Essential Must-Buy Items for Your South Korea Free Travel: All in Myeongdong? No, at Gangnam Duty Free, Hyundai Department Store Duty Free Trade Center

The cold winter air brings the scent of Christmas. Seoul has a strong Christmas atmosphere, and many shopping centers have already started decorating for Christmas, including my shopping paradise—Gangnam Duty Free, Hyundai Department Store Duty Free Trade Center. For those who want to spend Christmas in Seoul and experience the thrill of shopping, can't wait to embark on a romantic free trip to South Korea. This travel guide to South Korea shares how to navigate Gangnam Duty Free and Hyundai Department Store Duty Free Trade Center, and what to buy on your trip to Korea.

Some travelers worry about getting lost, but taking a taxi is too expensive. Actually, taking the subway is very convenient and you won't get lost. For example, take subway line 9 to Bongeunsa Station, or line 2 to Samseong Station to reach Gangnam Duty Free and Hyundai Department Store Duty Free Trade Center. At Incheon Airport, you can also take airport buses 6103 and 6006 and get off at COEX Trade Center Station. Next, let's talk about the brand distribution on each floor and what must-buy items in Korea are.

Floors 8-10 are the duty free area. The membership service desk is on the 10th floor, where you can register as a member. Floor 8 mainly features luxury brands such as PRADA, GUCCI, BURBERRY, COACH, CELINE, OMEGA, LONGINES, IWC, TISSOT, etc., from bags to watches, covering a variety of products to meet customer needs. With duty-free prices plus brand discounts, it's very affordable.

Floor 9 mainly features beauty and skincare brands, including popular high-end brands like BOBBI BROWN, SHU UEMURA, GIVENCHY, YSL, SISLEY, TOM FORD, as well as Korean brands like Sulwhasoo, The History of Whoo, INNISFREE, Dr.Jart+, CLIO, and others. The discounts on K-beauty products are quite good, so you can stock up! Floor 9 also has a perfume zone, featuring brands such as Clive Christian, Le Labo, BORNTOSTANDOUT, etc. Some perfumes are hard to find outside of Korean duty-free shops, so it's a great deal! Additionally, floor 8 has BOTTEGA VENETA (EYEWEAR), and floor 8 also has ALEXANDER MCQUEEN (EYEWEAR) and other brands. Korea's famous red ginseng brand, Cheong Kwan Jang, is also on this floor, so customers who want to buy red ginseng for their parents can check it out. Floor 10 mainly features casual sportswear brands like MLB, NERDY, FILA, WHO.A.U, with many series that are not available in China. There are also some home lifestyle brands, as well as food and electronics.

Hyundai Department Store Duty Free also offers various events and benefits for customers. Foreign independent travelers can scan the QR code to become a member of Hyundai Department Store Duty Free and participate in the 'Hyunwoogeum' event. You will automatically receive 16% Hyunwoogeum daily, which can be used immediately at the city stores (Trade Center store, Dongdaemun store)! Furthermore, independent travelers who join as Silver Card members can enjoy up to 10% off, plus 16% Hyunwoogeum, for a maximum of 26% off!

In November and December, Hyundai Department Store Duty Free also has a large event—the 5th Anniversary Celebration. At the Christmas zone of Hyundai Department Store Seoul, which is wildly popular online each year, the Hyundai Department Store Duty Free 5th Anniversary pop-up store event awaits everyone to participate! Here, you can take photos at the photo zone that recreates the TV commercial of Hyundai Department Store Duty Free featuring NewJeans, and also participate in a secret giveaway to win the most popular high-end products from the duty-free shop. The brand ambassador of Hyundai Department Store Duty Free, NewJeans, has left autographs in the pop-up store, so you can come and pay homage!

Are you looking forward to shopping at Gangnam Duty Free and Hyundai Department Store Duty Free Trade Center in Seoul this Christmas? You can use this guide to see what to buy at the duty-free shop. If you are planning a 5-day Seoul travel itinerary, you can set aside one day to shop at Hyundai Department Store Duty Free Trade Center and experience a different Christmas shopping atmosphere~