Flea & Antique Markets

Flea & Antique Markets

Among some of Seoul’s major tourist sites are a few unique flea markets selling all kinds of secondhand goods and antique items. Some of them take place all year round, while others are held on a weekly, yearly, or seasonal basis. From handmade goods and food to artwork, secondhand clothing, household appliances, musical instruments, and other unique items, the sheer diversity of goods is enough to warrant a visit to any of Seoul’s major flea markets located in the popular and accessible neighborhoods of Hongdae, Myeong-dong, Gangnam, and Itaewon Special Tourist Zone.

Hwanghakdong Flea Market (Dokkaebi Market)

The Hwanghakdong Flea Market is a special market located along the Cheonggyecheon Stream that sells secondhand goods. It is also popularly known as “Manmul (all-things) Market” due to its variety of goods and “Dokkaebi (a Korean goblin) Market” as the dark interior of the shops stacked high with antiques makes one think of a place where goblins might live. The flea market is comprised of street vendors selling old books and videos, the antique street, the electronic appliance stores, the machinery stores, and the stalls out on the street. The market place became more popular thanks to the recent visit of G-Dragon, a member of the Korean pop group Big Bang, during the shooting of Korea’s popular entertainment show Infinite Challenge (Muhan Dojeon; 무한도전).

Seoul Folk Flea Market

The Seoul Folk Flea Market sells specialty products from different regions in Korea. The market was formed by gathering the former shops and vendors of Hwanghak-dong Flea Market (Dokkaebi Market), who lost their shop locations during the restoration of the Cheonggyecheon Stream. The Seoul Folk Flea Market offers everyday goods, souvenirs, and folk items that shed light on the past lifestyles of Koreans. The market is divided into specialized spaces for selling miscellaneous goods, clothing, antiques and crafts, local specialties, tourism souvenirs, and more. Visitors to the market can also enjoy a wide range of traditional Korean snacks and food at affordable prices.

Insa-dong’s Ssamziegil

Ssamziegil, an arts and crafts specialty shopping mall on the famous Insa-dong Street, first opened its doors December 18, 2004. Visitors can find a diverse collection of Korean handicrafts and designer goods. The shopping mall has four above ground levels which are connected by a walkway that wraps around the mall’s atrium. The shopping center offers plenty of attractions as exhibitions, performances, and events take place in its courtyard. In addition, nearby Insa-dong Art Street and the many galleries, traditional teahouses, and restaurants lining Insa-dong Street allow visitors to experience traditional Korean culture in the heart of Seoul.

Hongdae Free Market

Photo: Hongdae Art Free Market

The Hongdae Free Market started in 2002 in the college neighborhood of Hongdae and has been held each year to allow artists and visitors a chance to interact and communicate in a public, open space. It is Korea’s largest art market, bringing together over a hundred artists who put on performances and sell, exchange, and exhibit their work every week; it sets itself apart from flea markets, where second hand goods are sold and purchased. The works that are most commonly sold here include metal crafts, leatherworks, ceramic crafts, woodcrafts, glass works, and recycled art. Visitors to the market can also enjoy performances by local buskers.

Myeong-dong Myeongnang Market

Photo Credit: Living & Art Creative Center

The Myeong-dong Myeongnang Market is a night market held from 17:00 until 21:00 on Fridays. Around a hundred groups participate every week in making up the vendors of this market. As this weekly market takes place in the major Seoul tourist destination of Myeong-dong, it draws many international tourists and locals alike. Visitors can explore a wide variety of goods and crafts that reflect the unique personality of each vendor in a relaxed, playful atmosphere. Come nightfall, candles and lanterns are lit at each stall to create a pleasant atmosphere.

Seocho Saturday Flea Market

Photo credit: Seocho-gu District Office

The Seocho Saturday Flea Market has been held for 13 years and was originally a place for selling used household items in an effort to combat the effects of Korea’s IMF economic crisis in 1997. Comprised of around 700 stalls each week, the flea market is held on Saturdays from 9:00 to 15:00. The market is divided into different sections with goods for the general public, children and adolescents, nursery products, and seasonal items. The market also holds street concerts, creative arts programs, and other hands-on events for visitors.

Itaewon Gyedanjang Market

Photo: Usadan Village

Itaewon Gyedanjang Market, gyedan meaning stairs in Korean, has its name from spreading goods out on the stairs. This fun flea market is held the last Saturday of every month from spring to autumn; you will catch a glimpse of an unusual scene where visitors step up and down the stairs to purchase clothes, art and crafts as well as many other items on sale. It would be quite fun to explore what the sellers unfold on their display stand and stalls with a variety of goods. There are also small operas and performances by indie bands, turning the market into an exotic village festival.

* Payments are generally made in cash at the markets.

* This column was last updated in October 2015, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details from the official websites before visiting.

<Last updated on October 15, 2015>