[2025 Seoul Shopping mall] Travel Guide for AK PLAZA Hongdae (Updated Oct)

#AugustBestPlaces2025 Animate is located on the 5th floor of AK Plaza in Hongdae. Not only is it incredibly conveniently located right off the Hongdae entrance, it's also a fantastic place to browse. The moment you walk in, you're greeted by a sea of ​​blue and white counters, the signature Animate color scheme, filled with all sorts of anime-related merchandise. The atmosphere feels like Animate from Japan has been ported straight to Seoul, but the space is spacious and easy to browse. You can also find unexpected gems here, often sold out in Tokyo. We even stumbled upon an Attack on Titan photo printer, which was quite unique. It required entering the photo's serial number before printing, which took some research before it finally worked. For those who love anime, manga, and gaming merchandise, this is a must-do for you when you're in Seoul! 📍animate KOREA Hongdae Main Store Address: 5th Floor, AKMall, 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea Hours: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM 🚇Hongik University Station #SeoulKorea #Must-SeeSeoul #animate #Seoul

Beat the summer heat with a cool indoor date at the Digimon Adventure 25th Anniversary Exhibition. --- 🔍 Three-line Summary ✔ Digimon Adventure 25th Anniversary Exhibition ✔ Nostalgic attractions like Digivices and iconic scene video displays ✔ Exhibition size is a bit small, but fans' hearts were racing --- 📍 Basic Information Item Details Exhibition Name Digimon Adventure 25th Anniversary Exhibition Location 4th Floor, AK Plaza, 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul Duration 2025.05.01 ~ 2025.08.10 Operating Hours 11:00 ~ 20:00 Admission Fee 22,000 KRW Reservation On-site and online (advance booking recommended during peak hours) --- Detailed Review Relive the days of holding a Digivice and shouting "WarGreymon!" from your childhood! I visited the Digimon Adventure 25th Anniversary Exhibition. ✔ Exhibition Highlights Entrance greeted by the chosen children and Digimon Digimon Chronicle, Evolution Tree, Digivice development process Life-sized 1:1 Agumon photo zone (※ Sadly, no 1:1 WarGreymon 🥲) Video Hall: Immersive viewing of iconic scenes (no photography allowed) Digimon TMI and character concept art displays Photo zones like a phone booth, poop zone, and Omnimon photo zone Merchandise Zone: Large figures & various Digimon goods for sale (※ Popular items sell out quickly) ✔ Ticket Tip Random 8 designs of adorable partner Digimon tickets! Perfect for collectors. ✔ Viewing Tips Peak hours: Weekend afternoons, holidays (※ Weekday mornings recommended) No remote queueing via CatchTable; opt for on-site waiting or online booking Plenty of photo zones, but solo visitors might need help taking pictures 😭 ✔ Personal Downsides Exhibition size feels a bit small for the admission fee. While the content is slightly lacking, nostalgia makes it worthwhile. --- 🎯 One-line Review ✔ "A time to reconnect with your childhood self, fully recharged fan heart!" --- 📌 Overall Summary ✔ A special nostalgic space for Digimon fans ✔ Exhibition size is limited, but tickets & merchandise are worth collecting ✔ Weekday visits recommended; weekends can be crowded ✔ Early visits essential for popular merchandise ---

