Where to go in Seoul? Everything you need to know about purchasing official K-POP goods
🛍️ Introduction to Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center for K-POP Official Merchandise
Outline
- 🛍️ Introduction to Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center for K-POP Official Merchandise
- What is Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center?
- Why is it a mecca for K-POP fans?
- The reason it sells only official merchandise
- 📍 Location of Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center and How to Get There
- How to get there by subway
- How to get there by bus or on foot
- Insert location map (including image insertion guidance)
- 🛒 How to Use Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center
- Business hours and holidays
- Introduction to main stores and popular shops
- Payment methods and tax refund tips
- 💡 Tips for Using Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center
- How to get discounts
- Recommended visiting times by time of day
- How to avoid crowds
- ⚠️ Precautions for Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center
- Key points to be cautious when purchasing
- How to identify fake merchandise
- Tips for safe shopping
Key Phrase: Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center K-POP Official Merchandise
🎶 For K-POP fans around the world, this is a dream shopping destination you must visit at least once! It’s the Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center K-POP official merchandise shop. Myeongdong, located in the heart of Seoul, is already famous as a mecca for shopping and food, but the underground shopping center is known as a paradise for K-POP fans.
🔎 Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center isn’t just for clothes and accessories. There are several stores that specialize in selling only official merchandise of popular idols like BTS, BLACKPINK, SEVENTEEN, and NewJeans. The stores are filled with collectibles like photo cards, official light sticks, acrylic keyrings, and fan books that spark collectors’ desires.
✨ It’s so famous that even international fans travel by plane just to shop at Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center. Above all, the greatest advantage is that only officially certified merchandise is sold, so you can shop with peace of mind.
💡 Additionally, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants around the shopping center where you can take breaks, so even a whole day spent shopping won’t feel like enough time.
📍 Location of Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center and How to Get There
🚇 How to get there by subway
- Directly connected to Exit 6 of Myeongdong Station (Line 4)
- 5-minute walk from Exit 5 of Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2)
- Within a 10-minute walk from Chungmuro Station (Line 3)
🚌 How to get there by bus or on foot
- Get off at Myeongdong Station on bus numbers 421 or 472
- About a 7-minute walk from the main street of Myeongdong
📌 Google Map Location:
👉 View Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center on Google Maps
🗺️ TIP:
It tends to get crowded on weekends, so visiting between 10 AM and 12 PM on weekdays is recommended!
🛒 How to Use Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center
⏰ Business hours and holidays
- Open daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Some stores may be closed on public holidays and during Chuseok and Lunar New Year holidays
🏪 Main stores and popular shops
- K-STAR SHOP: BTS official merchandise specialty store
- HALLYU PLACE: Specializes in BLACKPINK, TWICE, and Stray Kids goods
- K-POP SQUARE: Sells official light sticks, photo cards, and limited edition items of various groups
💳 Payment methods and tax refund
- Most stores accept credit cards (VISA, MASTER, UnionPay, etc.)
- Some stores offer additional discounts for cash payments
- Foreign tourists can claim a tax refund at Incheon Airport/Gimpo Airport
💡 TIP:
Most stores display new merchandise in the afternoon rather than in the morning, so visiting between 1 PM and 3 PM is recommended!
💡 Tips for Using Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center
✅ How to get discounts
- Many stores automatically apply discounts when purchasing two or more items
- Get an extra 5% cashback when paying with Naver Pay
✅ Recommended visiting times by time of day
- 10 AM to 12 PM: Enjoy peaceful shopping
- 1 PM to 3 PM: New product update time
- After 6 PM: Avoid this time as it gets crowded with international tourists
✅ How to avoid crowds
- Avoid Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons
- Visit right after lunchtime on weekdays for a relaxed shopping experience
⚠️ Precautions for Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center
❗ Key points to be cautious when purchasing
- Always check for the “official merchandise” label
- Inspect the packaging condition before purchasing
❗ How to identify fake merchandise
- Prices that are suspiciously low
- Absence of official hologram stickers on packaging and labels
- Avoid products with poor print quality
❗ Tips for safe shopping
- Be mindful of your belongings (pickpocket incidents have occurred)
- Always request a receipt and keep it safe
- Check the product for defects immediately after purchase at the store
🍀 Recommended Restaurants Near Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center & Locations
🍜 After a fulfilling shopping spree, make sure to visit the recommended restaurants near Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center! Myeongdong is packed with various eateries, from traditional Korean food to global cuisine. Here are my top 3 recommendations along with their locations:
📍 1. Myeongdong Kyoja (Famous for Knife-Cut Noodles)
- Signature Dishes: Knife-cut noodle soup, dumplings, bibim noodles
- Price Range: KRW 10,000–12,000
- Location: 29, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Map Link: View Myeongdong Kyoja Location
📍 2. Gopchang Tteokbokki Hwaddeok (Instant Tteokbokki)
- Signature Dishes: Spicy rice cakes, fried snacks, sundae (blood sausage)
- Price Range: KRW 6,000–10,000
- Location: 15 Myeongdong 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Map Link: Myeongdong’s famous restaurant, original Gopchang Tteokbokki Hwaddeok
📍 3. Daol Charcoal Grill Restaurants
- Signature Dishes: Myeongdong Korean bbq
- Price Range: KRW 14,000–20,000
- Location: 54-2KR, 1st floor, Myeongdong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Map Link: View Daol Charcoal Grill Restaurants
- 👉 Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center K-POP Official Merchandise Shopping Guide: Introduction, Location, How to Use, Tips, and Precautions
- 👉 “Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center K-POP official merchandise”
- 👉 View Top 5 Shopping Spots in Seoul
- 👉 Check Out K-POP Concert Schedules in Seoul
❓ Q1. Can I use a credit card at Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center?
