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Tag: Seoul

  • Gwangjang Market Reinvented as Seoul’s New K-Fashion Hotspot

    Seoul’s historic Gwangjang Market in Jongno District is rapidly transforming from a traditional food market into a new hotspot for K-fashion and K-beauty.

    As Korea’s first permanent market, Gwangjang has long been a must-visit destination for tourists seeking authentic Korean street food like yukhoe (beef tartare) and bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes). But in recent years, its atmosphere has shifted dramatically — now, locals joke that visiting famous bakeries and then shopping at brands like Matin Kim or Kodak Apparel has become the new “Gwangjang course.” The market is buzzing again, fueled by young visitors and foreign tourists.

    Today, major fashion and beauty names such as Matin Kim, Setter, Frot of the Room, Kirsh, and Kodak Apparel have opened stores within the market, alongside beauty outlet OFFBEAUTY. According to Daemyung Chemical, the company behind OFFBEAUTY, “We wanted to merge the market’s traditional charm with the youthful energy of K-fashion, expanding our connection with global customers and revitalizing a 100-year-old market.”

    This trend is supported by rising tourist numbers. In the first half of 2024, 8.83 million foreign visitors came to Korea — up 14.6% year-on-year — and around 1.4 million of them visited the Gwangjang area, ranking it 14th nationwide. Industry experts say Gwangjang Market’s mix of affordable rents, textile infrastructure, and tourism growth has reinvented it as “a K-fashion hub where tradition meets trend.”

  • Adidas Launches ‘CAFÉ 3 STRIPES SEOUL’ — A Fusion of Fashion, Lifestyle, and Communit

    Adidas Korea will officially open its new concept space, “CAFÉ 3 STRIPES SEOUL,” in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on October 25.

    Designed as a community hub that bridges sports, fashion, and lifestyle, the new café is positioned as a cultural hotspot where visitors can share their tastes and experience new trends.

    The building’s exterior draws inspiration from German industrial design, blending concrete, brick, and steel structures to create a balance between classic and modern aesthetics. Inside, the iconic three stripes motif appears throughout, highlighting the brand’s signature identity.

    The café’s menu features around 50 items, including a cake shaped like the Adidas logo and a variety of bakery and beverage selections that reflect Gen Z’s focus on healthy living.

    Developed in collaboration with Dore Creative Crew, the health-conscious menu goes beyond typical café offerings — embodying Adidas’s philosophy of an “active lifestyle.”

    A private fashion show titled “FUN BEYOND RULES CROSSING” will take place in the café’s yard on October 24 at 7 PM, unveiling looks from the FW25 season.

    The event will showcase new products across multiple lines, including Originals, Running, Outdoor, and Sportswear.

    More details can be found on Adidas’s official website and Instagram.

  • Chipotle Expands to Asia: Seoul Chosen as First Destination

    SPC Group announced plans to bring U.S. Mexican franchise Chipotle Mexican Grill (hereafter Chipotle) to Seoul in the first half of next year. The Seoul branch will be the brand’s first store in Asia.

    According to the food service industry, SPC Group will introduce Chipotle to Korea through either a licensing agreement or a joint venture with the headquarters. Founded in 1993 in the U.S., Chipotle is a “fast-casual dining” chain offering Tex-Mex cuisine.

    The menu features burritos, tacos, and bowls made primarily with organic and gluten-free ingredients. Like sandwich chain Subway, Chipotle allows customers to choose salad, meats, beans, and cheese, which are then wrapped in a burrito or served in a bowl. The chain is particularly known for its strong “value for money.”

    Chipotle currently operates around 3,300 stores in the U.S. alone. Though it serves Mexican food, the brand has become deeply embedded in American daily life by offering healthy meals in a convenient format. Its quick adaptation to the growth of delivery demand during the pandemic gave Chipotle a new momentum for growth, solidifying its role in ushering in the “fast-casual” dining era.