✈️24/April trip to Korea A highly recommended fashion building for quick shopping in Hongdae! 【AK PLAZA Hongdae】☺️🤍 It opened in 2018 and was once called AK&, but I wonder if AK PLAZA is now its official name? 🤔💭 The stores inside change every now and then, but every time you come, there are new and trendy stores, so it's fun to go and see them and discover something new☺️🤍 1st to 5th floors are AK PLAZA, which has tenants🏢 6th to 16th floors are Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae🏨 17th floor is the cafe run by musinsa, 【musinsa terrace】☕️☺️ The main stores when I went to see them this spring were like this🙂🤍 💛1st floor ✔︎ARTBOX (miscellaneous goods) ✔︎CHICOR (cosmetics) ✔︎knotted (donuts) 💛2nd floor ✔︎BUTTER (miscellaneous goods)✔︎BEOK (miscellaneous goods)✔︎Mottenkoyangi (miscellaneous goods) ✔︎WITHmuu (idol goods)✔︎AVANDRESS (Korean brand) 💛3rd floor ✔︎MUJI✔︎Tteokbokki Farm (famous store in Suwon!) 💛4th floor ✔︎SPAO First of all, the impression is that there are a lot of miscellaneous goods stores If you like stationery and cards with Hangul characters I highly recommend it! 🥹🇰🇷 Especially BEOK on the 2nd floor is cute and spacious, so I could stay there forever!!🥹 Also, if you like K-pop idols, WITHmuu is a must👏 There was a huge selection of official goods!! ! I didn't have time to go to Tteokbokki Farm or Mushinsa Terrace, so next time I'll stop by for a meal and a cafe too 🥲 You can have a lot of fun just here, so it's recommended for those times when you don't have time to go around Hongdae! 🙆♀️🤍 🏢AK PLAZA Hongdae 📍190-1 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul 🚇Right next to Exit 4 and 5 of Hongdae Station on the Airport Railroad ⏰ Mon-Fri 11:00-22:00 Sat, Sun, and Holidays 10:30-22:00 #KoreaInformation#TravelInformation#HongdaeShopping #HongdaeEntrance #KoreaShopping2024

#IndoorDateCourse Buttershop Hongdae AK store is famous for its unique props and interior props, attracting the attention of young people. When you enter the store, cute props are neatly displayed, making it visually very enjoyable. Various themed products are available, so you can purchase everything from small interior props to daily necessities at once. In particular, the reasonable prices are attractive, making it cost-effective. The staff also kindly serve customers, and the overall atmosphere of the store is comfortable and pleasant. It is a place where you can feel small pleasures while shopping, and it is worth visiting at least once when you come to Hongdae. 📍Buttershop, 2nd floor, Aekyung Tower, 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

If you like KPOP, you must go there! ️I highly recommend it⭐️ AK Plaza Hongdae is right in front of Hongdae Station✨ AK Plaza Hongdae stands right in front of Exit 5 of Subway Line 2 There are lots of cute Korean products! Floors 1 to 4 have shops selling fashion, cosmetics, miscellaneous goods, etc., and the 5th floor is a restaurant and cafe floor🍰 Floors 6 to 16 are a hotel. This time I will introduce the 2nd floor✨ On the 2nd floor in the photo, there is a shop called 위드뮤 (WITHMUU) where you can buy official goods such as Korean idol light sticks! There is a wide variety of trading card cases and stuffed toys that can only be purchased in Korea, and CDs signed by idols are also on display~~! I wanted a light stick, so I was glad I was able to buy one🥹⭐️It was a little cheaper than buying it online! Access: Subway Line 2, Airport Railroad, Gyeongui-Jungang Line 1 minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 5 Opening hours: Weekdays 11:00-22:00 Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 10:30-22:00 #seventeen #bts#treasure#nct #astro #itzy #ive #kpopcafe #AKPlazaHongdae #kpop #KoreanIdol #KoreaTrip #KoreaOnly #KoreaInfo

Good place to take your new nice profile photo during your Korea trip, and show your friend the cityscapes of Seoul city! You can also spot Namsan Tower from afar! 📍Musinsa Terrace 17 F, AK& Mall in Hongdae 🚇 Getting There: Take AREX, Seoul Subway Line 2 or Gyeongui-Jungang Line to Hongik University Station, get off at Exit 4. 🕐 Opening Hours: 11am - 9pm ⚠️ TIPS • Free admission but the staff will ask you to register member’s account online (no fee) at the counter. • Grab a drink at the cafe, take a sip of your coffee or tea while enjoying the breathtaking view of Seoul. #seoul #hongdae #rooftop #seoulview

