Even in bustling Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Seoul, you can feel a peaceful rural sensibility if you find the right place. Follow narrow and winding alleys and you will find just such a mood at a tiny shop named Kohukku Market. Named "Kohukku," which means "happiness" in Japanese, the store sells character antiques and vintage items related to Japanese animation from the '80s and' 90s.
This tiny, one-room shop is filled with a variety of items from dolls, key rings, vintage stationery and props of classic Japanese animation characters such as My Melody, Hello Kitty and Pompompurin. Relatively more practical everyday life items such as curtains, piggy banks, cutlery and electronic fans are in stock as well as small ornaments. Small ornaments and products are also displayed inside drawers and boxes placed everywhere, so customers may open them one by one to find things that suit their taste.
However, visitors should take caution not to damage fragile vintage items while looking around, as many products are over 30 years old, with some being rare and hard to find nowadays. Vintage lovers can also check what items are in stock on the store's Instagram account and website. Kohukku Market is open daily from 2 p.
m. to 8 p.m.
, every day of the week. Play In The Box If you are early for an appointment at Coex, a large underground mall in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul, or have extra time to spare before a movie at the Megabox Coex, head over to Play In The Box to entertain yourself with capsule v.
