SEOUL (ANN/THE KOREA HERALD) – Nestled in the vibrant heart of Jung-gu lies Myeong-dong, a renowned shopping haven boasting iconic destinations like Shinsegae Department Store and Lotte Department Store, drawing throngs of tourists and locals alike.
Yet, amidst the bustling streets, lies a hidden gem: Hoehyun Shopping Center.
Beneath the surface, this underground arcade, linked to Shinsegae Department Store, beckons music enthusiasts with its captivating allure.
At its core stands Livingsa, a sanctuary for audiophiles, offering an eclectic array of secondhand LPs.
From timeless jazz melodies to electrifying rock anthems, classical harmonies, and even nostalgic J-pop and K-pop tunes, Livingsa caters to every musical palate, inviting patrons on a journey through sonic landscapes of the past and present.
Visitors can quickly browse the albums by such music legends as Elton John, Madonna and Jimi Hendrix.
Music lovers, of course, can take time to discover the lesser-known, rare LPs or find new favourite artists as well.
Make sure to bring your earphones to sample the vinyl records on a turntable operated by the store owner.
“I never counted the albums one by one, but I am sure there are almost 70,000 vinyl records stored in our shop,” the owner of Livingsa told the source on Tuesday.
Prices range from a few thousand won to hundreds of thousands, depending on rarity and the condition of the LP. Considered a classic, “Plastic Love” by Mariya Takeuchi has a price sticker of 155,000 won, for example.
“Instead of searching for a song on YouTube or Melon, I find it really interesting to look at the LPs and the cover art. I think these experiences make me hear certain songs (or albums) more often than others,” a 21-year-old university student who wished to remain anonymous told the source.
Artefacts from Pompeii
If you plan to visit The Hyundai Seoul this weekend for some shopping, stop by a special exhibition that will take you back in time to the mysterious city of Pompeii 2,000 years ago.
The exhibition titled “The Last Days of Pompeii” is taking place at the cultural space Alt1, on the sixth floor of The Hyundai Seoul, Yeouido.
On August 24, 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, destroying Pompeii, a city with a flourishing Greco-Roman culture. The entire city was well preserved for more than 1,700 years due to the volcanic ash and excavations have been carried out since 1748.
The exhibition, held in conjunction with the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy, showcases 127 artefacts, including marble and bronze statues, frescoes and daily necessities of the ancient people.
Entering the exhibition hall, a marble statue of Hermes, the god of messengers, welcomes visitors in his winged leather shoes. Artwork that decorated Pompeii’s luxurious mansions, including an Aphrodite statue, a Dionysus bust and a Satyr bronze statue, as well as a krater, jewellery, and garden water basins, show how the people of Pompeii lived.
At the end of the exhibition, a short film depicting the volcanic eruption allows visitors to be immersed in the disaster.
The exhibition is open from 10 am to 8 pm every day until May 6.
Haven for movie aficionados
Movie fans will surely feel at home at Cinema 4, a cinema store and cafe boasting a collection of rare movie-related goods, an assortment of desserts and mini-movie theatres.
Located near Sangsu Station on Subway Line 6, visitors can browse unique movie-themed merchandise here.
Posters, postcards, key rings and figurines depicting characters from classic movies such as “Wizard of Oz,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Chungking Express” and “In the Mood for Love” are put on sale.
DVDs of movies are also available for purchase, for an average price of KRW1,000 (USD0.75).
Visitors can also browse a curated collection of movie-related books, including those that delve into the filmmaking process, while indulging in desserts.
Cinema 4 also features miniature movie theatres where visitors can watch films of their choice, by selecting a movie from a list.
Cinema 4 operates from noon to 8 pm, Thursday through Sunday. The shop is closed Monday through Wednesday. Visitors are allowed to bring their pets.
