13 Best Stores in Seoul to Shop for K-Pop Merchandise

For any K-pop fan in the world, Seoul is the ultimate dream destination. Being the epicentre of the Korean Wave, the capital of South Korea is the place to be if you want to immerse yourself in K-pop culture. What’s more, the best K-pop shops in Seoul hold an awesome variety of albums and merchandise. 

Sure, you can probably get your hands on albums and whatnot thanks to online shops, but it can sometimes take ages for your precious cargo to arrive. It’s also usually quite pricey due to import taxes and shipping fees. That’s why, when I visited Seoul a few years ago, I went on a K-pop shopping spree and returned with an impressive haul! 

You can generally find stores selling K-pop merchandise in most tourist hotspots. However, there are certain stores and locations that are better and provide a more holistic shopping experience. As a K-pop fan (I identify as a Once), I’m here to spread the joy! 

Also read: 15 Best Airbnbs & Vacation Rentals in Seoul for Every Budget

Myeongdong

Any true K-pop fan will tell you that the first stop of your K-pop adventure should be the bustling streets of Myeongdong. Easily accessible via the Seoul Metro, this vibrant district is a celebration of youth culture, much like Taipei’s Ximending and Tokyo’s Harajuku. You can find plenty of delicious street food carts, a plethora of branded cosmetic stores and, of course, treasure troves for diehard K-pop fans!  

1. Music Korea

Music Korea is one of the biggest K-pop merchandise retailers in South Korea. Not only does it have a popular online store that ships globally, it also has a physical store in Myeongdong. Right out of Exit 6 of Myeongdong Metro Station, you’ll see a massive Uniqlo building. Opposite it is where you’ll find Music Korea (third floor). 

Inside, you’ll be able to buy the latest K-pop merchandise ranging from official albums and posters to collectibles and even K-drama memorabilia. Sometimes, the store may even give you freebies like posters or photocards if you buy something! What’s more, shopping at Music Korea — based on personal experience — is quite enjoyable. From the neatly stocked shelves, the ambient lighting and the pleasant decor, the store feels almost therapeutic. 

And most importantly, when popular artists release new albums, they sometimes hold fan-signing events at the store too! However, you’ll have to be super lucky to win a chance to meet your idols up close. (But hey, it’s worth a shot, right?)  

Address: 3F, 52, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opening Hours: 10.30am to 10pm daily

Also read: Here’s How The South Korean Government Helped K-pop Rise to Global Fame

2. Buruttrak

Compared to Music Korea, Buruttrak (or Buru’s Ddeurak) is more laid-back and rustic. Instead of a fancy-looking building, it operates out of a humble, homey shoplot. Like Music Korea, it stocks plenty of official albums and goods. This famous store also sells a selection of posters, notebooks, stickers, coasters, and other collectibles. 

Unlike other K-pop shops in Seoul, Buruttrak has a rare selection of oldies, from OG K-pop groups like g.o.d, Fin. K.L., H.O.T., and more! You can even visit their website to enquire about the availability of a particular item before visiting, too. 

Address: 37-1 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opening Hours: 10am to 10.30pm daily

3. Myeongdong Underground Shopping Centre

However, before you even reach Buruttrak or Music Korea, you’ll likely pass by the Myeongdong Underground Shopping Centre. It’s connected to the Myeongdong Metro Station exits, so it’s literally impossible to miss it. My friends, I say this with all seriousness: this is my most highly recommended spot to buy your K-pop merch in Seoul. 

There are quite a number of K-pop shops to choose from, which means that prices are quite competitive. That means you may be able to score something for a cheaper price here. The albums are all official (and come with the usual pre-order benefits) and there are also additional merch like lomo cards, stickers, and even towels! If your idol has modelled or advertised for a particular brand, you can probably find the related merch here too! 

I don’t have a favourite store to recommend here but that’s mainly because they all sell different items. You could easily spend hours here before you even emerge onto the streets aboveground! 

Address: 124 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opening hours: 9am to 11pm daily

4. Palette

Palette is a one-of-a-kind K-pop store in Seoul, being a megastore and exhibition space rolled into one. Located in the basement of Lotte Young Plaza, it provides an immersive experience for fans. Walking in, customers are greeted by interactive screens displaying photos of K-pop idols. They can leave likes and customised messages on the screen which respond to their movement. In the Artist Stage zone, high-resolution screens give visitors the feeling of being inside an idol group’s music video.