🤍FlowerbyNaked 🤍Address: 4th floor, AK&Hongdae branch, 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 🤍Key points: -Media art exhibition located in Aekyung Building near Exit 5 of Hongik University Station -A great exhibition for an indoor date in Hongdae -It's nicely decorated, so there are many photo zones here and there -Worth the admission fee! #WinterTravel #IndoorDate #It'sTheBest

As a Gen Z traveler, Seoul is basically my dream playground—there’s culture, amazing food, K-dramas, and plenty of Instagrammable moments. Here’s how my days went: 1. Sejong Theatre 🎭 My trip started on a high at Sejong Theatre, where I watched the musical Phantom. The performance was absolutely stunning—the set, the music, the voices. For a couple of hours, I was so absorbed I didn’t even check my phone (which, let’s be honest, says a lot for a Gen Z like me). It felt like stepping into a different world, and I left with goosebumps. Address – 175 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea 2. Woo Lae Oak 🍜 I was in line for two hours at Woo Lae Oak, but it was worth every minute. Their famous Pyeongyang naengmyeon is subtle, refreshing, and unlike any noodle dish I’ve had before. The icy broth with chewy noodles feels simple at first, but the depth of flavor really grows on you. It’s authentic, comforting, and a total Seoul experience. Address – 62-29 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea 3. DMC Square 🎥 Visiting DMC Square gave me a peek into Korea’s cutting-edge media world. It’s sleek, futuristic, and buzzing with energy. While there, I also recommend the MBC Studio Tour—walking through real sets and seeing where K-dramas come to life was such a cool experience. As someone who grew up with K-dramas in the background, it felt surreal to stand where the magic actually happens. Address – 366 Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea 4. AK Plaza, Hongdae 🛍️ To wrap things up, I spent time at AK Plaza in Hongdae. It’s basically Gen Z heaven: trendy shopping, cute cafés, food options everywhere, and plenty of aesthetic corners perfect for Instagram shots. The vibe is youthful, fun, and endlessly entertaining—exactly what I wanted before heading home. Address – 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea #mytraveldiary

■ Store ☞ CINNAMOROLL SWEET CAFE 　　　　Cinnamoroll Sweet Cafe ■ Address ☞ 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 　　　　AK Plaza, Hongdae 2nd Floor ■ Nearest Station ☞ Line 2, Airport Line, Hongdae Entrance Station Exit 5 ■ Atmosphere ☞ Absolutely adorable ❤︎ ■ Service Time ☞ Around 5 minutes. ■ Customer Service ☞ Polite ■ Environment ☞ Average ■ Menu ☞ Photos are uploaded for reference. ■ Business Hours Monday to Friday 11:00 AM ~ 10:00 PM (Last order at 9:00 PM) Saturday and Sunday 10:30 AM ~ 10:00 PM (Last order at 9:00 PM) ■ Facilities Wall murals and photo opportunities Merchandise for sale Dining available Some items available for takeout Restrooms Reservation priority ■ Nearby Close to the station Close to bus stops Cafes Food street Shopping Department stores Parks Tourist attractions Hotels I visited the Cinnamon Cafe located in AK Plaza ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ. I heard that reservations are necessary during busy times, but since it was a weekday, I was able to enter smoothly without a reservation♪ Additionally, adorable Cinnamoroll characters greeted me near the entrance, and upon entering the cafe, I was welcomed by a sweet aroma ❤︎. From drinks to food, everything was infused with Cinnamoroll's charm, providing both cuteness and deliciousness 👍. The drink sizes were generous, and the tables were spaced out, allowing for a relaxed experience☆ Even families with babies could enter without any issues. The customer base was quite diverse. ※ Please note that each person is required to order at least one item.

🎨 Webtoon-Style AI Caricature 캐리커처 💸 7,000 KRW (Card or Apple Pay only) Came out of Hongdae Station Exit 4, saw AK& Hongdae, and went up to the 4th floor just to check out capsule toys… but right by the escalator, two bright green machines totally caught my eye! Turns out they’re AI photo booths that turn you into a K-Webtoon character 👱🏻♀️. You pick one of three artists, each with three different styles, snap a pic, and boom—you’re the main character of a Korean comic. Bonus: you can download and save the images after! #korea #seoul #webtoon #character #caricature #웹툰캐리커치 #웹툰

#IndoorDate Address: 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul AK PLAZA Hongdae 5th floor Atmosphere/Facilities: Not only goods but also many other things to enjoy Key Points: The largest anime goods shop in Korea Average price per person: 10,000 won Rating: 4.0 ✅ Operating hours 11:00 - 21:40 Open year-round ✅ Notes It's right outside exit 4 of Hongik University Station. It's located on the 5th floor of AK Plaza. ✅ Overall They sell various anime goods and have pop-ups. There are also many clothing stores, restaurants, and cafes, so it's a great place to wander around in the hot summer like these days!

Dancomma Pop-up Store 📍188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul ✔️A pop-up store that sells a variety of goods, including popular genres such as One Piece, Crayon Shin-chan, Attamamma, Detective Conan, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Jujutsu Kaisen, My Favorite Child, and Tong Tong Tong Sahur! ✔️The event items change every day, so we recommend checking the event items and visiting. ✔️There are also many items on sale for 50% off. Buy them now!! #Domestic travel #Goods shop #Pop-up store

Digimon Adventure Exhibition 📍188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul ✔️Digimon Adventure Exhibition & Pop-up Store in Hongdae~ ✔️Anyone born in the 90s can time-slip back to their childhood. There are a lot of cute goods, but many of them are already sold out, so if you want something, I recommend coming early. ✔️After walking around the exhibition hall, you can take a picture with a Korean-only frame! #Domestic travel #Pop-up store #ak plaza hongdae

💜 Online tickets on my dates were sold out, so I took a chance to walk-in, and glad that I did! Held at the top floor of AK Plaza, the exhibit was a deep-dive into the colourful, inspiring world of Hobi: dancer, rapper, fashion king, and all-around sunshine. The exhibition was split into five zones, each one showing off a different side of J-Hope’s journey. Overall, it was interactive, colourful, creatively presented, with lots of photo zones. End off by penning your well wishes to Hobi. Packed with ARMY from all over the world, each entry at 35,000 won comes with 2 photo cards, and exhibition merch were also available for sale. The exhibition has just ended on 22 Jun 2025, and there are no updates if this will be touring. Guess the closing question is: “And What” is next for BTS? #summervacay #seoul #bts #hongdae

📍188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul ✔️I visited the Sakamoto Days pop-up store, inspired by the fun I had reading the series. ✔️The Sakamoto shop and checkout counter are impressively designed, allowing visitors to experience the feeling of actually making a purchase and even capture realistic photos of the scenes. ✔️The interior displays are neat, and the variety of goods available are both diverse and beautifully crafted, making it a great place to browse.

Do you like Hiroaka? I went to the My Hero Academia UA exhibition at Hongdae AK Plaza this time. Wow Actually, I didn't have high expectations before going, but I regretted not going because it was so well done. Romgok I was able to see famous scenes from each season, and the background music, lines, and everything was perfect, without anything missing. That Japchae..⭐️ There are places where you can't take pictures, so be careful in those places. I enjoyed the places where you can take pictures;) I wanted to buy goods like t-shirts and towels, but many of them were sold out. If you have a favorite character, I recommend going early. There is also a place where you can take a life shot with the character at the place where you buy goods. Since you don't have much time to choose a picture, you have to choose quickly and finish;-; That's why I took one picture without me, and only the character.ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Anyway, it was an enjoyable exhibition until the end. You should definitely go there too-! 📍Hongdae AK Plaza 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul ・Opening hours: 10:30-22:00 ・Nearby station: 2 min walk from Hongik Univ. Entrance Station #SeoulTravel #Hongdae #HongdaeAK #PlacesToVisitInHongdae

