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Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Bukchon emerges as a new shopping hot spot in South Korea for global tourists
The House of Sulwhasoo, located in the heart of Bukchon. PHOTO: THE HOUSE OF SULWHASOO BUKCHON/FACEBOOK Bukchon emerges as a new shopping hot spot in South Korea for global tourists SEOUL – Nestled between the historical grandeur of the main palace Gyeongbokgung and the winding alleys of traditional hanok, Bukchon is being transformed from a heritage enclave into one of Seoul's most dynamic shopping destinations, particularly for international travellers. Once known primarily for its well-preserved architecture and cultural significance, it is now a growing hub for fashion, beauty and fragrance brands. With an influx of flagship stores, limited-edition product launches and experiential spaces, the neighbourhood is drawing attention fro m domestic trendsetters and foreign visitors. The transformation began around fiv e y ears ago, with small, independent perfumers popping up around Bukchon. 'That became a unique characteristic of the area, which then attracted an increasing number of fragrance brands. Now, you can find many domestic scent-related brands here. And with Tamburins – the most popular among foreign visitors – opening a store here too, it really proves Bukchon's growing status,' said a staff member of a local perfumery. That growth is backed by hard data. According to Seoul's real-time statistics, monthly credit card spending in Bukchon Hanok Village rose from 1.9 billion won (S$1.78 million) in January to more than 2.57 billion won in April. Projections suggest spending may exceed three billion won by the end of May. Recognising its potential , global and local brands are establishing a presence in the neighbourhood. Tamburins, a K-beauty fragrance label known for its minimalist design and immersive retail experience, opened its Bukchon flagship store in 2023. Tourist Giselle Roberts from Britain said: 'I'm a huge fan of South Korean actor Jung Hae-in, and after watching K-drama Love Next Door (2024), I really wanted to visit this area. It feels so authentic with all the traditional Korean architecture. Since Tamburins is one of the must-have items in South Korea, visiting the store was a top priority for me.' Luxury skincare brand Sulwhasoo also launched its House of Sulwhasoo Bukchon in a renovated hanok-yangok hybrid space that blends traditional Korean and Western architectural styles in 2021. A look into the interior of The House of Sulwhasoo. PHOTO: THE HOUSE OF SULWHASOO BUKCHON/FACEBOOK 'Bukchon is a symbolic area where the past and present coexist beautifully,' a Sulwhasoo representative said. 'The concept of 'house' is both private and expressive of one's tastes, which allows for a deeper connection to the brand.' House of Sulwhasoo Bukchon offers guided tours in Korean, English and Chinese, with foreign visitors making up about 60 to 70 per cent of attendees. 'I'm an exchange student from Mexico, and my Korean friend arranged this guided tour for me,' said Dominique Rodriguez. 'I really enjoyed experiencing the products while learning about the brand's history. It felt more like being in an exhibition than a typical store.' Fashion has followed suit. In August 2024, Adidas opened the Adidas Bukchon Heritage Store – its first sneaker-focused location in Korea. The shop features hanok-inspired architecture, traditional motifs and exclusive product drops. Adidas Bukchon Heritage Store. PHOTO: ADIDAS KOREA 'The Adidas Bukchon Heritage Store is a special place where customers can experience the history and culture of South Korea, which is gaining worldwide attention, while enjoying shopping,' said Mr Peter Kwak, general manager of Adidas Korea. The store's standout release, the Samba Tal, reinterprets the Samba sneaker with design elements from traditional Korean mask dance. Adidas Korea reports that more than half of the customers at its Bukchon Heritage Store are international visitors, highlighting the location's growing global appeal. Other notable openings include K-beauty store Yless, artisan fragrance atelier Granhand and lifestyle brand Nonfiction. Global brands, such as fragrance house Le Labo, are preparing to enter the scene sometime in 2025. Industry insiders say Bukchon's unique blend of heritage and innovation gives it a distinct edge. Yless' flagship store in Bukchon. PHOTO: YLESS 'Unlike areas like Seongsu-dong or Hannam-dong, Bukchon leverages the appeal of 'Korean tradition', making it the perfect place for experiential space marketing,' said fashion editor Lee Han-gyu. 'From hanok-inspired interiors to cultural storytelling, these brands give tourists a reason to visit and come back.' THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Korea Herald
28-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Bukchon emerges as new shopping hot spot in Seoul for global tourists
