What to buy in South Korea

[notanotherroast]

I'm heading there soon and would like to get some nice stuff as Xmas gofts for nieces
Whats should I be looking for?

I took a picture into the places with me (of DD) and they recommended things. I don’t know what’s fashionable with the youngsters but the things they gave me for DD really worked.

That is a great idea!! I'll definitely do that.
Did you enjoy the trip?

It was a whistle stop tour on the way to somewhere else but we loved it. South Korea is a lovely mixture of very modern and hi-tech with traditional and historical. I didn’t love Singapore so I wondered if I would like South Korea but I really did. We will definitely go back. We stayed in a very traditional guesthouse with the world’s nicest host. But we also considered a robot hotel. That’s South Korea in a nutshell!

Are you getting out into the country or mostly Seoul? Independent or tour-based. If independent, bring cash to put on the T-money card. https://inmykorea.com/t-money-card-korean-transportation-card/ It’s very easy to get around as long as you are used to big city transport! And people are so helpful. Learn the manners because it’s very important.

Sounds good . Organised ourselves but we are used to travelling independently.
Seoul Busan and Jeju island .
Thankyou for the tips xx

Olive & Young is a must for beauty stuff, branches everywhere. Are they into K-pop - lots of band merchandise around? Also shops selling cutesy ‘preppy’ (?) stuff.

korean cosmetics, face cream, hand cream and masks - lots of great products and cute packaging. Friends used to ask me to get. Laneige (sp?) and I liked too cool for school. In myeongdong in Seoul every other shop sells cosmetics. I know Uniqlo is Japanese but they have a really large store in Seoul which is worth a look. There’s also a really nice shopping area in the pedestrian area in insadong which sells lots of cute earrings, stationery,bags etc. I used to live in China and visited South Korea many times- it’s fabulous!

Thankyou all so much
My DH has zero patience for shopping so need to hit the shops with immediate success!!

Learn the manners because it’s very important.

This. Also don’t forget deodorant as it’s hard to get there especially since the American army base has moved out of Seoul.
There is no tipping culture.
Maybe get the name of where you’re staying written in the Korean alphabet as not everyone speaks English.
Have fun! Best country ever.

Thankyou all so much great tips! Not long to go now!