Korea Travel guide_Mega shopping malls

If you're interested in Korea fashion and "Hallyu", visit Seoul's mega sized shopping malls.

One-stop centers for dining, entertainment and more!

These days, the latest catchphrase that is sweeping the nation is "one-stop"- one-stop everythiing! As city life becomes more complex, more and more giant "one-stop, cultural complexes" are springing up across the capital city of Seoul. These huge centers are typically connected to major transport hubs and promise to save customers' time by combining department stores, supermarkets, bookstores, restaurants and movie theaters. The emergence of these multi-purpose mega complexes has changed the way people enjoy shopping and how they spend their leisure time.

Leading this new trend are TIMES SQUARE(Yeongdeungpo Station), I'PARKmall(Yongsan Station) and Central City(Express Bus Terminal Station). Directly linked to major transport hubs offering subway, train, and express bus services, these shopping centers have become major one-stop destinations for both travelers and locals alike.

TIMES SQUARE - Nature-Friendly Multi Space

Opened in September 2009, TIMES SQUARE is a mega multi-purpose shopping mall with a hotel, cinema, home store, department store, and countless other shops. As one of the newest shopping malls in Seoul, TIMES SQUARE features an urbanized interior combined with plenty of natural spaces like fountains and gardens. The Main Atrium, the symbol of TIMES SQUARE, is glass-roofed leisure space that stretches upward for five floors. 


What sets Times Square apart from other malls is its cultural spaces. Instead of being filled with stores from the ground up, the first floor features a spacious lobby and a small round stage. The upper floors offer well-spaced shops, a movie theater, a bookstore, a game center, coffee shops, restaurants, and pubs. There are plenty of open outdoor spaces like the ecology park, fountain, rooftop garden, and more.

Major Stores & Facilities Shinsegae Department Store, CGV Cinema, Kyobo Bookstore, Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Times Square, Amoris Banquet Hall, E-Mart, Kids’ Café: I Like Ddalki, Fitness Center, healthcare facilities (dentists, dermatologist, plastic surgeon), banks, restaurants, etc.

Address: Seoul-si, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Yeongdeungpo-dong, 4-ga
Tel.: +82-2-2638-2000
Transportation: Directly connected to Yeongdeungpo Station (Seoul Subway Line 1)
1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Homepage: http://www.timessquare.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

I'PARKmall - Digital Goods Shopping Center

Opened in August 2006 behind Yongsan Station (an area known for its electronic shops) I'PARKmall is a mega multi-purpose shopping mall of an overwhelming scale. It is conveniently linked to Yongsan Station, which is served by subway line 1 and a number of major bus routes. KTX trains to Korea's southwest region also start from Yongsan, so the area enjoys a considerably large amount of daily traffic. 


I’PARKmall features a department store that is divided into a ‘fashion zone,’ ‘living zone,’ and ‘culture zone.’ Also housed within this giant superstructure are CGV and the nation’s largest digital store, selling an astounding selection of computers, game equipment, mobile phones, cameras, and electronic household goods. Each floor specializes in certain items and a plethora of eager salespeople stand at the stores, ready to offer explanations about each brand. I’PARKmall also provides entertainment for younger visitors with the e-Sports Stadium (online gaming) and Putt-Putt Golf & Game, a miniature golf facility.

Major Stores & Facilities I’PARK Department Store, Digital Store, E-Mart, CGV Yongsan Cinema, e-Sports Stadium, Putt-Putt Golf & Game, bookstore, restaurants, etc.

Address: Seoul-si, Yongsan-gu, Hangang-ro 3-ga, 40-999
Tel.: +82-2-2012-0101
Transportation: Directly connected to Yongsan Station (Seoul Subway Line 1)
1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Homepage: www.iparkmall.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Central City - City of its Own

Central City is located in the Express Bus Terminal Station, which is served by subway lines 3, 7, and 9 as well as express buses connecting Seoul to 70 major cities across Korea. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people pass through the station, making it a bustling area where the “one-stop” mindset is a must.

True to its name, Central City is much like a city within a city and offers busy travelers and commuters a myriad of amenities. The fountain plaza in the center is a main rest stop and the large bookstore, record store, cinema, food courts, and stores are usually buzzing with activity. The shopping complex caters to the well-to-do with the nearby Shinsegae Department Store and JW Marriott Hotel, and to younger customers with Famille Park, an entertainment place for children. Of course, the shopping center also offers “one-stop” basics like banks and healthcare facilities.

Major Stores & Facilities Shinsegae Department Store, JW Marriott Seoul,Cinus Central Cinema, Youngpoong Bookstore, Central Terminal, Synnara Record, Famille Park, Convention & Wedding Hall, Food Court, etc.

Address: Seoul-si Seocho-gu Banpo-dong 19-3
Tel.: +82-2-6282-0114
Transportation: Directly connected to the Express Bus Terminal Station
(Seoul Subway Line 3, 7, 9)
1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Homepage: http://www.centralcityseoul.co.kr/ (Korean)

D-Cube City

D-Cube City, in terms of height and size, has emerged as a new landmark of southwestern Seoul. Opened just a few short months ago in August of 2011, the shopping complex is located at Sindorim Station, a major transportation hub connecting lines 1 and 2 of the Seoul Metro and the satellite cities of Ansan, Suwon, Incheon and Bucheon. 

D-Cube City consists of 51 stories of residential apartments and a 42-story cultural complex housing a hotel, offices, a department store, an art center, and a theme park. Not just a retail space for fashion and clothing, 30% of D-Cube’s total area is designated as ‘food & beverage space’ with an array of restaurants to suit any taste. At Sweet Castle, you’ll be met by an army of desserts from all over the world. At ‘Theme Noodle Center’ noodle dishes abound, while the ‘Korean Market Street’ offers the opportunity to taste local Korean gourmet dishes while sitting in a traditional Hanok-style eatery. 

If you are looking for a fun place for you and your children, look no further! The D-Cube Art Center features the ‘D-Cube Theater,’ an exclusive theater for musicals, and ‘Space Sindorim,’ a multi-purpose theater for plays, exhibitions, and lectures. There’s even a super-sized kids play land (Pororo Park) on the 4th floor themed after the beloved cartoon character Pororo and his friends. 

Providing a leisure space that’s fun for the whole family, the center is also emerging as a top tourist spot thanks to its great selection of food and merchandise. As an added convenience for guests, the center includes the Sheraton Seoul D-Cube City Hotel – the only super deluxe hotel in southwest Seoul. The hotel boasts 269 guestrooms as well as a banquet hall, fitness center, and spa.

Major Stores & Facilities: Sheraton Seoul D-Cube City Hotel, D-Cube Department Store, D-Cube Arts Center, D-Cube Park, Pororo Theme Park, Food Theme Restaurant (Hansik Street, World Street Food, Chinese Food Theme Hall)

Address: Seoul-si Guro-gu Gyeongin-ro 662 D-Cube City
Tel: +82-2-2211-1000
Transportation: Exit 1 of Sindorim Station (Subway Lines 1 &2) 
1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) 
Homepage: http://www.dcubecity.com/ (Korean)

from Korea Tourism Organization