Bukchon becoming must-visit Seoul shopping district, where global visitors discover Korean style rooted in tradition Nestled between the historical grandeur of the main palace Gyeongbokgung and the winding alleys of traditional hanok, Bukchon is being transformed from a heritage enclave into one of Seoul's most dynamic shopping destinations, particularly for international travelers. Once known primarily for its well-preserved architecture and cultural significance, Bukchon is now a growing hub for fashion, beauty and fragrance brands. With an influx of flagship stores, limited-edition product launches and experiential spaces, the neighborhood is drawing attention from both domestic trendsetters and foreign visitors. The transformation began with small, independent perfumers. 'Around five to six years ago, small perfume shops by independent perfumers began to pop up around Bukchon. That became a unique characteristic of the area, which then attracted an increasing number of fragrance brands. Now you can find many domestic scent-related brands here. And with Tamburins — the most popular among foreign visitors — opening a store here too, it really proves Bukchon's growing status,' said a staff member of a local perfumery. That growth is backed by hard data. According to the city of Seoul's real-time statistics, monthly credit card spending in Bukchon Hanok Village rose from 1.9 billion won ($1.38 million) in January to over 2.57 billion won last month. Projections suggest spending may exceed 3 billion won by the end of this month. Recognizing its potential, both global and local brands are establishing a presence in the neighborhood. Tamburins, a K-beauty fragrance label known for its minimalist design and immersive retail experience, opened its Bukchon flagship store in 2023. 'I'm a huge fan of Jung Hae-in, and after watching 'Love Next Door,' I really wanted to visit this area,' said Giselle Roberts from the UK. 'It feels so authentic with all the traditional Korean architecture. Since Tamburins is one of the must-have items in Korea, visiting the store was a top priority for me.' Luxury skin care brand Sulwhasoo also launched its House of Sulwhasoo Bukchon in a renovated hanok-yangok hybrid space. 'Bukchon is a symbolic area where the past and present coexist beautifully,' a Sulwhasoo representative said. 'The concept of 'house' is both private and expressive of one's tastes, which allows for a deeper connection to the brand.' House of Sulwhasoo Bukchon offers guided tours in Korean, English and Chinese, with foreign visitors making up about 60 to 70 percent of attendees. 'I'm an exchange student from Mexico, and my Korean friend arranged this guided tour for me,' said Dominique Rodriguez from Mexico. 'I really enjoyed experiencing the products while learning about the brand's history. It felt more like being in an exhibition than a typical store.' Fashion has followed suit. In August last year, Adidas opened the Adidas Bukchon Heritage Store — its first sneaker-focused location in Korea. The shop features hanok-inspired architecture, traditional motifs and exclusive product drops. 'The Adidas Bukchon Heritage Store is a special place where customers can experience the history and culture of South Korea, which is gaining worldwide attention, while enjoying shopping,' said Peter Kwak, general manager of Adidas Korea. The store's standout release, the Samba Tal, reinterprets the iconic Samba sneaker with design elements from traditional Korean mask dance. Adidas Korea reports that over half of the customers at its Bukchon Heritage Store are international visitors, highlighting the location's growing global appeal. Other notable openings include K-beauty store Yless, artisan fragrance atelier Granhand and lifestyle brand Nonfiction. Industry insiders say Bukchon's unique blend of heritage and innovation gives it a distinct edge. 'Unlike areas like Seongsu-dong or Hannam-dong, Bukchon leverages the appeal of 'Korean tradition,' making it the perfect place for experiential space marketing,' said fashion editor Lee Han-gyu. 'From hanok-inspired interiors to cultural storytelling, these brands give tourists a reason to visit and come back.' With global brands like Le Labo preparing to enter the scene sometime this year and hundreds of weekend visitors at stores like Yless, Bukchon is fast becoming a premier destination for experiential retail.
Tatler Asia
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
K-drama love language: How characters say ‘I love you' without ever saying it
Cooking a meal Above Hyun Bin makes noodles from scratch in the K-drama 'Crash Landing on You' (Photo: tvN) Just like in real life, one of the fastest ways to a K-drama character's heart is through their stomach. Whether it's Vincenzo (Song Joong-ki) cooking instant ramen for Hong Cha-young (Jeon Yeo-been), or Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) kneading noodles from scratch for Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin), a lovingly prepared meal is as good as a confession. See also: 10 Most Expensive Korean Dramas to Produce: 'Crash Landing On You', 'Vincenzo' and More Piggyback rides Above Song Kang gives Kim Yoo-jung a piggyback ride. (Photo: screencap from 'My Demon', Netflix) Here's something you don't see every day, at least not in real life. In K-dramas, however, piggyback rides are so common, they're practically a love language. Whether someone sprains an ankle hiking in questionable footwear, like Jin Young-seo (Seol In-ah) in Business Proposal , or is tipsy, like Do Do-hee (Kim Yoo-jung) in My Demon —or pretending to be tipsy, like Hyoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a) in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha —this gesture is a clear indication that someone has fallen hard. Sharing a bicycle ride Above Jung-Jung couple from the K-drama 'Love Next Door' on a romantic bicycle ride (Photo: tvN) Couple tees, shoes and