Annyeonghaseyo Dongdaemun, Seoul Korea! Shopping!

Annyeonghasaeyo!

I’ve heard the raves, I’ve heard the gushes about how fantastic Korean fashion is! 

We’ve seen it on screen, we’ve seen it in stores. 

Well darlings, lemme tell you this – I’ve been to the fashion land (albeit a short visit) to see if for myself, and boy, was I drooling all over them.

So where do you go shop-a-drooly?

Dongdaemun (East Gate)

It is a fashion paradise here – imagine Platinum Mall in Bangkok but on a larger scale. I kid you not – look at the map!

Dongdaemun

Due to time limitations, I only managed to check out 2 buildings here – Doota and Migliore. 

OK, the deal about Doota (compared to Migliore) is that tourists can get the tax refund receipt here, and the prices are steeper.  

Pictures accredited to The Korea Blog

FYI, foreigners are not required to pay sales tax, hence, for certain purchases, where a tax refund receipt (be sure to get this!) is issued by the store, you get to obtain your refund at the airport :)  However, in Doota, you can apply for the refund and obtain the refund in Doota itself. You'd need the original tax refund receipt from the store, get your refund documents sorted and processed on level 5, next to 2 souvenir stores, and ta-dah, you are refunded.
 

Check this link out on more info for tax refunds in Doota and click here for tax refunds generally in Korea.

Don't forget to make a stop here after you're done shopping!
Hop over to the souvenir shops next to the tax refund counter, as I found them priced fairly.

Pictures accredited to The Korea Blog

Note though, most retailers in Doota are willing to issue the tax refund receipt, but not in Migliore. A tip that you can try - to negotiate with the retailers to give you a better discount, for you to forgo the tax refund receipt.

It was Autumn in Korea when I went – hence, Korea was getting ready for Winter season with winter jackets, wool tops/dresses and long sleeved chiffon tops. The jackets were so gorgeous – a fusion between military and MJ style. Alas though, I found that clothes in Doota were too expensive for my liking. I couldn’t bring myself to damage my pockets with a purchase here :(         

Picture accredited to Fashion Snoops

Prices that I came across were as follows:

Earrings starts from KRW20,000 (approx. MYR60!)

Chiffon tops start from KRW45,000 (approx. MYR135)

Jackets start from KRW130,000 (approx. MYR390)

Skirts from KRW 30,000 (approx. MYR90); sale items KRW20,000 (approx. MYR60)

Address:

Seoul-si Jung-gu Euljiro 6-ga 18-12

Operating Hours:

Monday: 19:00-05:00 (next day)
Tuesday-Saturday: 10:30-05:00 (next day)
Sunday: 10:30-23:00

Closed: Sunday 23:00-Monday 19:00

How to get there?

Dongdaemun Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 8.
Cross the street, and walk 130m forward to arrive at Doota.

With the painful prices grabbing on to my purse, out of Doota I went and straight into Migliore, which is right next door to Doota! 

What’s the difference between these two neighbours? 

The PRICE for sure and the store décor. Whilst stores in Doota has the more chic and stylish décor, I honestly think all that extra costs were passed on to the consumers via it’s heftier price! 

The clothes’ designs seemed similar to me, though I’ve been told that the quality in Doota is much better than Migliore. I was too blinded by the cheaper price to notice any difference on the quality. Oh! Not forgetting also, tax refund receipt is virtually unheard of in Migliore – good luck trying, if you do not believe me!

Now, Korea is known for its drama series for a reason – there’s drama everywhere! Try asking for a discount and you’d see the raw talents showcasing. The ajumma (older ladies- refer picture below) look like they are gonna get a heart attack from your vulgar thoughts of haggling! =P

Azumma, the animation feature from H Culture.The Korea Blog has a perfect illustration of an Ajumma

 

Try rehearsing this script for the silver screen’s perfect drama:

You: Eee-go, uhl-ma-eh-yo?(how much is this?)

Ajumma: [whips up calculator to punch in a price]

You: gak-ka  say-yo ? (discount please?)

Ajumma: aii-gooo aii-gooo (Korean's equivalent to Oh my!)

[a variety of reaction here – 1) clutches heart in disbelief like the world is ending or 2) throws calculator and start muttering a string of Korean words]

This here is your cue to insert own dramatic come-back.

At most, you’d be lucky to haggle KRW10k (approx. RM15) off the quoted price. 

The rare moments when I remembered to take pictures =P

Prices here are approximately:

Tops – starts from KRW24k (approx. RM 72) onwards (managed to get the distributors’ price on this, when agreed to buy 3 pieces)

Work skirts – starts from KRW30k (approx. RM90)

Work dresses – starts from KRW30k (approx. RM90)

Winter jackets – starts from KRW80k (approx. RM240) 

IMHO, it is absolutely worth it as no other in your homeland (unless you're from Korea or Japan) would have the same fashion! Yay to that!

Address:

Seoul-si Jung-gu Euljiro 6-ga 18-145

Operating hours:

10:30hrs – 05:00hrs (next day). Closed on Mondays

How to get there?

- Subway Line 2,4, 5 Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station Exit #14 – 3min walk
- Subway Line 1,4 Dongdaemun Station Exit #8 – 3min walk

Dongdaemun is still in my heart eventhough it's been a while since i came back! Good luck not having the urge to hop on to the next plane and fly over pronto! 

Toodles then, till the next time!