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Love brings warmth to the world. In love, there is no age, country, or race. Just like the all-embracing love, stanning is similar. When a sudden “starstruck accident” happens, the world becomes a more beautiful place. Stanning gives life a boost.

Here is a special itinerary for K-POP stans, the driving force behind the spread of Hallyu (K-wave) across the world. Seoul, the epicenter of K-POP, and specifically Mapo-gu, is a neighborhood that offers various cultural activities and it is also home to large and famous entertainment companies. The Hongdae area, also known as the street of youth, is consistently vibrant with K-POP music and people enjoying K-POP culture. Why don’t you check out the trendy Hallyu K-POP fan culture in Mapo-gu, the sacred site for stans. Let’s explore the sacred grounds of K-POP stans for an upgrade to your stan life with activities such as “album unboxing (also known as album-kkang)’’ and ‘toploader decor!’

There are a lot of K-POP star merchandise the stans want to have. A variety from albums and video clips, to posters, dolls and plushies, and photocards, activate the stan sentiment. Among them, the photocard is a must-have for stans when going out. Taking a picture of each person holding a photocard of their favorite person while dining is currently the trend.

There are many ways to get a photocard, such as by album purchases, attending fan signing events or participating in lucky draws. But album unboxing is considered a necessary ritual when it comes to K-POP stan life. This album unboxing is a practice where a person buys many albums at once and opening them to get the photocards that are randomly packaged within the K-POP album. 

Recognized as a popular album store by K-POP fans, Nearby Music Yeonnam is also a sacred place for album unboxing. The K-POP star photos covering the walls from the entrance makes the stans’ hearts beat, and the surrounding K-POP star albums within the store gives you the feeling of happiness as if you were in the middle of the sea of K-POP. Serving as an album unboxing sanctuary, Nearby Music Yeonnam is equipped with large tables and tools for convenient album unboxing. You can save time during your travels because you can check inventory in real-time via telephone call or twitter DM.   

Let’s experience the good fortune of securing your desired photocard at Nearby Music Yeonnam, a famous store among K-POP stans and often featured in K-POP stan vlogs. After album unboxing at Nearby Music Yeonnam, the trendy Yeonnam-dong street serves as an extra delight – much like the photocard inside an album. 

• ○Address: 4F, 233, Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

• ○Operation hours:  Every day from 10:00 to 21:00

• ○Phone number: 02-338-9920

• ○Instagram: @nearbymusic_yeonam

Streets of Hongdae, the go-to area for the generation MZ, are always vibrant. Individuals with passion and individuality came together in the streets of Hongdae to enjoy their interests, forming hideouts and creating culture. In the area where people who enjoy culture gathers, Withmuu AK Plaza Hongdae, a place of the stan, by the stan, and for the stan, can be found.

Located on the second floor of AK Plaza right in front of exit no.4 of Hongik Univ. Station, Withmuu AK Plaza Hongdae was established with the aim to create a new trend by connecting the artists and the fans. Withmuu is a must-visit place, if you are a K-POP fan. From albums and light sticks, to photo books and lucky draw events, this place offers fandom culture for K-POP stans from A to Z. Apart from buying star merchandise, stans can indulge in various attractions, like the popular four-cut photo booth, currently trending in Korea, or the sticker maker where you can print out name stickers with star photos. In addition to the Withmuu lounge, a place you can unwrap your purchased products, this venue also hosts various events such as fan signing events and pop-up booths that align with K-POP stars’ album releases and promotional periods. If you want the ultimate experience on Hallyu stan culture, visit Withmuu.

• ○Address: 2F, AK Plaza, 188, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

• ○Operation hours: Every day from 11:00 to 22:00

• ○Phone number: 0507-1343-0429

• ○Homepage: Click here

 It’s difficult to imagine life without mobile phones in today’s world. The mobile phone is a daily necessity for all modern people, 24 hours a day 365 days a year. But it is especially the most important thing for stans. They use mobile phones to book K-POP concert tickets and engage with other stan-mates about stars in online communities. They view photos, listen to music and watch videos of the stars stored in their phones. We would like to introduce a special place where you can decorate and personalize the most important object in your daily life, your mobile phone.

 Nemamdaero Phone Case Hongdae is a place where you can decorate or make mobile phone cases, and is also renowned among stans for customizing toploaders to store photocards. This place gained attention when it appeared in one of Blackpink’s live clips. Nemamdaero offers a diverse range of materials including deco parts, resin, jibbits, and decoden as well as deco kits for toploaders and phone cases. Moreover, you will be able to use as many deco parts as you want.   

Experience a new Hallyu stan culture by customizing your mobile phone and precious photocards that you carry with you every day and by decorating toploaders with your very own customized star photocard. This place is not just popular among stans, but also for couples on dates. Moreover, the place offers a slime experience, making it a space where families can have a good time enjoying this activity together. Let’s have a good time with the unique fun of Hallyu travel at Nemamdaero Phone Case, where everyone can have fun.

• ○Address: 3F, Big Mama Building, 21, Wausan-ro 19-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

• ○Operation hours: Every day from 12:00 to 21:00

• ○Phone number: 02-322-6682

• ○Instagram: @nemamdaero_hongdae

The world of idol goods is endless for stans. It seemed like all they had to buy was the album with music, but as they also want the photo inside the album, they purchase more than one album. They bought a light stick to cheer their favorite K-POP star, but now it’s time to buy plushies. These are cotton ones in 4D, not 2D, and watch the cuteness overload. Stans cannot resist. The SP Factory is a must-visit place for those who want to own a K-POP idol plushie.  

The SP Factory next to Hongdae Playground sells plushie and handmade plushie clothes in various sizes. In particular, the costumes featured on plush dolls characterizing K-POP stars are very popular. The store offers a diverse range of clothes and accessories including casual attire such as hoodies and sportswear, as well as military uniforms and stage costumes that would look great on K-POP star plushies. Many visitors have expressed satisfaction with the plushie clothes at SP Factory, thanks to the modern and sophisticated costumes. Above all, the photo zone is the one thing you should not miss at SP Factory. As there are more than 20 themed photo zones, including schools and cafes, you should dress up your plushie and take some cool photos. You can take pictures in every photo zone. SP Factory also offers coffee drinks and desserts for sale. Put on your star’s coordinator shoes at SP Factory and complete an unforgettable trip with the K-POP stan culture experience in the heart of Hallyu.

• ○Address: 4F, 19-8, 21, Wausan-ro 19-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

• ○Operation hours: Every day from 12:00 to 21:00

• ○Phone number: 070-8098-1785

• ○Tip: Although SP Factory doesn’t sell idol plushies, let’s take one with you if you’ve got one you own already.