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gwangjang market

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Popular character Hirono finds a permanent home with a themed store in Gwangjang Market

Pop Mart has opened a permanent Hirono themed store at Seoul’s Gwangjang Market, its fourth worldwide and the first standalone Pop Mart character store in Korea. The new shop offers Hirono figures, apparel, home decor and exclusive opening events.

2026.6.5

Two stills from CCTV footage show a Gwangjang Market restaurant employee rummaging through a trash bin, allegedly to find discarded ice, left, then washing it with a rubber hose. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Gwangjang Market restaurant owner denies claim that employees regularly reuse ice from trash

The owner of a restaurant in central Seoul’s Gwangjang Market has denied the claim that they make their employees reportedly reuse discarded ice.

2026.5.2

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A screen capture from the YouTube channel Khaing shows the YouTuber purchasing a bottle of water for 2,000 won ($1.35). [SCREEN CAPTURE/JOONGANG ILBO]

Gwangjang stall in YouTuber water controversy handed 3-day suspension

A street stall at Gwangjang Market in central Seoul has been handed a business suspension after drawing criticism for selling bottled water to a customer for 2,000 won ($1.35).

2026.4.25

Myanmar-born YouTuber Khaing, right, and her Russian friend at the Gwnagjang Market in central Seoul [SCREEN CAPTURE]

2,000 won for bottled water? Gwangjang Market food stalls again accused of price gouging.

Food stalls at Gwangjang Market, a popular traditional market among tourists in Seoul, were found to have been charging double for bottled water, officials said Tuesday.

2026.4.22

Shoppers look at blankets at Gwangjang Market in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Dec. 22. [KWAK JOO-YOUNG]

Blanket sales boom in Gwangjang Market, but cash payments have tax service losing sleep

Bedding shops in Gwangjang Market have recently become a tourist hot spot, with blankets flying off the shelves as foreign tourists snatch them up, but shop owners are reportedly dodging taxes by pushing for cash transactions.

2025.12.26

Street stall vendors at Gwangjang Market in Jongno District, central Seoul, flip jeon (savory pancakes) in this file photo from April 27, 2022. [YONHAP]

Gov't steps in as Gwangjang Market controversy continues

Gwangjang Market, a century-old labyrinth comprising food and souvenir stalls, faces the most scrutiny it has in years after tourists and locals accused some vendors of overcharging them and cutting corners regarding quality and quantity.

2025.12.7

The picture shows Gwangjang Market in central Seoul. [JOONGANG ILBO]

Fixed-store operators at Gwangjang Market to sue stall vendors amid overcharging controversy

Merchants operating fixed storefronts in Gwangjang Market, central Seoul, plan to sue the vendors operating stalls in the adjacent traditional market zone, arguing that a recent overcharging controversy drove customers away.

2025.11.24

A vendor at Gwangjang Market says the content creator who uploaded a YouTube video that showed alleged price-gouging in the market was 'cruel' in an interview on MBC's morning show that aired on Nov. 10. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

'A few shops cause problems': Gwangjang Market vendors respond to overcharging claims

Some vendors at Seoul’s Gwangjang Market pushed back on Monday against accusations of overcharging customers after a viral YouTube video reignited debate over unfair pricing, saying online creators had exaggerated the issue and hurt business.

2025.11.12

The image shows a screenshot from a YouTube video shared by a YouTuber known as ″weird sweets shop.″ [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Gwangjang Market vendor suspended after allegedly scamming YouTuber

A street vendor at Gwangjang Market in central Seoul received a 10-day business suspension following public backlash over alleged price gouging, the Gwangjang Market merchants association said on Tuesday.

2025.11.11

A stall owner at Gwangjang Market in central Seoul, makes mung bean pancakes while wearing a black hat and a t-shirt from K-fashion label Matin Kim. [HAGO HOUSE]

New meets old as name brands embrace, adapt to traditional Gwangjang Market

Founded more than 120 years ago, Gwangjang Market — Korea’s first permanent marketplace — is transforming into a new hub for K-fashion.

2025.10.6