[Insta Walk] Finding 'Honey Items' at Dongmyo Flea Market

G-Dragon & Son Dam-bi Fashionista Favorites
LP Records, Vintage Cameras, Secondhand Clothes, Antiques... A Marketplace Street with Everything Except What’s Missing
Clothes Priced Cheaply from 1,000 to 5,000 Won
Increasing Visits from Young People, Becoming a New Nostalgic Street

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Trends come full circle. Until a few years ago, the 1990s vibe, once considered tacky, is now gaining attention from the younger generation under the name 'Newtro' (New + Retro). Even traditional markets, mainly frequented by middle-aged and older people, are seeing more young visitors. In particular, Dongmyo Flea Market has become the center of the Newtro craze, known as a place visited by fashion icons in the entertainment industry such as G-Dragon, Ryeowon, and Son Dam-bi.

On the 22nd at noon, I visited Dongmyo Station on Seoul Subway Line 1. From Exit 3, the market stretches along Dongmyo Park, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and Pyeonghwa Market. This market sells everything from secondhand clothes to used books, LP records, accessories, dishes, rice cookers, and cameras ? in other words, "everything except what you can't find." Dongmyo, originally a marketplace during the Joseon Dynasty, became a commercial area in the 1980s as secondhand goods vendors gathered. Later, merchants from Hwanghak-dong Flea Market, who had to relocate due to the Cheonggyecheon restoration project, joined, expanding the market further.

Entering the market, it was bustling with people despite being a weekday. On both sides were vintage shops selling secondhand clothes and street vendors selling older generation electronics like Samsung's 'My My.' On the stalls hung nostalgic clothes such as denim jackets that looked like those worn by the singer 'Sobangcha' or tteokbokki coats resembling 1990s elementary school uniforms. Nearby, everyday items like film cameras, dishes, watches, sewing machines, and lighters were casually displayed.

Among the elderly who looked quite aged, teenagers and people in their twenties were frequently seen. A 20-something couple, who looked like shopping pros at a glance, were among them. When approached, they said they had been regulars for five years. I asked them for their shopping tips. Ms. A (26, female) named an eco bag and cash as essential items for shopping at secondhand markets. She said, "Many people carry plastic bags, but they easily tear when you put various things in them. If you plan to buy a lot, I recommend bringing a suitcase," sharing a tip condensed from experience. Her boyfriend added, "Recently, many shops run by young owners have appeared, so some places accept card payments, but most still prefer cash."

The famous 'clothes graveyard' in the secondhand market, where clothes are piled up like a tomb, sells garments for 1,000 to 5,000 won, the cheapest prices in the market. However, finding good clothes is like "picking stars from the sky." Ms. A advised, "Good quality clothes are usually taken by vintage shops, so target the newer places."

So, I visited a vintage clothing store popular among people in their twenties. A young owner in his thirties and staff who looked even younger were welcoming customers. The store's four walls were filled with foreign brand clothes such as Polo, Nike, Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger, and Champion. A staff member in their twenties said, "Most of these clothes are brought from the U.S., Japan, and other countries." Interestingly, the store also operates online. Although online shopping has become common, it was surprising to see that even in Dongmyo, which seems frozen in the 1990s, items are sold online ? truly 'Newtro.'

I moved to a store labeled 'Luxury Secondhand Clothing.' There, luxury brands from France and Italy like Burberry, Chanel, Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Prada were on display. When I asked the store owner about a Burberry trench coat, "How much is it? Is it authentic?" he replied indifferently, "70,000 won. If you want it, take it; if not, don't." Buying a coat that would easily cost over a million won at a department store for 70,000 won would be a bargain, but authenticity was uncertain. Some items displayed nearby had 'Blueberry' instead of 'Burberry,' which made me tense.

Besides secondhand clothing stores, shops targeting young people are also emerging. Stores selling Gundam plastic models or figures for 'Kidults' (Kid + Adult), which were not seen before, have appeared with the Newtro wave. As a result, the age range of visitors to Dongmyo is diversifying from middle-aged to young people. The influx of young generations to traditional markets, once visited mainly by middle-aged people for nostalgia, began after singer G-Dragon visited on MBC's variety show 'Infinite Challenge' in 2013.

Since then, many things have changed, according to local merchants. A lady who has run a supermarket for 20 years said with a smile, "After one broadcast, other channels rushed to film Dongmyo as well. Then, young people noticeably increased in this neighborhood where only elderly people used to come and go." Dongmyo has transformed into a place that embraces generational sensibilities from teenagers to seniors over 70. Now, Dongmyo Market is a space for some to share memories and for others to create new ones.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.