Webtoons Step Out of Smartphones: Korea's First 'Goods Department Store' Opens in Yeonnam-dong
Thirty Production Companies, 500 Works Unite at "Goods Moment"
A Permanent Platform Surpassing the Limitations of Temporary Pop-Ups
Webtoons, once confined to smartphone screens, have stepped into the real world. The webtoon merchandise market, which had previously relied on online shopping malls and pop-up stores, has now secured a new distribution hub in the form of a "permanent department store." This demonstrates that webtoons are evolving beyond simple digital content consumption into a "lifestyle industry" that caters to the tastes of fandoms.
Goods Moment announced on January 12 that it officially opened Korea's first department store specializing in webtoon merchandise, "Goods Moment," in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on January 9. The platform was established through the collaboration of around thirty leading domestic production companies and publishers, including YLAB, Daon Creative, C&C Revolution, and Jaedam Media. With more than 500 participating works, it serves as an "offline hub" that brings together previously scattered webtoon intellectual properties (IP).
Until now, the webtoon merchandise market has mainly consisted of pop-up stores that operated for short periods and then disappeared. Goods Moment offers a sustainable fandom experience through its four-story permanent store.
The choice of Yeonnam-dong, a district popular among foreign tourists and people in their 20s and 30s, reflects a strategic move to develop K-webtoons into global tourism products. CEO Yuk Yeonsik stated, "This is not just a retail space but a venue that declares a new direction for the webtoon industry," emphasizing that it will serve as a hub to extend the lifespan of webtoon IP and drive 'taste-driven consumption' among readers.
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The store layout was meticulously designed with the preferences of the target readership in mind. The first floor, featuring popular action and fantasy genre merchandise and a webtoon bookstore, offers easy access for newcomers. The second floor targets female fans with high purchasing power, focusing on romance and romance fantasy sections. The third floor is dedicated to BL (Boys Love) content for its strong enthusiast base, while the fourth floor serves as a large exhibition space, providing distinct experiences on each level.
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