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 According to a report by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in March, vinyl’s popularity has been consistently rising over the past seven years, with their sales of the previous year exceeding those of CDs for the first time in 35 years.

Of course, a turntable and a speaker are needed to listen to the incredible sound produced by vinyl, which often requires proper handling and care. Nevertheless, within Seoul, numerous venues offer the chance to immerse yourself in music from days passed. Read on to discover unique locations where even newcomers to vinyl can get a taste of what makes vinyl sound so darn good.

OPCD VINYL 

 OPCD VINYL, located beneath the overpass near exit 1 of Chang-dong Station (subway lines 1 and 4), is open to everyone for free vinyl listening. With the support of the Seoul City and the Dobong-gu District, this location is accessible to all. This particular place has three one-person and one two-person seats and 600 or so vinyls of various genres, including classical music, original soundtracks, rock, and even hip-hop. 

Instructions on how to use a turntable are available in each seat, and a staff member is always there to help anyone unfamiliar with vinyl. Visitors can also bring their own vinyl records and listen to them freely in the cozy little room.

• ﹘︎Address: 71-1, Madeul-ro 11-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul

• ﹘︎Hours:  Weekdays 12:00-20:00 | Weekends 12:00-18:00

💡 In the area?  Ssangridan-gil, one of many variations of “ridan-gil” streets, is close to OPCD VINYL for you to start a quick journey back to the old days.

VINYL & PLASTIC

 Vinyl are a new type of goods that Gen Z and millennials frequently seek. Vinyl of world-famous musicians such as Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, BTS, and Black Pink are high in demand, while some rare vinyl records are sold at higher prices. VINYL & PLASTIC, run by Hyundai Card, is a playground for anyone seeking to listen to and appreciate music or expand their collections.

More than 10,000 vinyl records, including limited editions and hard-to-find items, are sold at VINYL & PLASTIC, featured on the Tiny Desk Concert of BTS aired on National Public Radio. A listening room known as "Vinyl 200Picks" provides a space to enjoy the music of your choice, including cassette tapes that evoke a sense of nostalgia.

• ﹘︎Address: 248, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

• ﹘︎Hours: Tue – Sat 12:00-21:00, Sun/Public Holidays: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM 
               *Closed Mondays, Chuseok/Lunar New Year holidays

💡 In the area?  VINYL & PLASTIC is located in Itaewon, widely known for its multi-cultural vibes. Be sure to stop by Yongsan Family Park, which exudes a unique atmosphere created by red-brick buildings, or Itaewon Books, the oldest second-hand bookstore in town.

Sinwol Music Library 

Reading books and listening to music are common in that both activities boost positive emotions and develop sensibility. There is a place for reading paper books instead of e-books and listening to vinyl records instead of digital audio for the "analog" experience.

Sinwol Music Library in Seoul is an exclusive library for reading books and listening to music all in one place. The library specializing in music has thousands of vinyl records and CDs, in addition to 1,800 music-related books. The records of jazz, pop, and classical music can be played with a turntable arranged in the reference room. All kinds of music media are also available, including CDs, DVDs, and more. Avid music lovers can also play an electronic piano in the reference room.

• ﹘︎Address: 34, Omok-ro 5-gil, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul

• ﹘︎Hours: Weekdays 09:00-22:00 | Weekends 09:00-18:00 * Closed on Mondays

• ﹘︎Website: https://lib.yangcheon.or.kr/libsin/             

💡 In the area?  Yangcheon-gu, where Sinwol Music Library is located, is home to West Seoul Lake Park and Yeonui Eco Park, offering eco-friendly places for relaxation or picnics.

Rheehall Music Gallery 

Located in the in Seongbuk-gu District of Seoul, Rheehall Music Gallery provides a one-of-a-kind music experience that enables gallery-goers to take full advantage of the music experience. 

A large Beatles poster near the entrance and a statue of a man playing a violin atop the building undoubtedly capture the attention of passers-by. Over 100,000 vinyl records of pop, jazz, and classical music, alongside gigantic gallery speakers offer quite a sight to behold. 
An admission fee of 10,000 won includes a bottle of Evian mineral water and a notepad to request music. Depending on the chosen song, they switch the speakers and offer a tailored experience with a tube amplifier. The best spot to listen to the music is supposedly the vertex point, forming a triangle with speakers on both sides.

• ﹘︎Address: 9, Seongbuk-ro 31-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 

• ﹘︎Hours: Daily 11:30-20:50 *Closed Mondays

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