To differentiate itself from other K-pop shops in Seoul, the store stocks exclusive K-pop goods, items curated by artists, and brand collaboration items. Stop by to hunt for merchandise you won’t get anywhere else. 

Address: B1, 67, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 

Opening hours: 11.30am to 9.30pm

Also read: 11 Most Iconic K-Pop MV Locations That Fans Will Love

Gangnam

The district of Gangnam shot to fame thanks to the 2012 hit song, Gangnam Style. Generally speaking, Gangnam is an upscale shopping and nightlife district, punctuated by gleaming skyscrapers and stylish eateries and clubs. It is also known as the birthplace of the Hallyu wave as many K-pop agencies used to be located here. Read on to find out where you can experience the joy of K-pop in Gangnam. 

5. Gangnam Tourist Information Center

It might sound weird to visit a tourist information centre for your K-pop shopping needs but there’s good reason for it. Conveniently located in central Gangnam, the Gangnam Tourist Information Centre does more than just provide information to tourists. On the second floor of the building, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in a true Hallyu experience. 

Known as the K-Wave Experience Zone, this is where visitors can discover and learn about the rise of K-pop as a global musical genre. However, it’s not anything like a regular museum. You can find mock performance stages, virtual concerts, and music video filming sets. There’s even professional makeup artists who can turn you into a K-pop idol for a day! 

Of course, there’s also a cafe and store where you can shop for plenty of unique K-pop souvenirs. And, here’s a secret, K-pop idols sometimes drop by in person too! 

Address: 161, Apgujeong-ro,Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea

Opening Hours: 10am to 7pm daily

6. KTown4U

For the longest time, KTown4U has been a staple online store for many international K-pop fans. It shipped global group orders for albums, stocked rare merch like magazine features and official lightsticks, and even organised celebrity and fan club events! 

In 2022, KTown4U officially opened an offline store in Samseong-dong, Gangnam. You can stock up on official K-pop goods here ranging from albums to lightsticks. Occasionally, you’ll also be able to participate in special events such as birthday hangouts or (if you’re really lucky) fan signing events! 

The store is housed in the Coex Artium performance hall complex. You can get there by taking a train to Samseong Station, exiting the gate between Exit 5 and 6 of Subway Line 2, crossing Millennium Square, and going up the stairs next to Starbucks. 

Address: Coex Artium 2F, 3F, 4F, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Opening Hours: 2F: 10am to 8pm, 3F: 12pm to 10pm, 4F: 11am to 8pm

Also read: 15 Affordable Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals in Seoul for Budget Travellers 

Hongdae

Hongdae is a neighbourhood near Hongik University known for its lively busking, arts, and music scene. For Hallyu fans, Hongdae is notable for being a prime spot to find K-pop shops in Seoul and the talented buskers on its streets who perform K-pop covers. 

7. WithMuu

A stone’s throw from Hongik University MRT Station, you’ll find WithMuu, a one-stop shop for all your K-pop needs. This K-pop store in Seoul sells a dizzying variety of albums and merch. Whether you’re into popular groups or lesser-known ones, you’ll find goods from your faves here. The shop even has an entire shelf dedicated to lightsticks from various groups. Lightsticks are an essential item for K-pop fans, so make sure to get one for your next concert! 

At the entrance of the store, there are Lucky Draw Machines which work like gacha machines for K-pop photocards. Try your luck and see if you can get a photocard of your bias. After shopping, you can chill out at the store’s cafe. The cafe sells pastries and coffee, and plays K-pop music videos. 

Address: 2F, 172-173 Mapo-gu, Yanghwa-ro, South Korea, Seoul 

Opening hours: 10.30am to 10pm 

Also read: 10 Tips for Shopping in Seoul, According to Frequent Travellers

8. IDolllook

If you’ve already gotten a huge haul of albums, posters, you might be looking for more unique K-pop merch in Seoul. Head to I Doll Look, a shop which specialises in clothes and accessories for idol plushies. The shop has a styling corner where your doll can try out different looks and a photo zone for you to take pictures with your doll. Note that you have to bring your own idol doll as the shop does not sell them.  

