30 Aug
In Search Of Cheap Finds
I’m currently on a mission to decorate my new apartment. While there are plenty of home decor stores like Muji and Homeplus, I’m trying to find items on the cheaper end. Living in Gangnam-gu can be expensive, so I am trying to pinch pennies wherever I can. When I asked my friend where other good, cheap shopping areas were, the first place she mentioned was GOTO Mall. I knew that Korea had underground shopping malls, but I had never heard of GOTO Mall before. If you’re heading to Korea to teach English, you will want to check this out if you can!
Location
GOTO Mall is located at the “Express Bus Terminal” stop. Make your way to metro Line No. 9. After that, take Exit 8-1 and you will be greeted with more vendors than you can dream of. They sell handbags, women’s clothing, men’s clothing, tech accessories, bedding, underwear, skincare, and more. There are even tarot card readers! You name it, GOTO Mall probably has it. For this trip, I’m searching for some nice bedding, warm-toned home decor, and other small housewares.
Cash Is King
Before you go to GOTO Mall, be prepared with cash (Korean Won obviously) and proper walking shoes. Most of the vendors will only accept cash. This underground mall is HUGE and you will be walking around for a couple hours. On top of that, this mall can become really crowded.
TIP: I would recommend going on a week-day and during working hours. There won’t be as many people and you can move around much more freely.
Thrifting Vibes
While I was shopping, it felt like I was thrifting back in the States. Having to dig around and search for what you are looking for is both annoying and rewarding at the same time. In comparison to the prices of other stores in Seoul, GOTO Mall is a steal! I found so many different polos, jeans, t-shirts, and shorts for under 10,000 won ($7.50)!
No Brand
If you haven’t yet had enough, there are even stores right outside of GOTO Mall (inside the metro stations, underground). After searching for a couple hours, I couldn’t find a comforter that I wanted. I did however find a vacuum and wooden bowl from a grocery store right next to GOTO Mall called No Brand.
Overall, I would say to definitely check GOTO Mall before you head to any major stores. You might be surprised at how many affordable and unique items you can find there! Also, check out our blog post on how to find affordable furniture!
Gabe White, Marketing Assistant
Gabriel (Gabe) White is a soon to be English teacher in South Korea. He is a Korean, Puerto Rican-American from the Richmond, Virginia area and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Commonwealth University. Being involved in student organizations like Filipino Americans Coming Together at VCU (FACT@VCU) and VCU Globe during his college years, Gabe learned just how much he enjoys experiencing new cultures. In his free time, Gabe loves teaching local dance classes, spending quality time with his loved ones, exploring new cities, and watching nostalgic movies.