Seoul is known for many things, from its café culture to its efficient transportation systems to being the entertainment hub of South Korean music and film and so much more. However, during my semester at Korea University, one thing I’ve come to identify with this bustling culture is Seoul’s use of space, specifically in the form of pop-up stores!
If you find yourself walking along the streets of Hongdae, Myeongdong, Insadong, Ewha, or Sinchon (or any busy district, for that matter!), you’ll most likely find yourself walking by empty or seemingly “deserted” buildings. Yet, these buildings may not be what they seem. Think of them like the plain, mundane exterior of a jack-in-the-box toy. There’s nothing that gives them away, per se, as anything fun or of interest. Until BAM!—sometime later, you go back and see something new and completely different than before, usually for a limited time, until it returns to its abandoned-like state.
Alchemy of Souls Pop-Up Exhibition
While studying abroad in Seoul, one of my favorite memories was seeing the pop-up art exhibition dedicated to the Korean drama “Alchemy of Souls,” or 환혼 in Korean. This is one of my all-time favorite dramas, as I remember studying abroad at Ewha Womens University last summer when it started airing in South Korea. I remember sitting in the hotel room with my mom, who was visiting, and randomly scrolling the channels when this drama came on. We both immediately got hooked on it despite our meager understanding of Korean.
Being able to attend this temporary pop-up event was so much fun because it was such a surreal and unique experience to see the props from the drama’s set. We could step into the scenes and world of “Alchemy of Souls,” if only for a short time, take some amazing photos, and overall leave the exhibition with memories that will last a lifetime and a newfound appreciation for the lore and work that went behind making such a fantastic drama.
Attack on Titan Pop-Up Exhibition
Another pop-up event I stumbled across while revisiting one of my favorite malls in Hongdae—the AK Plaza mall, which is the perfect hub for all my fellow anime and manga/manhwa/donghua lovers!—is an “Attack on Titan” themed exhibit, store, and café. If you’re anything like me and love anime, then the fourth and fifth floor of the AK Plaza Mall is the place for you! Hongdae is home to one of the few manga cafes I’ve found in Seoul, a café you can go to and read as much manga or manhwa as you like in your own little cozy cubby space. It’s also home to the AK Plaza, an anime/manga or manhwa lover’s haven. Just take Subway Line 2 to Hongdae University Station (홍대입구역) and leave through exit 3 or 4 to the AK Plaza Mall.
Back in this mall, I came across a temporary “Attack on Titan: Final” pop-up event in honor of the anime’s ending. I attended this with my friends for less than $15 USD, during which we walked through a completely themed and decorated museum of artwork, artist sketches, quotes, and models of the Titans and characters from the anime. Additionally, there were many amazing photo zones and films to be watched throughout regarding the anime, either from the anime or the creator himself. The store boasted some unique merchandise from the experience, a themed photo booth to take fun photos in, and a creatively themed and named café that was honestly delicious!
Recommendations
One of the hardest things about being in Seoul and wanting to attend pop-up events is, in my experience, finding them. I learned about the Alchemy of Souls exhibit from my friend, who was also studying abroad at the same time as I and randomly stumbling across the Attack on Titan pop-up event while exploring. During my time, I have come across many other pop-up stores while exploring, but if you want to find a specifically themed pop-up event or store, then it becomes a lot harder to learn about them before it’s too late and they disappear.
One recommendation for making finding pop-up events easier is simply talking to people! You’d be surprised by how quickly word gets out on events and pop-ups among other exchange or international students. Also, take advantage of social media—there are social media accounts dedicated to pop-up events and stores in Seoul that provide information, details, time, date, and location. Some official Instagram accounts include @popupmate and @popupstorego, which I have found helpful in learning about new pop-ups throughout Seoul. Lastly, all I can recommend is to go exploring! Who knows, maybe you’ll find that jack-out-of-the-box to surprise you one day, as I found mine with Attack on Titan and Alchemy of Souls!
Emma Gullen, University of Iowa, is studying abroad in South Korea with TEAN.
