Physical spaces, pop-ups, and the utilization of fan power are all inherent to Seoul’s retail scene Since 2019, I’ve always wanted to go to Seoul. These plans however were pushed back at the start of the pandemic. And even when I resumed travel in 2023, Seoul wasn’t the destination.
Five years down the line, with increased Korean proficiency and K-pop fixations, I finally got to visit South Korea’s capital with my family. Wanting to go to Seoul was a no-brainer. I’ve been a huge K-pop fan since the end of 2018, and I just got out of a semester with an intensive Korean language class.
I wanted to put everything I’ve learned into practice. My TikTok For You page, however, decided to show me the best of what seems to be inherent in Seoul’s culture: its shopping havens. My bookmarks were quickly filled with Seongsu-based pop-ups, Myeongdong’s mecca-esque boutiques, and various other stores and stalls scattered across the city.
READ : 7 films coming to Philippine theaters this July Despite spending less than a week in Seoul, each day included a touchpoint with the city’s bustling shopping scene. And upon returning to Manila, I couldn’t help but think about how our own retail experiences could become even more enjoyable. Here are some things we can learn from Seoul’s shopping culture, which we can also apply to the Philippine shopping landscape.
Carve out your own space Physical shopping spaces are important in the Seoul retail experience. And they come in var.
