POP-UPS ❤️

After arriving and spending time in Korea, I began enjoying shopping and going out more, as there are countless things to see and experience. One of the most exciting aspects of being abroad in Korea is discovering the various pop-up stores that appear each month, especially around Seongsu. Seongsu is a neighborhood known for its unique cafes, restaurants, shops, and pop-ups. It's a popular spot for both locals and foreigners.

Pop-ups can also be found in other areas, such as Apgujeong, Gangnam, and Hongdae. Keep an eye on social media for updates on pop-ups that might interest you, as there are plenty throughout Korea! Almost all pop-ups have free gifts and is free to enter!

Here are some of my pop-up experiences:

1. Levi's

   1. The Levi's pop-up store was my first pop-up experience. The line to enter the queue was extremely long, so make sure to arrive early since pop-ups attract many visitors. After queuing to enter the store, we had to register our phone numbers for a different queue to access the pop-up activities.

      
      

      The pop-up had about four missions or stages:

      1. Socialize over a complimentary alcoholic drink.

      2. Create your own coaster.

      3. Take a photo or video with the event background.

      4. Post and tag the pop-up on Instagram.

         
         

      After completing all the missions, you could choose a free gift. I chose a denim card holder. This was a fun and engaging first pop-up experience.

      
      

2. Carat Station

   1. This pop-up was located in Apgujeong and was hosted by Spotify for Seventeen's upcoming album and concert. If you're a fan of a group, be sure to check if they are hosting any pop-up stores!

      
      

      The line for the Carat Station was incredibly long—we waited over three hours to enter. Inside, the pop-up featured various props and interactive backgrounds. The store was designed to resemble a subway/train station. There was an area that resembled the outside of a station where visitors could write letters to the members, a locker section where each member had decorated a locker, and a photobooth section.

      
      

      After entering the train gates, we went down to the train platform, where we took pictures, received a small package of goodies, and boarded a train to interact with other fans, listen to music, and participate in fan chants.

1. BabyMonster

   1. This pop-up store was in Seongsu, and when I visited, the line was relatively short, so my Korean buddies and I entered quickly. The pop-up was for their album promotion with the title track "Drip."

      
      

      There were various props and photo backgrounds, as well as interactive activities. The sections included:

      • Member name and picture displays.

      • A dance challenge area.

      • A section to decorate photocard covers.

      • A basement floor featuring merchandise.

1. 인생네컷 x LIFE4CUTS

   1. This pop-up store was also in Seongsu and did not have a queue. Photobooth pictures are very popular in Korea, and this pop-up featured special rooms with unique designs compared to regular photobooths.

      
      

      Some room themes included a bedroom, a forest, and two others. After taking a photo, visitors received a coin for a gacha machine to win a free gift.

1. TIRTIR

   1. This pop-up store was located in Seongsu and was beautifully decorated. It featured three missions:

      1. Find your Mask Fit Red Cushion shade.

      2. Discover your lip tint shade.

      3. Select your Mask Fit AI Filter Cushion shade.

         
         

      I really enjoyed this pop-up because I loved testing out different shades of cushion and tints. After completing all the missions, visitors could try the gacha machine to win a free gift. Additionally, purchasing a certain amount earned you extra gifts.

      
      

      After my experience, I received a free keychain mirror, a lip tint keychain case, and a lip tint. My friends got a free photobooth picture, and Sukwen managed to get all the gifts!