Among some of Seoul’s major tourist sites are a few
unique flea markets selling all kinds of secondhand goods and antique
items. Some of them take place all year round, while others are held on
a weekly, yearly, or seasonal basis. From handmade goods and food to
artwork, secondhand clothing, household appliances, musical
instruments, and other unique items, the sheer diversity of goods is
enough to warrant a visit to any of Seoul’s major flea markets located
in the popular and accessible neighborhoods of Hongdae, Myeong-dong, Gangnam, and Itaewon Special Tourist Zone.
Hwanghakdong Flea Market (Dokkaebi Market)
The Hwanghakdong Flea Market is a special market located along the Cheonggyecheon Stream that sells secondhand goods. It is also popularly known as “Manmul (all-things) Market” due to its variety of goods and “Dokkaebi
(a Korean goblin) Market” as the dark interior of the shops stacked
high with antiques makes one think of a place where goblins might live.
The flea market is comprised of street vendors selling old books and
videos, the antique street, the electronic appliance stores, the
machinery stores, and the stalls out on the street. The market place
became more popular thanks to the recent visit of G-Dragon, a member of
the Korean pop group Big Bang, during the shooting of Korea’s popular
entertainment show Infinite Challenge (Muhan Dojeon; 무한도전).
More Info
- ☞ Directions
- 1) Sindang Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 6), Exit 11.
- Take a right out of the exit. Walk to the four-way, cross the street and take a right to arrive at the market.
- 2) Dongmyo Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 6), Exit 5.
- Walk straight and cross Cheonggyecheon Stream. Turn left after crossing the stream and take your first right to reach the market.
- ☞ Date: Open all year round (open-air stalls are closed in the case of rain or snow.)
- ☞ Operating hours: 09:00-18:00
Seoul Folk Flea Market
The Seoul Folk Flea Market sells specialty products from different regions in Korea. The market was formed by gathering the former shops and vendors of Hwanghak-dong Flea Market (Dokkaebi Market),
who lost their shop locations during the restoration of the
Cheonggyecheon Stream. The Seoul Folk Flea Market offers everyday
goods, souvenirs, and folk items that shed light on the past lifestyles
of Koreans. The market is divided into specialized spaces for selling
miscellaneous goods, clothing, antiques and crafts, local specialties,
tourism souvenirs, and more. Visitors to the market can also enjoy a
wide range of traditional Korean snacks and food at affordable prices.
More Info
- ☞ Address: 21, Cheonho-daero 4-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
- ☞ Directions: Sinseol-dong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 9.
- Walk straight out of the exit and take your first right. Continue along this street, take your second right. The market will be ahead on your right.
- ☞ Date: Second and fourth Tuesday of every month
- ☞ Operating Hours: 10:00-19:00
- ☞ Website: pungmul.seoul.go.kr (Korean only)
Insa-dong’s Ssamziegil
Ssamziegil, an arts and crafts specialty
shopping mall on the famous Insa-dong Street, first opened its doors
December 18, 2004. Visitors can find a diverse collection of Korean
handicrafts and designer goods. The shopping mall has four above ground
levels which
are connected by a walkway that wraps around the mall’s atrium.
The shopping center offers plenty of attractions as exhibitions,
performances, and events take place in its courtyard. In addition,
nearby Insa-dong Art Street and the many galleries, traditional teahouses, and restaurants lining Insa-dong Street allow visitors to experience traditional Korean culture in the heart of Seoul.
More Info
- ☞ Address: 44, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- ☞ Directions: Anguk Station (Seoul Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6.
- Walk about 40m ahead and turn left down Insa-dong Street. Ssamziegil will be ahead on your left.
- ☞ Date: Open all year round (Closed on Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) holidays)
- ☞ Operating hours: 11:00-21:00
Hongdae Free Market
Photo: Hongdae Art Free Market
The Hongdae Free Market started in 2002 in the college neighborhood of Hongdae
and has been held each year to allow artists and visitors a chance to
interact and communicate in a public, open space. It is Korea’s largest
art market, bringing together over a hundred artists who put on
performances and sell, exchange, and exhibit their work every week; it
sets itself apart from flea markets, where second hand goods are sold
and purchased. The works that are most commonly sold here include metal
crafts, leatherworks, ceramic crafts, woodcrafts, glass works, and
recycled art. Visitors to the market can also enjoy performances by
local buskers.
More Info
- ☞ Address: 84, Yeonnam-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (the playground area of Hongdae)
- ☞ Directions: Hongik University Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 9.
- Exit straight and walk until the first big 4-way intersection and take a left. Continue along this street until reaching the entrance of Hongik University. Turn right at this 3-way and the playground where the market operates is on the right.
- ☞ Date: Every Saturday (March-November) *Cancelled in the case of rain or snow
- ☞ Operating hours: 13:00-18:00
Myeong-dong Myeongnang Market
Photo Credit: Living & Art Creative Center
The Myeong-dong Myeongnang Market is a night market held
from 17:00 until 21:00 on Fridays. Around a hundred groups participate
every week in making up the vendors of this market. As this weekly
market takes place in the major Seoul tourist destination of Myeong-dong,
it draws many international tourists and locals alike. Visitors can
explore a wide variety of goods and crafts that reflect the unique
personality of each vendor in a relaxed, playful atmosphere. Come
nightfall, candles and lanterns are lit at each stall to create a
pleasant atmosphere.
More Info
- ☞ Address: 181, Euljiro 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (the area of the KEB Bank plaza)
- ☞ Directions: Euljiro 1 (il)-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 6.
- Take your first left and walk straight to reach the market, which takes place within the KEB Bank plaza.
- ☞ Date: Every Friday (May-October) *Cancelled in case of rain or snow
- ☞ Operating hours: 17:00-21:00
Seocho Saturday Flea Market
Photo credit: Seocho-gu District Office
The Seocho Saturday Flea Market has been held for 13
years and was originally a place for selling used household items in an
effort to combat the effects of Korea’s IMF economic crisis in 1997.
Comprised of around 700 stalls each week, the flea market is held on
Saturdays from 9:00 to 15:00. The market is divided into different
sections with goods for the general public, children and adolescents,
nursery products, and seasonal items. The market also holds street
concerts, creative arts programs, and other hands-on events for
visitors.
More Info
- ☞ Directions: Sadang Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 4), Exit 11.
- Take an immediate right out of the exit and the market will be up-ahead.
- ☞ Date: Every Saturday (March–November) * Cancelled in the case of rain or snow.
- ☞ Operating Hours: 09:00-15:00
Itaewon Gyedanjang Market
Photo: Usadan Village
Itaewon Gyedanjang Market, gyedan meaning stairs
in Korean, has its name from spreading goods out on the stairs. This
fun flea market is held the last Saturday of every month
from spring to autumn; you will catch a glimpse of an unusual
scene where visitors step up and down the stairs to purchase clothes,
art and crafts as well as many other items on sale. It would be quite
fun to explore what the sellers unfold on their display stand and
stalls with a variety of goods. There are also small operas and
performances by indie bands, turning the market into an exotic village
festival.
More Info
- ☞ Address: Next to the stairs near Itaewon Seoul Central Mosque
- ☞ Date: Last Saturday of the month (March-October)
- ☞ Operating hours: 12:00–18:00
* This column was last updated in October 2015,
and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We
advise you to check details from the official websites before visiting.
<Last updated on October 15, 2015>
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