hats are cute, but couple activities are on another level. In K-dramas, few things are more romantic than a tandem bicycle ride. If you can throw in a shower of cherry blossom petals, even better. From classics like Legend of the Blue Sea and W - Two Worlds to more recent hits like Love Next Door and My Demon , a bicycle ride for two symbolises more than a shared ride; it's a shared journey. Don't miss: Love thy neighbour: 10 K-dramas where love was found living right next door Leaning on someone's shoulder Above Park Hyung-sik is a shoulder to lean on. (Photo: JTBC) K-dramas take 'a shoulder to lean on' quite literally. Characters who need a quick nap after a long day or have had one too many shots of soju can always find someone quietly waiting on the sidelines, willing to lend a shoulder—to sleep on, cry on or simply rest their head on. Just ask Nam Ha-Neul (Park Shin-hye) from Doctor Slump or Seo Dal-mi (Bae Suzy) from Start-Up . Tying someone's shoelaces Above Nam Joo-hyuk bends down to tie Kim Tae-ri's laces. (Photo: screencap from 'Twenty Five Twenty One', Netflix) This small gesture speaks volumes and reveals they're paying attention to the small details. It's evident when Baek Ye-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk) ties Na Hee-do's (Kim Tae-ri) laces for the last time in Twenty Five Twenty On e and when Yoo Shi-jin (Song Joong-ki) kneels to tie Kang Mo-yeon's (Song Hye-kyo) shoes in Descendants of the Sun . And it's not just reserved for lovers—who could forget Han Ji-pyeong (Kim Seon-ho) gently tending to halmeoni's shoes in Start-Up ? Back hugs Above A romantic backhug in the K-drama hit 'Doona!' (Photo: screencap from 'Doona!', Netflix) Back hugs in K-dramas are emotionally charged moments that come with a flood of unspoken feelings. Whether it's to stop someone from leaving, like when Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) holds Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) close to him in Crash Landing on You , or it's brought on by a surge of emotion, like when Lee Won-jun (Yang Se-jong) suddenly pulls Lee Doo-na (Bae Suzy) in a tight embrace in Doona! , it speaks of quiet yearning. Shielding their face from the sun Above Park Bo-young lovingly shields Park Hyung-sik's eyes from the sun. (Photo: JTBC) Another distinctly K-drama way of showing affection is by shielding someone's eyes from the sun's harsh glare. Sweet and endearing, it's code for 'I love you' in the world of romance K-dramas. Think of Do Bong-soon (Park Bo-young) shading An Min-hyuk (Park Hyung-sik) during their picnic date in Strong Woman Do Bong-soon , or Nam Hong-joo (Bae Suzy) protectively covering Jung Jae-chan's (Lee Jong-suk) face as he naps on her shoulder in While You Were Sleeping .
Gulf News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
5 K-Dramas that took dream leads and ruined them with ice-cold chemistry: K2 to Forecasting Love and Weather
K-Dramas are usually on point with the leads and the chemistry. Not often, does it miss the mark even if the storytelling does. But then there are some that build up the hype: You see actors, who have had stunning chemistry with every other actor before, and you are sure it can't go wrong. But sigh, when it does, you're left with rather dull, lifeless and soulless chemistry between two otherwise very charismatic leads. 1) Forecasting Love And Weather *Grumbles* This one still singes. How do you go wrong with Song Kang and Park Min-young, who have had practically sizzling chemistry with everyone other lead character in their shows? Set in a weather forecasting agency, the story sees their characters fall in love early on, only to spiral into a storm of work stress and emotional baggage. Even the reunion and love confession lacked warmth. What should've been heart-fluttering felt like… a drizzle. 2) Love Next Door It was almost there. We felt the tension rising slightly between Jung Hae-in and Jung Som-in, till…we didn't. Jung Hae-in's character quickly devolved into a man-child who threw tantrums over So-min's career decisions—including a major one where she considered going abroad. The romance drowned in ego and immaturity. 3) Memories of the Alhambra If you thought Forecasting was a dull disappointment, you should see what happens to the pairing between Hyun Bin and Park Shin-ye in this fantastical drama. We're talking about two actors who practically reshaped the K-entertainment industry, instead we got a very awkward romance between the two of them, or barely anything at all. Not to mention that the story itself went off the rails by the last episode. 4) The K2 Ji Chang-wook, another lead actor who could have chemistry with a stone, if he wants. And there's the stunning Yoona, in this action-packed thriller, where Ji Chang-wook is just busy flexing muscles, beating up people as he suffers from bullet wounds. Yoona plays a traumatised woman, trapped by her devious stepmother, who ironically seemed to have had more chemistry with Chang-wook. That's right, we said it. You know what you had to do, K2 writers. 5) Doctor Stranger So much chaos, so little chemistry. Between political conspiracies, North Korean escape plots, and absurd medical drama, Lee Jong-suk and Jin Se-yeon's love story never found its pulse. The emotional beats felt forced, the reunion lacked spark, and honestly? Jong-suk had much more chemistry with the second lead. But in true K-Drama fashion, the second lead never stood a chance.
