as modern as the rest of the music stores. The stores consist of merchandise of artists from the 90’s such as H.O.T, g.o.d, and many pioneer K-pop groups.
Buruttrak is located in the streets of Myeongdong, however, before visiting you can browse through their website and decide on which items to purchase when you arrive there!
Address: 37-1 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
K.Art Offline Store
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Located in the most visited spot by tourists, the K.Art store is found in the district of Dongdaemun.
You can find many K-pop merchandise ranging from groups of the past generation to the ones that debuted recently.
Address: 21-31 Euljiro 6(yuk)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center
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This next one is being listed as a compact unit, because Myeongdong Underground Shopping Centre is a Venus fly trap of K-Pop stores. It’s connected to the Myeongdong Metro Station exits, so it’s literally impossible to miss.
With all the coveted seriousness, this is perhaps the most important entry. The first glimpse as you stroll past is an instant kill, considering you won’t be walking out without a new merch of your favorite Idols.
It is said that you may be able to get these merchandise at a lower price which is highly recommended by fellow K-pop stans to visit.
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With several stores dotted about, the prices are quite competitive, which means you may be able to heckle and bargain to get that new Stray Kids album for cheaper. All the albums especially are official press releases and come with pre-order benefits.
Additionally, if your Idol has modelled for a brand, you can find their merch nestled in the nooks and crannies too! So, yes, that BTS x Starbucks special edition purple mug will be discoverable at Myeongdong underground center.
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Unfortunately, or very fortunately depending on your ability at decision making- the wide choice of stores makes it hard to recommend just where to go, mostly since they all sell different items and for different groups and offer wholly different (but still awe-struck) experiences. I guess you’ll just have to try them all.
I hope your travel buddy won’t mind committing several hours of their life getting lost with you in the depths of K-Pop fineries and items.
You can check a small tour our Seoulteam made for you!
Address: Seoul B 72, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu
Yes24
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Being an online platform that provides pre-order for albums and merchandise, they are also a bookstore which is located in Hongdae, Seoul.
If you are a bookworm, visiting this store will be worth it! Not only do they sell K-pop merch and albums, but they also have second books up for grabs!
Address: 356-1 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
If you want to experience Korean culture and snacks along with K-pop goodies then get your Seoulbox today!
M2u Record
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This store is among one of the many music retailers! You should be familiar with the name as they often provide lucky draw benefits when you purchase an album through their website.
M2u is located in Sinchon-dong, Seoul, and is close to a subway station that can be easily accessed.
Address: 87-14 Sinchon-ro, Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Hottracks
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Hottracks has several branches spread out all over South Korea. This store however is located in Seoul.
They have a wide variety of items such as stationery, albums, and everything about K-pop! Tourists often visit this store to purchase gifts or souvenirs.
Address: 종로 1, Jongno-gu, Seoul
withDRAMA Offline Shop
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Rumors have it that this store is one of the biggest Korean wave merchandising companies. Their four stores are located all around Seoul.
If you are attending a K-pop concert or miss the chance to get their specific merch, this store has got you covered! They also stock up most items from big groups such as BTS and Blackpink.
Address: 22 Apgujeong-ro 12-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
I Doll Look
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If you are a soft toy collector this store provides all the merchandise from your favorite K-pop groups!
You’re able to purchase adorable clothing for your dolls at their miniature size! They might even come with accessories to make sure they are as stylish as your bias!
I Doll Look is located in the streets of Hongdae and now has branches in Busan and Seomyeon.
Address: 74, Hongik-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
20 Space (Café Cube)
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20 Space lands at no. simply because, as well as offering the best lines and stock in official K-pop merch, they also offer you food to go or sit and eat in its cute K-pop themed café. The place used to be called Cube Studio Café, owned by Cube Entertainment.
The face has a serene ambiance and relaxing vibe that follows you as you peruse the souvenirs, merch, and albums of Cube artists, such as BtoB, (G)I-dle and Jeon So-Yeon. So, if you’re a fan of cube artists, this is certainly the place to indulge your tastes. The modern and sleek interior design adds to the calming atmosphere and the overall experience is quite pleasant.
The store is located near Seongsu Metro Station.
Address: Seongsu 2(i)-ga 3(sam)-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
SM Town and Store
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If groups like Red Velvet, EXO, Girls’ Generation, Super Junior, and all other artists of SM Entertainment have caught your attention then this no.1 is sure to bring you to your own personal K-Pop Nakwon!
Arguably one of the most popular SM-exclusive K-Pop shops in Seoul, SM Town and Store located in Dongdaemun showcases a wide range of K-Pop merch related to SM artists. From albums, fashion accessories, unique DIY souvenirs and more, you can find anything and everything you dreamed of owning with the faces of SM’s talent plastered all over it.
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But beware, the more popular the group or artist you stan is, the more in-demand their goods are and the less likely you are to see room for other artists on those shelves. But never to fear as there is something for everyone at our top spot for K-Pop merch in Seoul.
Address: 281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Pop Up Stores
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What is a pop-up store? It’s pretty simple actually, pop-up stores simply exist for a short period. Unlike regular stores, pop-up stores are not permanent and are often moving around to various locations.
Most idols have pop-up stores where their limited merchandise will be sold.
In the Soop Pop Up Store
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As you know In the Soop has now several seasons featuring Hybe’s artists BTS and Seventeen.
The store was open to the public for about 2 months at the Hyundai Seoul Mall in Korea.
Lucky for our Seoulbox team, they were lucky enough to visit the store! Watch their vlog here
The store was filled with apparel that was worn by the members throughout the show as well as other distinctive merchandise.
Many items that vary from blankets, apparel, plush toys, accessories, and stationaries were available for purchase.
Blackpink ‘4+1 Project’ Pop Up Store
In conjunction with the groups’ 5th anniversary, YG entertainment held a pop-up store event to celebrate the milestone.
The pop-up store was held for nine days located at a café building opposite YG’s office.
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There were installations of their outfits, sets and a huge projection of their music video was prepared for the fans.
Limited merchandise such as clothing, bags, accessories, and stationaries was designed according to the theme and made available for purchasing.
BTS Permission to Dance Pop Up Store
The pop-up store was held in Seoul and was associated with their online concert which was called “Permission to Dance”
The store featured the concert merchandise product line as well as additional limited items. Different styles of sets can be found throughout the store making it Instagram-worthy!
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As it was held during the pandemic, a limited number of people were allowed to be in the store. However, the store was open for about a month!
Since there were only certain things we were allowed to record, our team took a visit and gave us a sneak-peak of how it looks inside!
In conclusion, K-pop stores are worth a visit if you are a fan! You’ll be able to experience shopping for the items in person rather than shopping online.
Let us know below which stores you are most excited to visit!
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