GOASIAPLUS September 2017

Seoul Shopping
CLOCKWISE The
bright lights of
Myeongdong; Street
art in the Apgujeong
neighbourhood;
Rodeo street
featuring high-end
designers; Local
testing makeup at
the beauty counters
of Myeongdong
such as Etude House, Skinfood, Tony
Moly, Nature Republic, The Face Shop
with multiple outlets of the same brand
located every few metres from each other.
One of the great shopping experiences
in Myeongdong is the availability of
free samples and discounts in most
shops. You can get free facial masks and
fantastic bargains while shopping. Also,
the sales assistants can speak a few
foreign languages including English and
Chinese - to some degree - which makes
for a pleasant shopping experience for
international visitors who don’t speak the
Korean language.
With giveaways and discounts,
shopping for beauty products in
Myeongdong is comparatively cheaper
than in your home country. Do expect
big crowds and long queues during the
weekends, especially in the late afternoon
or early evening.
LUXURY FASHION MECCA IN
APGUJEONG
More so than just about any
neighbourhood in Seoul, Apgujeong drips
with money as it is here that much of
the city's highest of high-end shopping
is centered. Apgujeong is Seoul's luxury
fashion mecca and in the centre of
Apgujeong's fashion world is Rodeo
Street, the name and concept take after
the famed Rodeo Drive of Beverly Hills.
Rodeo Street of Apgujeong starts from
the twinned Galleria Department Store
which comprises two parts – Galleria East
and West – a parallel divide between old
money and the nouveau riche. Galleria
East is the original site for high-end
shopping where storefronts read Gucci,
Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana while Galleria
West is mainly funky boutiques featuring
youth culture and cutting-edge trends.
Galleria East is elegant but understated
but Galleria West is shimmering and
multi-coloured.
Apart from luxury shopping,
Apgujeong district flaunts high-end shops
and businesses that would help to make
yourself look beautiful and glamorous
– there are hair salons and nail shops,
dermatology and plastic surgery, and
modeling agencies.
Being located in one of the wealthiest
areas in the city, Apgujeong is an
interesting place for people-watching
and you might even spot the occasional
Korean celebrity.
“Galleria
West is
funky
boutiques
featuring
youth
culture and
cutting-edge
trends”
WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 27