Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Korea, Korea, Korea- Shop till you drop!



"SEOUL" GOOD TO SHOP


Worldwide, the word "shopping" sends different sensation to different people. Usually the women screams in delight while the men (probably being programmed in a different make- up genetically) clamps up. Well, unless he is a retailer or businessmen in the trade.
Of course, the credit- card folks will encourage and cheer us on, that's why "the men never gets it' (whoever came up with that interesting tag-line for the ladies' card?) 'cos they are not economy boasters in that sense.

It is amazing that shopping creates jobs, retail sales, warehousing, shipping, marketers etc.
Without shopping, life is mundane and stale in every aspect. Just like balancing the ecological system is essential, shopping helps to balance the job cycle and taking that away will hurt the industry.

I am planning for a trip to Seoul. Yes, for shopping. There is so much to shop for in Fascinating Korea. I am going to change some won now that the exchange rate is not bad given the strong Singapore Dollar...I know, I am helping their economy. Hey, but what goes around, comes around...

Annio Haseyo! There are apparels, bags, shoes, boots, accessories and beauty products from skincare to make- up. It's like a woman's paradise in Korea. There is so many things which you covet that look so good that you want to own.

Amethyst, those purplish semi- stones are also ample in Korea and they have so many designs to choose from. Hip clothes and wonderful accessories, down to stationeries (everything just look so cute), tempt me to spend my hard- earned money away. Oh, there are also very adorable dolls with beady eyes and laces and gorgeous children's clothes that you will want to lay your hands on if you have kids. You just tell yourself, you came all the way here, might as well buy something back and it's oh-so-cute! And those Korea Dramas VCDs too....

MUST GO SHOPPING PLACES

Check out Women's Paradise in Korea- Myeung Dong (like a street for women's shopping), Dong Daemun, Ee Hwa University and Nam Daemun. They each have their own unique selling points.

Myeung Dong has everything a modern young woman will covet, from clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories to make- up etc. If you are tired, you can also take a rest as there are many donuts shops, fast food chains or eateries around. The make- up or toiletries shop like Etude and Face Shop also pile up goodies (from cotton wool, tissue papers to sample trial size products and pencil case, pouches and waste paper basket) for you whenever you shop in their outlets, thanking you and encouraging you to purchase more from them.

In Dong Daemun (meaning Eastern Great Gate) area, there are many buildings, usually made of around 7 storey, with shops catering to women's interests. These are the few which you should check out: Doosan Tower, Migliore, Freya Town and Hello apM. Let me tell you, you can spend the whole day there and have not comb through all the buildings. These building usually have resturants or cafe, like our food court on their highest level so you can take a rest there if you are tired or need to take a break.

Ee Hwa University- one of my personal favourite. The shops were meant for the university female students. But of course, because of its gorgeous stuff and rows of interesting shops, they have become popular with alot of young Korean women too. They even have very cool make- up services and manicure shops within this area too. Yakun, our home grown brand is also found here.

You can walk to Nam Daemun as it is situated near to Myeung Dong. You get all sorts of people and products at Nam Daemun. In Korean, it means South Gate. there is alot of buzz here, with sellers shouting "Sale, Sale" and throngs of buyers or tourists squeezing their way through. There are shops selling seaweed, ginseng, kitchenware, accessories, books, children's clothes and all kind of miscellaneous goods and even money changer within this buzzling market place. If you are daring, you can try eating in some of the food they sell, from red-bean mochi to pancakes. But I will not recommend you trying the raw seafood they sell at their stalls. My friend tried with gusto and got food contamination with a bad tummy ache and I had to resort to buying her medication from the pharmacy.

Back to shopping- Though you can bargain in Nam Daemun, do not ever insult the sellers by slashing the price by half or more as the seller may feel insulted and not want to sell you anything after that.

I know a few key phrases and that help me quite a fair bit. It's not difficult, try it. It may help you in your bargaining.

KEY KOREAN PHRASES

How much: E-ru Ma-e Yo?
Discount Please: Ka-ka Tsu-seyo!
Thank You: Kam-sa Haminda
You are a nice person: Im-nida!
You are so pretty, miss: Ippoi yo, agashi!

Got it? Have key phrase, will shop. Don't leave home without these- ha.


CHECK OUT THOSE FOOD

Food- wise, as all Singaporeans are alike, we love food and are quite adventurous to explore.

Recommended list: Ginseng Chicken, Fried Silk worm (IF YOU DARE- Heard it's like fried peanuts and good for the men- boast up vitality, nope, I have not tried it), chewy rice cake with chilli, Bi Ping Pak, Ren Mien (Must try- Yummy cold noodle, especially for their Summer), raw octopus etc. There are all sorts of preserved vegetables a.k.a. kimchi too. And the fried seaweed is very tasty with sesame seeds. I highly recommend it. Yum!

Check out those ginseng and coffee flavored chewing gum too. It is quite interesting.
Guess you only get them in Korea!? Wonder if they have kimchi ones!??

I always come with an almost empty luggage. Then, usually end up having to sit on my luggage to squeeze all my "treasures" the night before I leave Korea. Maybe I am a shopaholic at heart. It's hard to resist shopping in Korea.

ACCOMODATION/ HOTEL STAY
I have some girl friends who asked where is best for lodging or rather which hotel to stay in?
Well, I would recommend them based on your budget per night and where you want to go everyday.

If budget is not a consideration- LOTTE Hotel Seoul is my favorite.
Choose Myeongdon Hotel which is conveniently located the shopping belt for quick access to shopping, food, entertainment and the subway. Always check if there are FREE WIFI or transportation to the airport. These can save you a lot of money and hassle.
Staying near Dongdaemun could be another alternative for the shopping queens too.
Just google, there are so many options from service apartments to even airbnb these days.


The latest craze is to go to Korea for plastic surgery.. Don't think I would need that for now. But hmm....who will know 10 years down the road, when I need a little lift? But for the time being, I'll stick to shopping for those BB cream, cosmetics and the facial masks.

Well, you have fun and tell me about your experience of Korea.
Who knows? We can exchange notes on where to shop next!










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