This month there are a lot of pop-up stores in Hongdae’s AK& building! PopUps are some of the best places to get content for Instagram, or just have a great time without spending money. Plus, at many of these places, you can get some amazing freebies!
Won Record X Woori Bank
Until 2022.12.18
This is a PopUp store in collaboration with Won Record and Woori Bank. It is a little bit hard to locate, so let me run you through how to get there.
First, you’ll need to enter AK& Mall near the CU. When you enter, the CU will be on the left. You are going to go right. There you will see the entrance to Holiday Inn if you keep going straight. However, right before the Holiday Inn elevator, there is another elevator with a separate divider line leading you toward it. You should take this elevator to Musinsa Terrace on the 17th floor.
Here, on the 17th floor, you will be greeted by a wide open space and great views. This large space is divided into different spaces. You will see a clothing shop, a cafe, and a small theatre-like area. However, what we’re here for is the Pop-up!
In bright blue, this is a Pop-Up you can’t miss. Although it is a small space, there is tons to do. Over by the window, they have records by the window so that you can enjoy some sweet tunes and enjoy the views. Then, if you come with friends, you can head over to the ATM which is actually a photo booth.
While the activities are great, the best part for me was the freebies! If you post a picture or two on Instagram with the proper hashtags, you can get lots of free stuff. I got a cute little tote bag with a zipper and a free coffee at the cafe on the same floor. And, the coffee was amazing! You don’t just get an Americano, you can choose anything from their drinks menu. I got a Sesame latte and it was delicious!
Holiday Inn Express Christmas
Until 2022.12.31
Right next to the elevator to the PopUp above is the elevator to Holiday Inn. So, although this isn’t as big as the others on the list, you may as well stop by.
In the hotel lobby, there is currently a Christmas-themed Jeju Air display. Here you can snap a few Holiday pics and enter into their photo contest. You can win a makeup set, a convenience store gift card, or a mask pack set.
AK& Chikawa
Until January 1
In the same building, you can find the Chikawa PopSup store. In the main area of the AK& Mall, you can make your way over to the second floor for this cute character-themed PopUp.
Chakawa is a pretty new Japanese manga that became popular on Twitter starting in 2022. The characters were just turned into an animated series in April this year. It has quickly become one of the most popular series in Japan and is also loved by a lot of Korean children.
If there is anyone in your life who loves cute things that you need to buy a gift for this season, this is a great option! You can get them some adorable limited edition merch from a rapidly popularizing series.
Conclusion
This is a list of some of the PopUps you can find in Hongdae this December. Can you believe it? All of them are just within a single building! If you know of other fun PopUps in Hongdae, let us know in the comments below!
Want to have more seasonal experiences in South Korea? Click Here for information on where to find some Christmas magic!
