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🇰🇷 South Korea /Economy & Trade

Gangnam gets jewelry, Hanam cafés and Sinchon K-pop as department stores tailor their first floors

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • South Korean department stores are moving beyond uniform layouts and adapting their first-floor offerings to local customers and commercial districts.
  • Hyundai Department Store’s Sinchon branch moved its K-pop music, merchandise and café complex to the first floor to attract students and foreign tourists.
  • The branch also turned its entire 12th floor into a subculture venue for virtual idol shows, fan meetings and cosplay events.

The old idea that every department store looks the same wherever customers go is fading in South Korea. Retailers are increasingly tailoring store layouts and tenant strategies to the neighborhoods they serve.

The change is especially visible on the first floor, traditionally dominated by cosmetics and luxury brands. Jewelry galleries, large cafés and K-pop content are now becoming part of the public face of individual branches.

Hyundai Department Store’s Sinchon branch moved its K-pop albums, merchandise and café complex, Opeak, from the basement to the first floor on the 5th. The decision reflects Sinchon’s large population of university students and foreign tourists, placing entertainment content at the entrance of the store.

The branch has expanded that approach beyond the first floor. Its entire 12th floor now operates as Space Illustar, a subculture complex used for virtual idol performances, fan meetings and cosplay events.

About this summary

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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