👉 Yes! Most stores accept international cards (VISA, MASTER, UnionPay) and local payment options like Naver Pay and Kakao Pay. Some stores even offer additional discounts for cash payments.
❓ Q2. How do I spot fake merchandise?
👉 Be cautious of items with suspiciously low prices, missing hologram stickers, or poor print quality. Official stores always have certification labels and high-quality packaging.
❓ Q3. Are there any nearby accommodation recommendations?
👉 Yes! High-end hotels like L7 Hotel, Sejong Hotel, and Royal Hotel Seoul are within a 5-minute walking distance, making overnight stays hassle-free.
❓ Q4. Can I shop even if I don’t speak Korean?
👉 Absolutely! Most store staff speak English, Japanese, or Chinese, and they are experienced in assisting international visitors.
❓ Q5. Where can I get a tax refund?
👉 You can claim your tax refund at the Tax Refund Booths at Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport by presenting your receipt and passport.
📝 (12) Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center Shopping Review & Real Tips
🌟 Real reviews from people who have visited are incredibly helpful before shopping. So, here are my personal experiences and tips!
👀 Atmosphere
Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center is lively and trendy. If you’re a fan of BTS or BLACKPINK, this place is truly a souvenir shopping paradise! Each shop is decorated with a K-POP concept that excites any fan.
💡 Recommended tips
- Be sure to check out the photo card drawing corner. It’s random, but getting a rare card will make your entire day!
- Visit between 2–4 PM to see the widest range of new products.
- After shopping, stop by Gomo Ne Tteokbokki nearby for a spicy snack and energy boost!
❗ My failure experience
I once fell for fake merchandise. Don’t be tempted by prices that seem too cheap! Always check for the official hologram label!
📊 Top 5 Popular K-POP Merchandise at Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center
| Rank | Item Name | Why It’s Popular | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Official Light Stick | A concert essential, often limited edition designs | KRW 35,000–55,000 |
| 2 | Photo Card Set | A collector’s must-have, with the fun of random draws | KRW 10,000–15,000 |
| 3 | Acrylic Keyrings | Popular for decorating bags and pouches | KRW 8,000–12,000 |
| 4 | Mini Figures | Popular desktop decorations | KRW 15,000–20,000 |
| 5 | Limited Edition Albums | High collectible value, includes posters/photo cards | KRW 20,000–35,000 |
🎁 Must-Visit Photo Spots After Shopping
- In front of the mural at Exit 6 of Myeongdong Station: Large BTS poster
- Inside K-STAR SHOP’s photo zone: Take photos with standees of BLACKPINK, SEVENTEEN, and other idols!
- Myeongdong Central Plaza: Beautifully lit at night with K-POP music playing — perfect for photos!
🛡️ Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center Safety Guidelines
🚨 Managing your belongings
Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center can be very crowded, so keep your belongings in front of your body. A zippered bag is the safest option.
🚨 Save emergency contacts
- Seoul Tourist Police: Dial 1330 (multilingual support available)
- Underground Shopping Center Management Office: +82-2-778-0803
🚨 Emergency response steps
- Nearby 24-hour pharmacy:
Seoul Jungang Pharmacy (118, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul) - Pharmacy map: View Seoul Jungang Pharmacy Location
🚨 What to do if you lose something
If you lose an item, report immediately to the management office. CCTV footage can be checked.
