Shopping in Korea

I don't adore shopping or even window-shopping per se. Really hate to dilly-dally and waste my time (sorry shopaholics, cause I am not in that group, definitely). Do I sound so nerdy? Hahaha..I am half a guy here.

But, here I am telling you about my shopping experience in Korea for autumn and winter. I hope I don't sound too boring though. Verdict: I had two coats prepared for winter but after getting some advice from my korean friends, it would be better if I shop once I reach Seoul.

When I came around end of September, the weather was temperate and warm like in Malaysia so if you're coming in to Korea around this time, you don't have to bring thick clothes. If you feel cold, cardigan or thin jumper will do. You could layer your clothes if you are prone to cold weather. Sneakers are fine but bring more socks. Your feet will be smelly because you will walk a lot. Trust me on this one. Korea's landscape is 70-80% mountains so you could imagine. You can't escape fatigue!!

However for middle-October, you may need thicker jumper. My two cents - just bring one good jumper and layer. The rest, buy the clothes in Korea. Due to global warming, autumn span is shorter than winter and the weather drastically change unknowingly. minus 2 degree is normal but if there's wind, you gonna die in the cold. Yikes! Buy a good pair of gloves. They sell it almost everywhere, on the street side and don't forget to bargain the price!!

November and December are cold ranging from 10 to minus 10 degrees. On some days it would be colder depending on the region you are in - Gangwondo, Seorak mountain are will be colder compared to the southern part. Maybe, you could buy cheap winter clothes in bundle shops in Malaysia and buy a better one in Korea.

Why? Because you're gonna be green in envy when you see Korean are so stylish in winter. They wear fashionable clothes, pretty scarves, winter boots. Arghh..they have SALE almost everywhere! If you look around in Migliore, Doota, APM and Lotte shopping complexes, they have huge price slashes for autumn and winter clothes!!

My case - we bought winter clothes from Basic House, where Hyun Bin and Yoon Eun Hye are the ambassador for 50,000 won.

Later when we walked into Young Plaza (next to AvenueL)in Myeongdong - we saw a very stylish winter coat for 29,000 won because they had SALE there. Darn!

Clothes are cheaper in Dongdaemun (compared to Malaysia) and you could haggle the price (in most of the shops). Just try your luck!

How? (if you don't know Korean..it's ok!)
1. Smile
2. Greet anyonghaseyo
3. Ask - olmayeyo
4. If you find the price is too ridiculous - haggle/bargain - kakka juseyo
5. If the price cut is reasonable - buy. If not, just walk over to the next shop. There's loads of shops selling similar stuffs. Don't worry!
6. Don't forget to say - Kamsahamnida.

Learn the basics

1- il
2- i
3- sam
4- sa
5- o
6- yuk
7- chil
8- pal
9- ku
10- ship

baek - hundred
chon - thousand
man - 10 thousand

eg. 100 won - baek won
1000 won - chon won
10,000 won - man won

varieties:
200 - i baek won
300 - sam baek won
the rest follows

2,000 - i chon won
3,000 - sam chon won
the rest follows

20,000 - i man won
30,000 - sam man won
the rest follows

For example, if the price is:
8,500 - pal chon o baek won
60,250 - yuk man i baek o ship won
9,700 - ku chon chil baek won

Interesting?

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