Korean Job Discussion Forums

Beageal · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 5:50 am Post subject: Where's The Nerd Shops?

Specifically, I'm talking about stores that sell the kind of stuff you'd find in a comic book store back in the West. Toys, collectibles, that kind of thing. I've been here 5 months and I found one store up near Ewha Women's University, and there's usually a toy section in any big outlet store, but that's it. Never concerned me much, but then a friend landed a couple of weeks ago and he's obsessed with tracking one down. He's convinced that there must be one somewhere in Seoul. Me, I'm not so convinced; but if there were one, well, I wouldn't burn it down or anything.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

camelina · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Location: wishing i was there

Ive come across one on the main Insadong Gil, its on the second floor on the left hand side facing Gwanghamun. No comic books, but had a lot of collectables and weird toys from long ago. Expensive, but really fun to look around in. Sorry i can't give you better directions, its been awhile.

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

on the (long) walk from Apkujeong station to Galleria department store there was one- maybe still is. Loads of collectible dolls with robots and Eminem in miniature etc.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:22 pm Post subject:

If it's models that your friend is interested in, there's a shop near Sunae Plaza that has Gundam and other anime stuff around. Seems to focus specifically on models, but I've never actually walked in for a peek.

Definitely not easy to find, though.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

yeah, in a "few" dept. stores (not the main chains usually) you'll find independant booths for stuff like that.

Try in Meyong Dong. In the Avatar dept store there's a few shops.

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

There are places located all over the place, but they're like finding needles in haystacks. I remember that Techno-Mart had a few on one of the computer parts floors. I think one was located near the middle escalators. They had anime stuff, models, action figures, etc.

Techno-mart is worth a look, regardless. It's on the green line in East Seoul, just outside of Gangbyeon station. You can't miss it... tall thin building on the North side of the subway station, just across the street.

pixel8 · Joined: 29 Mar 2006

Glad I found this thread... any more updates?

seoulsucker · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:31 pm Post subject:

I've seen a bunch of that kind of stuff in the lower level of "gamers row" in Yongsan. When you get there, look for the AMD "balloon", and the row is kind of in the middle. Towards the back you should find some cool stuff.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

There's one awesome toy store in Insadong that has a large collection of figurines and action figures. It's here that I found out that He-Man's Korean name is Universe Prince.

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

pixel8 · Joined: 29 Mar 2006

Cool.... toys galore!!

Any collectors out there? How's the toy market like .... expensive, selective or just heavenly?

Any links?

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

pixel8 · Joined: 29 Mar 2006

Both Insadong shops are not worth going out of the way for, for real toy collectors.... especially the 1000 won per entrance store.

Have seen one shop in COEX, near to Gameworld/Intercon called Hobby <something> ... 'Riverside walk' area... more to fix-it figures eg. gundams, cars, etc.

Another toystore more for kids or Totoro fans, with some misc. american toys called Aniland (store # T5).

Yet to find the real deal.