By Honorary Reporter Monthi Rosselini from Indonesia 

Photos = Monthi Rosselini

Thrift shopping is both trendy and good for the environment because it keeps used or discarded clothing or items out of landfills and reduces chemical pollution. I went thrift shopping for the first time in Seoul in January 2020. 

The capital has many venues for secondhand items, from Dongmyo Flea Market, Gwangjang Vintage Market and Seoul Folk Flea Market to Seocho Saturday Flea Market and vintage stores at most popular shopping areas like Hongdae, Sinchon, Gangnam and Myeongdong that carry rare and unique items.

I went shopping at Dongmyo Flea Market in January 2020.

One of the places that I visited for thrift shopping was Dongmyo Flea Market, an outdoor place that sells used clothing, shoes, watches, records and antiques. Among the things I bought were a secondhand green military jacket for KRW 10,000 and a no-brand dress for KRW 3,000. The great thing about shopping at the market is shoppers can always haggle over price.

I bought a used jacket and dress and baseball equipment for my son.

Not only did the items have good prices but they were also in good condition. Please visit these markets when in Seoul, as shopping for used items not only benefits the consumer but also the planet.

Seoul Folk Flea Market (left) has many used clothing and Dongmyo Flea Market specializes in antiques and vintage items.

The following are my five tips for thrift shopping in Seoul.

1. Research ahead to see if a flea market sells one's desired items.

2. Shoppers can haggle over price at most flea markets.

3. Check to see if an item has defects before buying it.

4. Use patience to dig around and find quality and cool stuff.

5. Be a bit experimental by mixing and matching outfits from hundreds of apparel choices.

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.