The unique cosmetic brand TooCoolforSchool was introduced in 2009 and is a division of TODACOSA, the first chain cosmetic store in Korea. The name TooCoolforSchool reflects originality, experimentation, artistic sensibilities and the fresh, rebellious sprit of those in their teens, twenties, and thirties. The 3-story building in Myeongdong offers a cozy place for a little rest, entertainment and shopping spree for the fashion-minded cosmeholics.

Dongdaemun Stationary Store Street is located in Changsin-dong near Dongdaemun Station, and is a wholesale market selling toys and stationery. Almost 100 stationery stores are packed in the area, selling robots, dolls, play houses, various school supplies, party and event items, stationery, and toys. Visitors can purchase any items at prices 30-40% off of regular market prices and sometimes one can get bigger discounts.

E-mart is a discount supermarket operated by Shinsegae, a department store franchise. E-mart Yeoksam, located in a quiet, upscale residential area of Gangnam-gu, sells a wide variety of high quality products on two basement levels. There also separate stores such as a florist, a photo studio, an optician, and a coffee shop that provide varied commodities to make one-stop shopping possible and more pleasant. Moreover, E-mart Yeoksam is situated within minutes of Seolleung, a Joseon Dynasty royal tomb that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage, as well as Bongeunsa Temple.

Etude House is a cosmetics brand that sells makeup, hair, and fragrance products. The Etude House Myeongdong Chungmuro Branch, located in the heart of a major shopping district, carries a wide selection of cosmetics that customers may test before purchasing. Moreover, the brightly lit store interior, designed with a princess bedroom decor, adds fun to the experience. Also, customers can test samples before purchasing the products. It is visited largely by foreign customers from Japan, Thailand, China and other East Asian countries. Its most popular items include makeup and eyelash lengthening products, as well as creams made with pearls.

Opened in 1985 as the first public wholesale market in Korea, Garak Market offers separate sections for fruits, vegetables, garlic, fish, dried foods and meat in a 543,451 square meters area. Run by the Seoul Agricultural & Marine Products Corporation, the market is where agricultural and fishery products from around the nation are distributed and set for standard pricing. Throughout the night, the market receives lines of freight trucks filled with fresh food. If you want to see the auction, one of the more exciting aspects of the market, it’s best to visit between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. If you go much later in the evening you may get lost among the trucks and merchants that start pouring in. Because the market is so big, it may be too time-consuming and tiring to look around without first getting a map and deciding on which sections you want to visit.  

Tongin Market dates back to June 1941, as a public market set up for Japanese residents near the Hyoja-dong neighborhood when Korea was still under Japanese rule. After the Korean War the nation experienced a swift rise in population, which led to a natural increase in consumption and demand. As a result the area’s street vendors and stores used the former Tongin Market area as their marketplace. Now, Tongin Market consists of 75 stores, most of which are restaurants and grocery stores. There are also some shops selling manufactured goods like underwear and shoes.  

ARTBOX offers a wide variety of character products, stationery, and office materials. Its spacious store also provides character products related to Korean entertainment stars. Superb designs are the trademark of ARTBOX. 

LesMore is a shoe store that carries over 40 shoe brands including Nike, Adidas and Converse.The Myeongdong branch is located in a major tourist area and is popular among Japanese and Chinese tourists. The 2nd floor is designed to emphasize various international brands through a ‘shop-in-shop’ concept.

Lotte Fitin is a fashion mall easily accesible by public transportation as it is directly connected to the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station. It is the first site in Dongdaemun-gu commercial district to have the digital electronics store Hi Mart. The mall has implemented fixed prices to offer goods at reasonable prices. A variety of events and attractions take place to provide a more enjoyable shopping experience. Recently, on the 9th floor, Klive, a venue to see hologram concerts of some of your favorite Kpop stars, opened. The venue features the concert hall, a cafe (with great views of the Dongdaemun area), an art gallery, gift shop, and more! The outside facade of Lotte Fitin is lit up and changes, displaying varying media, a first of its kind in Korea. Also, the food court was designed by world-renowed designer Karim Rashid, and the interior designs are pleasant and elegant and vary by floor.

Ahwon Gongbang is a studio devoted to metal crafts. It offers various handmade crafts such as candlesticks, mirrors, and silver accessories. Operated by the same sisters, it tries to embrace both modern art and antique beauty unique in Samcheong-dong. Sophisticated, oriental items made by artists have attracted many international tourists and Japanese tourists in particular. It is a nice place for shopping or, simply, enjoying crafts.