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Despite makeover, fakes still rampant in Itaewon
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sojusucks



Joined: 31 May 2008

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 4:03 am    Post subject: Despite makeover, fakes still rampant in Itaewon Reply with quote

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2010/10/123_73965.html

Quote:
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Itaewon, one of the most popular tourist places for food and shopping in Seoul, has drastically changed over the last few years. But while there have been obvious improvements, there are still many aspects for Itaewon to clean up its act and offer an even better image.

Designated as a ``special tourism district,�� Itaewon attracts foreign residents and tourists mainly because of its many international restaurants and various stores. Restaurants in Itaewon have gained a reputation for offering authentic cuisine from all over the world. It is also the birthplace for many food trends in Seoul, such as ``brunch,�� ``shwarmas�� and ``better burgers.��

Itaewon, however, is also practically synonymous with fake designer goods. Intellectual property rights are still blatantly being flouted in broad daylight. Not exactly the most ideal tourist place to be highlighted during a high-profile international event such as the upcoming G20 Seoul Summit in November.

As soon as one gets off at Itaewon subway station, one will see stalls selling souvenirs, cheap trinkets, as well as fake Fendi scarves, Louis Vuitton hats, Bulgari silver jewelry and Calvin Klein underwear. These blatantly fake items are only the tip of the iceberg, as the ``high quality�� designer knock-offs being are sold in the backstreets.

The numerous street stalls also cause pedestrian traffic congestion on the sidewalks. On weekends, it is quite difficult to navigate the sidewalks as people buying goods from the stalls block the people who are trying to walk by.

The main stretch of road from Itaewon station to Noksapyeong station has definitely been spruced up. The cracked sidewalks have been paved, and even the street stalls are uniformly sized and decorated with traditional Korean drawings.

However, the backstreets are another story. Although some small restaurants have sprouted up in the area, it still seems quite seedy and dirty. This upholds a deeply held perception that Itaewon is dangerous at night.

Even traffic in the area is a problem. Numerous tourist buses are sometimes parked along the main street, causing traffic jams on the already narrow streets.

Fakes galore

Stores for global brands like Nike, Adidas, Calvin Klein Jeans and Samsonite can be found along the main street, but people go to Itaewon for a different shopping experience. It is an open secret among locals and tourists that Itaewon is the best place to snag high quality replicas of designer bags, shoes and clothes.

At first, you�ll find some stores only have badly-made, cheap counterfeits of Coach, Gucci and Prada handbags displayed on their shelves. But as you walk around the street, you will hear the word �Gabang�� from random men standing or loitering outside the stores.

If the word for bag piques you interest, will be led down the backstreets to a hidden location, where you can sit and flip through a Japanese magazine showing all the latest luxury handbag designs.

Almost all of the hottest styles are available ― the Balenciaga motorcycle bag, the Chanel flap purse, the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag, Chloe Paddington bag and Alexander Wang duffel bag.

And, just because it is a replica does not mean it will be dirt cheap. One vendor quoted 450,000 won for an oversized Balenciaga bag, while another charged 300,000 won for a small Chanel 2.55 purse.

Even at the Hamilton Shopping Plaza, the vendors openly sell fake handbags, alongside amethyst jewelry and ginseng products. One store owner showed a black Hermes Birkin bag for 400,000 won, but while it did have a striking resemblance to the original, one could still tell the leather was not of high quality.

``If you want a really good copy, I have one that is exactly the same as the original. But it�s expensive, it�s 800,000 won,�� she said.

It is quite ridiculous to be paying 800,000 won for a fake purse, but some people might say it�s a ``bargain�� compared to paying thousands of dollars for the real thing. The real Hermes Birkin bag is notoriously difficult to procure, with a long waiting list and prices range from $5,000 to upwards of $20,000.

Many of the stores also sell export overruns and good quality imitations of designer clothes. Here one will find ``almost-real�� Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dresses, Burberry trench coats, Gucci dresses and Missoni knit tops.

The clothes look similar but the tags have been ripped out, but sometimes one can still recognize the designer brand. The prices range from 30,000 for a ``DKNY� sweater to a ``Chanel�� tweed jacket for 65,000 won to a ``Gucci�� fur-lined winter coat for 180,000 won. Upon closer inspection, the quality of the fabric and tailoring is sub-par.

Gentrification

Away from the bustle of Itaewon market, the area from Hangangjin Station to Cheil Communications Building is slowly developing as a must-go-to area, similar to Garosu-gil or the Cheongdam neighborhoods.

Some sites have already gained a reputation, such as The Spice owned by celebrity chef Edward Kwon, delicious desserts from Passion 5 and specialty cupcakes from Life is a Cup of Cake. The antique shops, Andre Kim Jewelry boutique and Comme de Garcons flagship store are attracting a young and hip clientele.

The Comme de Garcons flagship shop is located within the hard-to-miss black and white dotted building, located 200 meters from Hangangjin Station. Rose Bakery is housed on the first floor of the building, while across the street, there�s a new Japanese dessert place called Kyotofu that sells unique Chocolate Miso and Lemon Yuzu cupcakes.

