Model Irene Kim Offers Tips For Late-Night Shopping In Seoul: 'They Definitely Will Try To Overcharge Foreigners, So Be Careful'
South Korean model Irene Kim has a tip for any non-residents in town for Seoul Fashion Week that are considering visiting one of the city's legendary night markets--don't become an easy mark for crafty vendors.
In an interview published Wednesday by Vogue, Kim offered some sensible street smarts for tourists in a section labeled "Come prepared."
"When you come to Seoul, bring a lot of bags that you can pack your clothes in because you'll definitely find really fun pieces that you can layer with things you have at home. They do take credit cards, but it's obviously better to go with cash," said the model.
"If I pay cash, I might try to haggle a little bit. They do expect it and they definitely will try to overcharge foreigners, so be careful."
In what was an overwhelmingly positive discussion of how to navigate Seoul's famed Dongdaemun Market after hours, Kim raved about what a rare place the market is.
"It's really the only place in the world that I've seen where you can shop until 5:00 in the morning, sober," she said. "Well, you could be drunk. You can get some soju and kimchi pancakes at the pojangmacha, then go shop again!"
At Dongdaemun, shopping into the wee hours of the morning isn't just tolerated; it's the norm.
"The markets are so much fun because they open at 10:00 p.m. to the public--when the shopping starts at 10:00 p.m., it kind of gives you an idea of what it's like--and it goes all night, until like 5:00 a.m. It does get very crowded," Kim said.
"Peak time is probably 1:00 a.m. I know, it's crazy, right? So, I usually start at about 11:00 p.m. or even midnight."
The seasoned shopping pro even offers a plan of attack.
"Dongdaemun is multiple floors: The first floor is basic casual, and then it's men's, women's, kids, accessories, shoes. I would start from the top at accessories and shoes, and just work your way down the escalator," Kim said.
But the key, says the Seoulite, is making sure to give yourself plenty of time.
"An hour is not enough!" she said. "You'll get to maybe half a floor. Go for at least two or three. There are floors and floors of clothes, shoes, bags, makeup and then in between the buildings are the pojangmacha, which are stalls with Korean junk food."