Go, Go Gadget Shopper

Words by Stafford Lumsden, shots by Judith Clancy and Matthew Crompton ^*

Korea (and Seoul in particular) is a Mecca for shoppers looking for deals on electronics. From home appliances to cameras and computers to MP3 players, Seoul is bursting with options on places to shop, and for the brave, places to find a bargain.

Yongsan Electronics Market

The term “market” is something of a misnomer when it comes to Yongsan. With three mall-sized complexes and shops and stalls stretching over three city blocks, Yongsan is more than a mere market. iPark Mall, part of the actual Yongsan Station complex, is probably familiar to anyone who has caught a train to or from Seoul and encompasses five floors. The 3rd floor sells MP3 players, cameras and other handheld goods. Subsequent floors contain notebook computers, household appliances, TVs, DVD players and other video equipment, desktop computers made to order, video games and finally an entire floor dedicated solely to mobile phones. Would-be shoppers should be wary however; prices are often nonnegotiable and better deals can be found elsewhere in Yongsan.

A bridge connects the station to the Terminal Electronics Mall. Here you will find mostly computers and computer-related products. As a whole, vendors in the Terminal area of Yongsan have garnered a reputation for ripping off customers. Again shoppers should be wary, but at least vendors here will allow customers more hands-on time with their wares.

Next up are two sections that specialize in a narrower range of products. Immediately in front of the Terminal Mall is Najin Electro World, your first stop if you are looking for either phones or video games. To the right of Najin Electro World is Seonin Mall, which is where you will head if you are looking for any specialist computer parts or planning to build your own machine.

Located on the other side of Najin, ET Land (Jeonja Land) is probably the place you’ll go if you don’t have anything specific in mind. ET Land arguably offers the greatest range of goods, and up until very recently was the only place in all of Korea you could get after-sales support for anything Mac/Apple related.

• Hours: most vendors throughout Yongsan open around 10 am and close at 7 or 8 pm Monday – Saturday, while Sundays see at least half closed, with the exception of iPark.
• Getting there: Yongsan Station (line 1, Jungang line) and Sinyongsan Station (line 4).

Technomart

Technomart has two enormous outlets in Seoul serving the east and west sides of the city and both are fairly similar in their layout and offerings. The nearly 2000 stores at both Gangbyeon (east) and Sindorim (west) sell a wide variety of goods as you would expect, but these are complimented at Gangbyeon by a CGV cinema, an E-mart, and numerous restaurants. Its proximity to public transit also gives it an edge over its western counterpart, being situated next to the Dong-Seoul bus terminal and across the road from Gangbyeon Subway Station.

Technomart Sindorim, on the other hand, holds more events than Gangbyeon with kid-friendly activities like the Trick Art exhibition. It is also a popular choice for video game events, with video game league gatherings, Pokemon launchings, and appearances by video game producer Hideo Kojima, to name some past events.

• Hours: both Technomarts are open 10 am – 8 pm Monday through Friday and until 10 pm weekends and holidays.
• Getting there: Sindorim Station (line 2, ex. 2); Gangbyeon Station (line 2, ex. 1 and 2)

Electronics Retail Chains

Haven’t found your bargain at the markets above? Turn to one of the retail chains selling electronics in Korea.

HiMart: HiMart is the only independent chain of any size, and so shoppers can find products from a number of manufacturers in the same place, allowing you to compare Samsung versus LG and Philips versus Sony. While prices at HiMart are fixed, they are seldom worse than Technomart and there will always be a salesperson on hand to help you, though don’t expect their English skills to be anywhere near those at Technomart or Yongsan. Expect the salesperson to hover over you as you browse. • Hours: 10 am – 8 pm

Samsung Digital Plaza: The nation’s flagship brand also has retail locations throughout Korea. The advantage of shopping with Samsung is its extensive after-sales service, with most Digital Plaza stores having a separate “A/S Center” attached to them where you can bring in any Samsung product for repair regardless of where you bought it. These stores are less specialized but will carry at least one of everything Samsung makes. Samsung Digital Plaza puts an emphasis on TVs and home appliances but also stocks cameras, MP3 players and notebook and desktop computers. Unfortunately they may be out of stock of some items, and display merchandise is rarely up for sale. While they won’t order in that MP3 player you’ve had your eye on, with a little cajoling salespeople may ring around and find the closest Digital Plaza that has the item in stock. • Hours: usually 9 am – 6 pm

LG BestShop: LG, like Samsung, has its own branded outlets stocking only its products. While Samsung emphasizes TVs, LG concentrates on its expertise in refrigerators and other whiteware. If you are looking for a washing machine with all the after-sales service you need, including delivery, installation and maintenance and repair, LG is definitely the place to start. • Hours: 9 am – 6 pm

Electronics Markets Across Korea
They may not be able to rival Yongsan in size, but they do offer a more convenient option for expats living in one of Korea’s other large cities.

• Electron Zone Daegu A variety of products and lots of vendors. 1621 Sangyeok 2-dong, Buk-gu ezone.or.kr

• Gaya Computer Wholesale Store Busan Everything computers, 156-2 Gaegeum 1-dong, Busanjin-gu gayatown.co.kr

• Kumho World Gwangju Not just electronics, but also musical instruments, 12-17 Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, ikumhoworld.co.kr

• Techno World Daejeon Computers and peripherals, 301 Mannyeon-dong, Seo-gu, techno-world.kr

[This article originally appeared in the November issue of 10 Magazine]