Woongjin Think Big :::Think Outside Recruiting:::

After getting off the phone with your ThinkOutside representative, you have (on average) two months to get ready for the journey. This includes saying goodbye to family and friends, setting up online bill payments for those student loans and perhaps the most difficult decision of all; deciding what to bring to Korea.

You’ll have two suitcases and a carry-on into which you must cram enough of the things you need to survive for a year. Also, you must try your hardest to keep a year’s worth of essentials under the roughly 70 lbs (30 kg) per bag weight limit. So, you must decide which of your things to bring and what things to leave in your parent’s attic. After making sure you packed at least the essentials, filling the rest of the suitcase is still a concern as you must think about the weight limit when deciding which knickknacks and extras to pack.

To make the decisions easier, you should consider all the shopping opportunities Korea has to offer. Korea has a ready supply of everything from clothing and shoes to beauty products to stationary and everything in between. Below, we’ve listed an introduction to some places you can expect to find in Korea that have the things you need, as well as a brief section on things to say to make your shopping experience go more smoothly.

Koreans are an extremely image conscious people (edging on the line of vanity).
Mirrors in every subway and clothing and beauty supply stores on seemingly every block are just some of the signs that Koreans spend a great deal of time thinking about their personal appearance (and yours too, for that matter). Thus it should be no surprise that shopping districts abound and carry all styles of clothing (for if you are going ANYWHERE or doing ANYTHING, you must have the proper outfit and accessories!).

There is a broad range of places that can suit your taste and your budget. Finding the right one for you takes little more than some light footwork (and a healthy bank account, depending on how much you are going to shop). You can also refer to the websites of the major department stores and discount stores below, as they can inform you of the nearest locations.

In between are several floors of clothing and accessories. Each floor is the divided among several outfitters, all of which are staffed with ever-imposing, ever-circulating attendants. These helpers, a good number of whom speak at least a little English, pawn their wares for staggering amounts.


Pros: Most of these places offer a range of goods, with English signs telling exactly what you can find on each floor. Here you can find (or order) clothes and shoes to fit most Western sizes.


Cons: The goods purchased here are quality, but that quality comes with a price. Nine times out of ten you’ll pay an arm and a leg to get what you want. Yes, there is the 10% chance you’ll find an incredible deal, like a tee-shirt for $15 in October.

With these stores, as will be the general trend in Korea, they only offer a limited range of sizes. For shirts and other clothing, the sizes for adults typically run between 90-105 for men (US size XS-L), and 75-90 for women (US size 0-6). Shoes generally run, for men, to a maximum size of 285 (about US men’s size 10) and to size 250 for women (about US women’s size 8.5).


Pros: The benefits of shopping at these stores are that you won’t be charged through your eyeballs for the things you are purchasing. The quality of the items, while not at the level found at the department stores, is still excellent. AND, you won’t have to worry about those annoying sales people.


Cons: While you won’t be pestered as much as in the department stores, the ease of finding what you are looking for is likewise reduced. The staff of stock boys and promotion girls can point you in the right direction (most times), but be sure to brush up on your charades before you visit, as very few speak English.

These vary in and of themselves, depending on the neighborhood. In fashionable districts, these boutiques can be quite pricey, costing quite a pretty penny (or won) for their one of a kind wares. Outside of these neighborhoods, you can come across clothiers who sell their goods quite cheaply, hoping to build a name and solid reputation. As you become more comfortable with your new surroundings, you become aware of the difference, and you’ll figure out which places to avoid and which to shop.


Pros: If you are loyal to a certain brand of sneaker, or think a particular label’s jeans make your butt look best, these individual stores offer only what you are looking for, without requiring you to trudge up multiple stories to find it.


Cons: The costs can vary, and the quality of the smaller, independent places may vary as well. One thing that does hold true though is that most of the shop keepers and attendants will have limited English. Most of them should know how to say you are too big, though, as the sizes they offer are typical of Korea (generally small)

The actual type of market can differ. A great example of the differences would be the huge market located in and around Dongdaemun Stadium in Seoul. Here, amidst the old ladies trying to get you to stop for a drink and some stewed squid and old men pawning the finest in pirated movies, are literally thousands of locations hawking clothing of all qualities. You can go directly to the stadium, in which hundreds of individuals have arranged their goods in side by side stalls.


