Shopping in Korea (Songtan Area)
Written: May 24 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: No copyright laws
Cons: no such thing as unlimited income
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| jwcumming's Full Review: South Korea |
Well, I felt obliged to write this opinion on South Korea. I am in the Air Force and I have been stationed here for the past twelve months. In the past twelve months, I have seen so much of South Korea that any civilian could see. In Fact, civilians that are not here because of dependant status with a military member can actually go to more places.
I am stationed at Osan AB which is about one hour south of Seoul. The City of Songtan is the actual location, Osan City is about twenty minutes away on the other side of Pyongtaek. A lot of military members make the pilgrammage to here for the incredible shopping and nightlife scene. So where do I start? How about where you will spend the most money - shopping.
The first thing you will hear as you enter the main strip of the shopping area is "Blanket, you want Blanket?" You will probably never see so much mink in your life and you can get mink blankets and robes in any color pattern with any animal, sports team, college your heart desires. The blankets normally sell for $20, but I've talked them down to $10. The trick is be their first customer about four days before military payday. This is the day everyone is short of money and they can't float a check because it will only stay out about three days.
The next thing you will notice is Leather, lots and lots of Leather. High quality leather that will be furnished into a coat, duster, pants, or anything else you want and will be tailored to your body. Made especially for you. This goes for cowboy boots too. Oh, and as far as the boots go - alligator, python, ostrich ... all those really expensive ones in the states sell for about $200 over here.
The tailoring doesn't just stop at leather. There are so many clothing tailors up and down the strip it will blow you mind. I recommend Mr Oh's. He is the first one you come to as you enter the Shinjang Shopping Center (the main drag) on the right. Any design, any material, any color - two weeks. And if you go to Mr. Yu's Shoes down the street from him and tell him you had something made at Mr. Oh's, Mr. Yu will give you a discount on shoes to match your new outfit. Pretty cool.
A very cool thing that I had never seen before until I got here was a rice necklace. When I took mid-tour to go home for the birth of my daughter (I love you Morgan!! Thanks Angie), we saw a mall selling them for above five dollars and it was just your name on the rice. The rice necklaces here have your name in English on one side of the rice and in Korean (Hongul) on the other. It is then placed in a tube of any color you want, on any size rope you want, and if you want to put your kid's names or sweetheart's name on another rice you can. Mine has my kids' names and my name in it. Oh, and it only costs $2.
Next, is the blatant disregard the Koreans have for Copyright laws. This isn't a bad thing. It doesn't matter what it is you want: Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, Gucci - they have it. I sent my mother a Coach purse for Mother's day. NHL jerseys that would normally cost $80 dollars and up stateside are $12 at Mr Joe's. This is the only place I buy my jerseys at. Everywhere else they make them themselves and have defects. Mr Joe gets his sweaters straight from Pro Player and Starter and is the only one who gets the home, away, and third jerseys. He also has an incredible stock of FUBU, NFL, NHL, and NBA apparel. For you NASCAR fans, Lee's Racing Shop is the place for you. All those nice Authentic Jackets the driver's wear that cost upwards of $500 stateside are $80 dollars here. And they can do any driver. Unfortunately, that means there might be more Rainbow Warrior apparel going stateside. For all of you Rodeo fans, they have a full line of PBR merchandise that will knock your socks off and still leave money in your wallet.
Want to make your office look better than your boss'? Take a look in all the little stores in between the copyright infringing businesses. Nameplates, clocks, plagues, statues, knick-knacks, chessboards...you can make yourself look like the CEO even though they pay you like you work in the mailroom.
In short, Songtan is the world's largest flea market. After all of this shopping you are going to be hungry. Look for my food reviews, that will give you a tour of the best places to eat. Anyo (Good bye) and Come sum ni da (Thank you).
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jwcumming
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Member: Jason Cumming
Location: Manchester, NH
Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 2 members
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