This area of Itaewon is slowly being gentrified, but much improvement is yet needed. The sidewalks are still not fixed properly, and parking is still an aching headache for some restaurants and shops.

Itaewon may look like it has been given a much-needed makeover, but the changes are only on the surface. Anyone who has made a wrong turn in the backstreets knows that Itaewon still has some rough edges that need to be smoothened.

Despite all its shortcomings, Itaewon is still the most foreigner-friendly district in Seoul. There are tourism information centers, where visitors can find information in English, Chinese and Japanese. Most of the shopkeepers can also speak English or Japanese, making communication easier.

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definitely maybe



Joined: 16 Feb 2008

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I never thought Id be the first to say it, but I was not at all impressed with the article. It was repetitive, really didn't say anything new, and was poorly written as well. I went back to check for a Korean name after reading it, and was rather disappointed when I didn't find one. I don't know, I guess I'm more forgiving when it comes to Korean journalists.
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Troglodyte



Joined: 06 Dec 2009

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 8:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some of those fakes seem quite expensive. You could probably get the same things in China for a small fraction of those prices.
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cj1976



Joined: 26 Oct 2005

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Buying fake designer goods is all part of the Asian tourist experience. I still have my $3 Billabong T-shirt I bought in Bangkok last year.
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Vagabundo



Joined: 26 Aug 2010

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 3:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Troglodyte wrote:
Some of those fakes seem quite expensive. You could probably get the same things in China for a small fraction of those prices.


yeah, but you're in Korea, where even the fakes are preposterously overpriced. It's a necessary part of the Korean "shopping experience". Wink
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madoka



Joined: 27 Mar 2008

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 3:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Back in 1989, I bought a fake Dunhill wallet. At the time, I did not even know that Dunhill was a brand; I just liked the design of the wallet. I believe it cost about $10. I still have fond memories of that wallet. I even tried going to a Dunhill store to buy another one of that style, but no luck. It lasted over ten years and compared favorably in quality to the $150 Coach wallet that replaced it which only lasted five years.

Back then you could readily find fakes in Itaewon - they were EVERYWHERE; blatantly out on the street in every shop. Now, not nearly as much.
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redaxe



Joined: 01 Dec 2008

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 3:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You want to see fakes, go to Chinatown in NYC.

Actually, now that I think about it, the most Chinese knock-offs I've ever seen in one place was at Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur. It's just one tent that spans like four city blocks, crammed with stalls selling fakes. You can barely even breathe in there, much less walk, it's so jam-packed. Itaewon is nothing compared to KL Chinatown.
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shinramyun



Joined: 31 Jul 2009

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 4:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

LOL don't even bring china-related to this discussion. We all know china is the world's leading nation when it comes to knock off/rip off brands.
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matthews_world



Joined: 15 Feb 2003

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Funny how the Korean government just bats an eye to these stall owners who are participating in illegal activiy by selling counterfeit goods or fake copies.

Sure they are bargains and the owners are simply providing an income for their family but it does put an eye sore on Itaewon itself.

Itaewon could be so much better.
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redaxe



Joined: 01 Dec 2008

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

shinramyun wrote:
LOL don't even bring china-related to this discussion. We all know china is the world's leading nation when it comes to knock off/rip off brands.


Well the knockoffs they sell in Itaewon are mostly made in China and smuggled into Korea.
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Jane



Joined: 01 Feb 2003

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The one point she mentions about the sidewalks being blocked by vendors in a good one, imo. I like walking in Itaewon in the morning before the touts come out; it's a nicer experience.

Give it 5 more years, as the way Itaewon is going, the touts will be gone and all the fake apparel will be replaced by expensive boutiques aimed for a Korean clientele.
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DeMayonnaise



Joined: 02 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ugh, why do people refer Itaewon as a tourist area. It's an expat area. There's nothing in Itaewon for tourists. Especially the hardy travelers who actually make their way to Korea, which is way down on the list of places to go in Korea (if it's even on the list).
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Capo



Joined: 09 Sep 2007

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

DeMayonnaise wrote:
Ugh, why do people refer Itaewon as a tourist area. It's an expat area. There's nothing in Itaewon for tourists. Especially the hardy travelers who actually make their way to Korea, which is way down on the list of places to go in Korea (if it's even on the list).
yes. why would a tourist want to go to Itaewon to eat subpar foreign food? When they can most likely get far better at home, may as well eat korean in korea. However, I can understand tourists going there at night to party.
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Caffeinated



Joined: 11 Feb 2010

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 8:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nevermind the stalls in Itaewon, but even the name-brand stores may not be legit. For example, the Evisu store may not actually be a Japanese Evisu store but a Korean knock-off.
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goingtothecountry



Joined: 15 Aug 2010

PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 9:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Please don't ever shut down the fake stalls in Itaewon. Where else would I get my 10,000 Burberry Scarfs from.
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