Haggling is encouraged and if you do it correctly, you can walk out with quite a bundle of goods for about the cost of the subway ticket to get there (okay, a bit more than that). Located just across the street from the stadium are what look like huge department stores. They are a mix between the traditional Korean department stores and the Stadium Market. The goods sold here seem to be of a bit higher quality and the sellers aren’t as open to haggling if you don’t speak Korean. The goods offered in these markets can come from potentially anywhere. You’ll find rip-offs and copies of varying believability, odd or defective items direct from a label’s distributor or even items from people’s personal closets. When considering an item, browse it over CAREFULLY. As there aren’t any receipts offered, you can not always be guaranteed a refund or exchange once you hand over the money. You should ask if you can try the item on; sometimes you’ll be allowed and sometimes not. Usually, be wary if you aren’t allowed, as the item MIGHT just be a tad too small. Also, when it comes to haggling, never accept the price that they first say. Consider the quality after their quote, make a lower offer and then stick to your guns.


Pros: CHEAP prices for decent pieces of clothing. Even though the pieces won’t always be actual pieces in a label’s line, it still may look good and cost you a fraction of a fraction of what you would pay in the department stores.


Cons: Limited English complicates things immensely, as does the limited size. The markets rarely offer sizes that fit someone who wears an XL size or shoes bigger than a size 10. Also, the quality and life of the item vary, so pay special attention!

The discount stores and individual stores (brand name and otherwise) carry everything else you’d need for decent prices. You’ll find makeup, dental care items, toilet tissue and everything in between. In fact, it is generally recommended that you buy what ever hygienic products you need at the discount stores as they are a bit more impersonal and you needn’t worry about being too shy about purchasing whatever you need...


A special note must be added here about a topic most Westerners start using around 14 years old; deodorant.? As stated in the necessities section (), you should bring enough of this coveted product as is possible to carry. In Korea, deodorant is considered a seasonal item and as such, it is not always readily available.? When the weather does start to warm up a bit, deodorant will become more readily available, but for seemingly outrageous prices.? A 180 ml stick of deodorant (a small amount) will cost you about $7 USD. It’s definitely worth bringing along several sticks, and having family mail some over when you run out.
You can refer to the websites of the major retailers below, as well as some of the larger brand named goods offered in Korea.

The question becomes not “What can I get?” but rather, “How much (or how little) can I get it for?” Here, again, you’ll have to observe some general rules of shopping in Korea. Steer clear of department stores when looking for your electronics goods as they tend to be pricier than at other locations. Goods there are aimed at appeasing the tastes (and egos) of the luxurious and wealthy. Some things, like cameras and house phones may be affordable, but your electronics buying dollar can be spent better at other places.


The discount stores and individual brand name stores do offer quality alternatives, but again you should look weigh each option carefully. Electronics markets, for the seasoned electronics shopper, can offer a much more affordable and worthwhile venture. Most of the big cities will have big electronics markets specializing in nothing but the finest gadgets and gizmos with all the bells and whistles you could want (with a price of course).


If you are technology savvy, you’ll have no problem wondering through these markets finding good deals (even better if you speak some Korean) as haggling is possible. The biggest thing you must watch out for is the quality and reliability of the item purchased. Very rarely will you be able to return something if a problem arises with it, and warranties aren’t always offered on the goods either. So, make sure you are up on your technology or go with someone who is. For an idea of what you might be able to find, check out the websites mentioned below.

Larger, pricier items can be purchased from venders in shops offering such items as expensive ceramic pieces, gold jewelry and traditional wood works and paintings. Not all of the shops will be able to provide certificates of authenticity, though they will have no problem charging you like you were purchasing national treasures. Make sure you shop in reputable locations and be very shrewd with these purchases, as fakes abound and are often only distinguishable to experts.


The best way to find excellent deals is by getting out and searching around the major tourist spots around the country, as well as some of the out of the way places. You’ll be expanding your horizons while also finding the perfect piece to grace your parents’ china cabinet. You can also refer to the websites of the provinces and major cities, as they offer excellent insight into some of the best locations with the best reputations.

In the big cities, you should be able to buy English newspapers outside of most subway stations from convenience stores or newsstands, for around $0.70 USD. Outside of those major metropolitan areas, subscriptions are available, though delivery may be a little behind the date of printing in rural areas.


English books can be found in a good number of bookstores, both around college campuses and in national book retailers. In these national bookstores, prices tend to be along the lines of what you’d pay back home, though the selection varies depending on your area (with larger selections available at big retailers such as Bandi and Lunis, Kyobo Bookstore, Young-poong Bookstore, etc., in the big cities). For locations and subscriptions, please refer to the websites below.

Shopping Websites: