Shop for souvenirs and home decor with a local touch while in Seoul—from a multi-label store in the Zaha Hadid-designed Dongdaemun Design Plaza to independent boutiques that retail beautiful tableware and cutlery, these are the places you should visit
Koreans are sensitive to trends, but at the same time, they are also active in finding their own sense of style. Because they know that if you use a cup made by your favourite artist every day, then even the little moments like drinking a cup of water could become a joyful part of your day. To actively enjoy a life with design and craft while building personal memories but also sharing with others via Instagram is quite common.
For travellers, the themes of a Seoul tour can be very diverse to include elements of shopping, beauty, gourmet, and K-pop. But if you would like to get some insights into how the locals live, try visiting Korean lifestyle shops to take a peek at how they might decorate their homes.
There are many concept stores all over Seoul for those who pursue an artistic lifestyle. For those who are all about aesthetics, here is a list of shops filled with original design products. Once inside, be careful not to lose track of your time in these stores!
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1. DDP Design Store
One of the must-see attractions of Seoul, the dynamically shaped DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) never gets old. This multi-cultural complex offers a wide range of content; what is inside is as interesting as the unique exterior. At the DDP Design Store, you might just go in empty-handed but come out with both hands full of souvenirs. The spacious space of 5,887 sq ft is filled with “Seoul vibes” together with various items including daily necessities, gift selections, and souvenirs for tourists, to name but a few.
The DDP Design Store, where you can experience and own the design and culture of old and new Seoul and even Korea, is operated by the Seoul Design Foundation. “We curate excellent designs and crafts, and support those creators. Through this, we are rediscovering Seoul’s values and establishing its identity,” says Rhee Kyung-don, CEO of the foundation.
Among eye-catching collections, Blank Project is characterised by a contemporary perspective toward Korean culture and beauty. In the Blank Project, Pebble Hwatu changed its traditional plant images drawn on the Hwatu—a Korean card game—to the cute Bellygom, a pink bear mascot that has taken Korea by storm. That makes it a keeper!
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