한국국제교류재단

Local markets have recently sprung up in Seoul’s bustling areas, such as Hongdae, Daehangno, and Gwanghwamun. At the flea markets, people are allowed to sell their used goods, while the so-called “five-day markets” continue to make the rounds in the outlying provincial areas. Above all, these local markets offer a much more diverse and unique assortment of vendors and goods.
Just as the marketplaces of London, Paris, and Tokyo have become popular tourist attractions, the local markets of Korea have been establishing themselves as must-see destinations in their respective locales.
From produce and food products that were once rare in Korea to handicrafts designed and made by the vendors, each market has its own unique charm and allure, offering visitors something new regardless of which table they visit. Despite this diversity, however, these marketplaces also share common aspects that cannot be found at commercial shopping malls: a true sense of community and passionate energy. Producers can interact directly with consumers and introduce original products, lending the marketplace a festive atmosphere. Such scenes transcend national borders. Every event attracts international visitors and vendors, the latter often offering unique handmade products and foods from their home countries. Markets also offer exhibitions, public performances, and workshops, evolving beyond sales transactions to spaces where people gather for cultural enrichment.
The bustling markets are flooded with people looking to escape the daily commotion and experience a slower-paced, more fulfilling lifestyle, even if it’s just for a brief time. So where can you find these commercial yet tradition-bound sites, where communication and interaction are a part of this form of personal commerce?

Marche@: An Urban Farmers’ Market
Marche@ is an urban market focused on diversifi ed small-scale farms but also features booths operated by chefs and handicraft artists. The market not only offers native produce but rare fi nds that are diffi cult to purchase in Korea, such as butternut squash and Italian eggplant— not to mention several food stands with exotic eats, providing a wholly enjoyable experience for members of Seoul’s international community.

• Marronnier Park, Daehangno, Seoul
• Second Monday of every month

Gyedanjang: An Exotic Marketplace behind a Mosque
A lively fl ea market run by local residents and artists, Gyedanjang (literally “Stairs Market”) is set up at an unusual venue—on the stairs directly behind the Seoul Central Mosque. Offering an extensive array of goods and eats, the market stays true to Itaewon’s reputation as the home of a large number of international vendors who offer exotic, vintage products for the adventurous shopper.

• Usadan-gil, Itaewon, Seoul
• Last Saturday of every month

Bellongjang: Filled with One-of-a-Kind Goodies
Launched as a small-scale fl ea market by artists in their 30s and 40s who had relocated to Jeju so that they could barter goods, Bellongjang is now the island’s largest market for local artworks. Everything being sold here is a unique item handcrafted by the vendor, a true one-ofa- kind work. Live performances, held throughout the grounds, further energize the market’s festive atmosphere.

• Sehwa beach, Jeju
• Every Saturday