#HawaiiFlightEvent 🖼️ The charm of Animate Hongdae - Animate, located on the 5th floor of Hongdae AK&Mall, is a mecca for Japanese subculture goods, where you can find everything from comics, light novels, figures, to J-POP albums. The spacious store and various products will make your nerd heart race! (Tip: Operating hours 11:00-21:00, may be shortened due to COVID-19 ⏰) 📍 Location: 5th floor of AK&Hongdae, 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 📸 Life shot point - Gorgeous goods display and anime poster background! (Tip: Poster wall at the escalator entrance 📷) 🛒 Things to enjoy - BanG Dream/Bungou Stray Dogs goods (₩5,000$50,000), Japanese original comics (₩10,000~$20,000), nearby Ichiban Kuji gacha experience. (Tip: Check out the limited edition specials ⏰) ✨ Ignite your fandom passion at Animate Hongdae!

#HawaiiFlightEvent ⚓ The charm of Play One Piece - Play One Piece, located on the 5th floor of Hongdae AK&Mall, is the only official One Piece goods shop in Korea. If you're a fan of Luffy and Zoro, you must visit! It's a paradise of One Piece goods, from figures to key rings. (Tip: Operating hours: 11:00-22:00, Reservations recommended on weekends ⏰) 📍 Location: 5th floor of AK&Hongdae, 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 📸 Photo zone - Take a picture with the Luffy figure and pirate ship display as the background! (Tip: Use the photo booth at the store entrance 📷) 🛍️ Things to enjoy - One Piece figures (₩20,000 $100,000), limited edition posters (₩5,000~$15,000), and a visit to the nearby Mofun Cafe. (Tip: New goods sell out quickly, so visit early ⏰) ✨ Make your One Piece fan's dream come true at Play One Piece!

#HawaiiFlightEvent 📖 The charm of Booksae Tongmunko - Booksae Tongmunko, located near Hongik University Station, is a mecca for book lovers with its cozy atmosphere and curation unique to independent bookstores. From literature, art, and travel books to vintage magazines, a space full of MZ sensibility! (Tip: Free admission, visit on a weekday afternoon to take it easy ⏰) 📍 Location: 3rd floor of AK & Hongdae, 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 📸 The best photo spot - Take a picture with vintage lighting between the bookshelves and a pile of books as the background! (Tip: Use the window seat to make the most of natural light 📷) ☕ Things to enjoy - Reading books, Americano at the cafe in the bookstore (₩4,000~$6,000), shopping for goods (postcards ₩1,000~$3,000). (Tip: Make sure to get the limited edition bookmark 🎁)

#SeoulTravel I visited Coffee Bean Hongik Univ. Entrance Station Exit 8 branch, which is easily accessible and located right in front of Hongik Univ. Entrance Station. It has floors 2 to 4, and there are many seats, so there are many customers. I recommend Coffee Bean, which has delicious coffee👍 The seasonal menu, Seolhyang Strawberry Latte, is delicious with just the right amount of sweetness and lots of strawberries, so I recommend trying it. 📍7, Yanghwa-ro 18an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul ✔️Daily 09:00-22:00 ✔️02-338-9463

#AustraliaFlightEvent DetailedLocation: 190-1 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul This is the AK Plaza Hongdae branch, which is recommended as a place to visit in Hongdae. There are many and diverse stores inside, and there are many cute and special character goods, so it was nice to look around.

My friend lives alone in Seoul, so I went to Seoul to see my friend for the first time in a while ㅠㅠ I'm a senior in high school now, so I thought it was my last time and did everything I wanted to do. On the first day, I went to the National Exhibition without any problems. As a local, I've only been to the gacha shop in Seomyeon (I'm not even in my 50s at the moment) when it comes to gacha, so it was a whole new world. I regret not having time to go to the gacha shop in Japan, but I was able to shake off my regret at the National Exhibition. ㅋ The next day, I just walked around Seongsu Street to save money. I went to New New, but the keychains were only 2,000 won? 3,000 won? and there were a lot of other accessories, so it was nice. ㅎㅎ We also did an escape room in the evening, and since it was my first escape room in my life, I was really excited. ㅎㅎ But there was a mission where you have to go into a closet and grab the door, and as soon as I grabbed the door, I heard a girl humming a song, so my friend and I almost fainted... I successfully escaped and went to see the Black Nuns, which I had reserved for a late-night movie, but if the escape room theme had been ghosts, I might not have been able to go home after watching the whole movie… .ㅋ Anyway, I thought I could study more passionately after doing everything I wanted to do!!! But now that a month has passed, the taste of knowing is scary ㅠㅠ I’ve become a girlfriend (a person crazy about traveling) who is practicing it. Please save me #SeoulTravel

