K-Pop Album Stores in Seoul: Where to Go in Myeongdong, Hongdae and Beyond
If you’re looking for a K-pop album store in Seoul, Myeongdong is probably the easiest place to start. Kyobo Hottracks in Gwanghwamun is another good option if you want a large selection in one place. Albums bought in Korea can also be cheaper than buying them overseas, and foreign visitors may be eligible for an immediate tax refund at participating stores.
The stores are spread across different neighborhoods, though, and each area has a slightly different feel. Here’s where I’d go depending on what you’re looking for.
A few things before you go
There are a few things worth knowing before you start shopping.
- Prices. Buying in Korea means you don’t have to pay international shipping or the overseas markup, so albums are often cheaper. The actual difference depends on the album and store.
- Chart counting. Sales at larger shops generally count toward charts such as Hanteo and Circle. If this is important to you, ask at the counter since it can vary by store.
- Tax refund. Many larger stores offer tax refunds to foreign visitors who meet the minimum purchase amount. Bring your passport, as you’ll usually need it.
- Cards. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most larger shops. Smaller stores, especially in underground shopping areas, may only accept cash, so carrying some is a good idea.
- Maps. Google Maps isn’t always reliable for getting around Korea. Naver Map has an English version, so I’d install it before your trip.
Store locations and pop-ups can change, so it’s worth checking the map listing on the day you plan to visit.
| Area | Store | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Myeongdong | Underground shopping center, Music Korea, Withmuu | Easy access, older and used albums, lightsticks |
| Hongdae | Withmuu (AK Plaza), Beat Road | Events, lucky draws, collectors |
| Gwanghwamun | Kyobo Hottracks | Big selection, convenient shopping |
| Gangnam / Seongsu | Ktown4u, KWANGYA@SEOUL | Pop-ups, SM official goods |
| Sinchon / Gangnam / Myeongdong | Aladin used bookstore | Out-of-print and used albums |
Myeongdong: the easy first stop
If it’s your first trip and you only have an afternoon, I’d start here. Myeongdong is already on many visitors’ itineraries for cosmetics and street food, so adding an album-shopping stop doesn’t take much extra planning.
The Myeongdong underground shopping center has several small record shops, including CT Records. Prices can be a little lower than regular retail, although I wouldn’t count on a specific discount. It’s also a good area to look for older releases and used albums that aren’t as easy to find elsewhere.
Music Korea is close to Myeongdong Station and is another convenient option for new releases. The store is fairly easy to browse, especially if you’d rather shop somewhere organized than dig through piles of albums.
There’s also a Withmuu branch in Myeongdong, where you can look for recent releases, official lightsticks and other K-pop goods.
Hongdae: where the events are
Hongdae has a younger, busier feel, and the K-pop stores here tend to be a little more focused on current events and fan activities.
The Withmuu in AK Plaza Hongdae is connected to Hongik Univ. Station, so it’s easy to reach without having to walk far. Lucky draw events are also held here fairly often. Depending on the event, buying certain albums can get you a chance to receive special photocards or other extras. The rules change, so check the event notice before paying.
Beat Road is both a K-pop shop and a fan cafe, and it’s particularly interesting if you collect albums and photocards. If you’re just looking to buy one album quickly, you probably don’t need to make a special trip, but collectors may want to add it to their list.
Gwanghwamun: Kyobo Hottracks
Kyobo Hottracks in Gwanghwamun is a convenient choice if you want a large selection without visiting several different stores. The albums are organized by artist and category, so it’s relatively easy to find what you’re looking for.
The store is part of the larger Kyobo bookstore, which is actually handy if you’re traveling with someone who isn’t interested in K-pop. They can browse the books while you spend some time in the music section.
Gangnam and Seongsu: shops worth visiting for the experience
These areas are more of a destination than somewhere I’d go just to buy an album.
Ktown4u at Coex Artium is a good stop if you’re already spending time around COEX. Besides albums, there are spaces for pop-ups and other K-pop-related activities, so you can easily spend some time there.
KWANGYA@SEOUL in Seongsu is SM Entertainment’s official store and focuses on SM artists and merchandise. If you’re a fan of groups under SM, it’s worth adding to your itinerary. Otherwise, there’s probably no need to go out of your way just for albums.
Used and out-of-print albums
Aladin used bookstores have branches in places including Sinchon, Gangnam and Myeongdong. This is where I’d look if you’re hunting for older albums or releases that are no longer being produced.
The downside is that used albums don’t always include the original photocard or other inclusions. If you’re specifically collecting photocards, check what’s included before you buy.
Packing
Albums are heavier than they look, and a few can take up more suitcase space than you’d expect. Leave some extra room if you’re planning to shop a lot.
And if you get into lucky draws or start collecting photocards, don’t be surprised if you end up bringing home more than you originally planned.
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