Address: 4F, 74, Hongik-ro 6-gil (Donggyo-dong), Mapo-gu, Seoul

Opening hours: 11am to 11pm daily

9. SP Factory

Calling all EXO fans – there’s a K-pop store in Seoul just for you! SP Factory is a niche store selling EXO dolls and related clothing. The doll clothes sold here are based on real outfits worn by group members and cover a broad range of styles. Hanbok, leather jackets, and Halloween outfits are some of the items you can get for your EXO plushie. This is one of the best K-pop shops in Seoul to visit if you’re an EXO enthusiast looking for something specific to your interests. 

Address: 6F, 31, Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Opening hours: 12pm to 11pm daily

10. Line Friends Hongdae Flagship Store

Getting BTS merch in Seoul is more a question of what to buy than where to buy. The faces of the most popular boy group in the world can be found everywhere in Korea from convenience stores to cosmetic chains. If you’re looking for unique BTS merch, visit the Line Friends Hongdae Flagship Store. 

Sprawling over two floors, the store has an incredible variety of BT21 toys, stationary, and household goods that will test your self-control! BT21 is a collection of characters designed by BTS and Line Friends. Back in 2017, BTS spent a day sketching characters at a Line Friends store, who were further developed by a team of designers. The result of this collaboration was a line-up of eight characters: Tata, Mang, Chimmy, RJ, Koya, Cooky, Shooky, and Van. 

Beside the entrance, there is a giant Line bear you can snap photos with to commemorate your visit. Make sure to visit this K-pop store in Seoul if you’re an ARMY who loves cute character goods. 

Address: 141 Yanghwa-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Opening hours: 12.30 to 8.30pm daily

Where else to find K-pop shops in Seoul

11. Cubaker (Cube Café)

Cubaker, which used to be called 20 Space, is an ambient cafe on the first floor of the Cube Entertainment building. Located near Seongsu Metro Station, Cubaker features a modern, relaxing atmosphere where customers (fans or otherwise) can chill and enjoy refreshing drinks and yummy snacks. 

Apart from that, you can purchase K-pop souvenirs related to Cube artists, such as BtoB, CLC, (G)I-dle, and more. If you’re a fan of these acts, this is certainly a K-pop store in Seoul that’s not to be missed when you go on a shopping spree! 

Address: Seongsu 2(i)-ga 3(sam)-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opening Hours: 10am to 9pm daily 

Also read: 15 Unique Cafes in Seoul for Coffee, Brunch, & More!

12. Aladin Bookstore

Want to stretch your K-pop budget? Come to Aladin Bookstore in Jongno District, where you can buy secondhand K-pop albums at half the original price. These albums are in good condition and may even contain a photocard. Some hardcore fans buy huge quantities of an album to attend a fansign event. After the event is over, they sell their unused albums to secondhand bookstores like Aladin. Rest assured, this K-pop store in Seoul will not disappoint! 

Address: 395, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Opening hours: 9.30am to 10pm daily

13. The SameE Cafe (YG Cafe)

YG Entertainment opened The SameE Cafe in 2021 with the idea of creating a shared space for fans and artists to unwind. At this chic cafe, fans of Blackpink, Treasure, iKon, and other YG artists can get donuts with their ulti group’s logo stamped on them, along with coffee and sweet drinks. The cafe looks out onto the company building and plays loops of YG artists’ music videos. 

In the basement, you can buy official hoodies, figurines, albums, lightsticks, and more. Items are arranged by artist, making it easy to locate your desired merchandise. This isn’t the most affordable place to buy K-pop merch in Seoul as the items can be quite expensive. However, you can still do some window-shopping and admire the realistic idol figurines. 

Address: 6-3, Huiujeong-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Opening hours: 10am to 9pm daily

Also read: 12 Hidden Gems in Seoul That Are Worth Discovering

And there you have it, 13 of my personal favourite locations to look for K-pop merchandise. I’m sure you’ll be able to find something that you fancy in these K-pop shops in Seoul. The only other tip I shall leave you is to ensure you have enough space in your luggage because we all know you’ll need it! 

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Facebook image credit (right): Seoul Tourism | Official Website