#IndoorDate Hello, today I visited the Biok pop-up store operating in Hongdae AK Plaza Mall! Biok is a prop shop in Hongdae with a unique sensibility, and this pop-up store was my first time visiting! I was surprised by the number of products they had even though it was a pop-up 🍀 And I liked the feeling of the vintage DPs that seemed to be casually placed here and there as focal points! It seems like a pop-up you should definitely visit when you visit AK Mall! Address: 2nd floor, 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

#IndoorDate Hello! Today, I visited Butter, a prop shop that I recommend as a date course! Butter carries a lot of character goods in addition to design stationery goods! It has such a cute and cozy sensibility, so it seems like a great place to stop by with your boyfriend, buy couple items, and have a little fun! The dolls are so cute, and the store interior is great for taking pictures, so I recommend it 🥞 Address: 3rd floor, 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

#IndoorDate Hello! Today, I visited Animate in Hongdae AK Plaza, which is full of various goods! If you like animation, it's a place that would be fun to visit and look around! My boyfriend and I also like animation, so we had fun enjoying it! It's also full of comics and guidebooks, so it would be fun to visit once for a unique date🎶 Address: 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

#JapanFlightEvent #2024WishEvent #DomesticTravel #SeoulTravel #EmotionalCafe #FebruaryTravelSupportEvent It's a pudding shop in AK Plaza in Hongdae~ I always saw it and passed by, but I stopped by because I was so hungry after walking around Hongdae a lot, and I was so surprised because it was so delicious✌️ I was so embarrassed that I even ate the last bit with a bowl, but it's a secret... 😁 -Caramel Custard Pudding 5,500 won -Chocolate Pudding 5,500 won -Blue Soda 6,000 won -Melon Soda 6,000 won

#JapanFlightEvent #HongdaeTravel #HongdaeAK #HongdaeGoodsShop #HongdaeAnimate #Animate #2024WishEvent #FebruaryTravelSupportEvent #SeoulTravel Just as there are Animates all over Japan, there are also big Animates in Korea! Of course, the Animate in Ikebukuro, Japan, uses an entire building, but the one in Hongdae has a lot of goods inside. There are a lot of people on weekends, and there is a One Piece shop on the other side of Animate, so stop by~

#JapanFlightEvent #FebruaryTravelSupportEvent #SeoulTravel Introducing Goemon, located right in front of Hongdae AK Plaza Animate~ After going around all the goods shops in Hongdae, I stopped by Animate for the last time because I was so hungry, but the visual was just like Japanese omelet rice, so I visited right away! My brother and I ordered the most popular menu at this store, the soufflé omelette mentaiko risotto😊 Mentaiko means salted pollack roe~ The soufflé omelette risotto with mentaiko must be delicious, right?!! It was so soft and delicious after one bite😚 I'm willing to visit😝😝

#favouriteitinerary At Bakudanyaki, you can expect a vibrant atmosphere that caters to both locals and tourists. The menu often includes various types of takoyaki with different toppings and sauces, along with options for other Japanese-inspired dishes and snacks. The presentation is typically colorful and appetizing, embodying the lively spirit of Japanese street food culture. Bakudanyaki 📍Address:190-1 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea 🕰️Business Hours: 11am - 10:00pm 💰Average Price per Person: 1- 10,000won #travel #couplestrip #seoul #seoultrip