Took the subway to Dongdaemun in the morning for some shopping. Went to Hello APM! Heard it turns into a wholesale area in the night (10pm to 4am?). Remember to haggle the prices when you are there. I am not sure the prices they quote are the same as the prices they quote to locals. Anyway, the average price range I was quoted was 40,000won ~ 50,000won? Which is rather pricey imo, because I can get something similar in H&M for the same price? So we usually haggle the price to about 30,000won. We were there early so most of the shop owners were more willing to give us discounts. Asians tend to give in to the first customer because if they fail the first business, they believe it brings bad luck for the rest of the day? Yup, something like that.
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We had breakfast there as well. I'd advice having breakfast before going there because we had a hard time looking for a restaurant to dine in. We were starving and finally found a place to eat at the top level of Hello APM.
After shopping around, we took the train to Gwanghwamun. I am not sure what things you can do there but I always go there for stationeries. If you watch Running Man, you'll know there is a store called KYOBO, which sells books and stationeries. My korean teacher actually recommended me to go there for stationeries because she knows I love them. It's a huge store; I spent hours in there the first time I went (which was last year). Unfortunately, we were all kinda tired that day so no photos were taken when we were there.
KYOBO also sells instax cameras and the films. If you have a vintage polaroid camera, this is the place to go too! They sell polaroid600 films at 35,000won per pack (8 shots). Not the original film - because as we all know, the production has stopped - but the PX film! (click here if you don't know what it is) The price is pretty steep, yes, but I used to buy those expired polaroid 600 films at about the same price too. So why not?
Also, after much debate, my sister and I decided to go to Olympic Park to see if there are any leftover tickets from the last Big Show, while my mom and Charmaine heads to Myeongdong for some more shopping. I was really against the idea of attending another Big Show because it means my mom and younger sister will be alone, with not the slightest knowledge of korean. Besides, I haven't had enough of shopping. But it was my sister's 21st birthday that day and it would be the best present for her. So I went with her in the end. Which was arguably a good decision made.
So we travelled to the venue, queued at Happy Box again, and managed to get 2 tickets for the standing pit! We were VERY late after queuing for so long. Almost every ticket holders for the standing pits had already entered. We went to deposit our bags at the "lockers" then quickly entered the stadium.
People who are going to be at the standing pits are generally not encouraged to bring their bags in. So they have a counter where you can deposit your belongings. You basically write down your name, contact number and show them your ticket (can't really remember) and give them your belongings. The staff will put them in a huge translucent bag and write a number at the back of your ticket. So keep it safe even after you enter the stadium!! If not you won't be able to collect your stuff.
Can't stand how wordy this post is so I added a random picture from my instagram (glitterbones!) lol
When we were at the bag check area, the staff were telling us to run because we were really out of time. Went in and when we were going down the stairs, we saw Cheoljun from Hitech. I was so shocked I just stared at him, and he looked back, then we quickly walked away.
After we got into our standing pit, we weren't allowed to go out even though there was still about 30mins to the show. Decided to stay at the back of the pit because it was chaotic at the front. People fainted, and were squeezing even before the show started. We were surrounded by japanese btw.
Saw Heeyun and Eunyoung(ah, I can't remember if it was Eunyoung I saw) before the show started. I love the dancers so I was really happy :3 Then what happened next TOTALLY surprised me. A group of guys were escorted to their seats. From the look of it, you know they are not just important people. They were very important people, and some looked like celebrities. "That looks like Lee Hyuk Soo," my sister whispered. I told her it can't be because Lee Hyuk Soo's hair is black, and the guy she was referring to has brown hair. Well, well, well. I was so wrong. As the group walked down the stairs, THERE HE WAS. LEE HYUK SOO, THE GUY WITH BROWN HAIR. With other guys, whom I believe, are people from Nuthang (click if you don't know who they are).
My sister and I had such a hard time containing our happiness. He was so good looking, he must be the most gorgeous person I have ever seen in real life. Lee Hyuk Soo is one person I admire a lot, but have never dreamt of seeing him in real. (oh but I guess I can see him for the second time after just 3 weeks because he is attending Singapore's Mens Fashion Week!) (≧◡≦) I spent so much time just staring at his flawlessness before the concert started. I thought I couldn't get any luckier when.....
Se7en walked past us. Yes, se7en! But I've seen him quite a few times so it didn't get me that excited. After all that, the concert started. I was impressed, no doubt. And so proud. :")
Was really tired after the concert, so we took a cab back to hotel again. Met a very funny cab driver who said I speak good korean. Hehehe. Talked about kpop, and just korea in general. He even wanted to add my sister and I on facebook. LOL.
Original plan was to have dinner at Yeolbong after we return from the concert but it was too late. So we had dinner at a 24-hour restaurant nearby.
Day 4 Incheon - Singapore
Walked around the neighbourhood before the international taxi driver from the first day came to pick us up.
That marked the end of my short trip in Seoul! Here's the video I mentioned in the other post:
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