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wants to eat something at fmd_goodThe Pickle Barrel
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Vintage 90s manhwachek/Kpop stores in Seoul?
Just some quick context! I was born in 1979, but in 1984 my family moved over the USA for business reasons, and I have been raised as a Korean American ever since. We were too poor to visit k… Hi all,
Just some quick context! I was born in 1979, but in 1984 my family moved over the USA for business reasons, and I have been raised as a Korean American ever since. We were too poor to visit korea often, so aside from a very short emergency family trip in 1992, and one 3 day stay in 2014, I have not yet really spent time in Seoul.
While I was growing up here in California, my parents encouraged me to assimilate and learn english, so I forgot what little Korean I spoke very quickly; but my parents would try to help me retain some of it by buying me manhwa comic books from LA koreatown's korean bookstores.
I'm finally able to visit Seoul with my wife now and will be there in July! I have two questions:
1) Growing up in the early 90s, my parents regularly would buy me these compilation manhwachecks - they were about 2-3 inches thick, and had about 10-15 assorted comic stories in there, which were told in slices and would continue every month; and as they concluded, a new story / comic would come in and take that slot, etc. Does anyone know what these are called in korean, and know if there are any used bookstores in Seoul where I may be able to find some collectible/vintage issues from the early 90s?
2) Similarly to #1, I'm looking for used bookstores that might have some of my favorite comics I read as a kid - particularly, kkuhbungi by gil chang duk, dooly, and the dragonball series in korean/hangul. There's another one I forget but was popular - an egg shaped robot (with glasses iirc)/computer friend and a little boy duo. Also some mid-late 1990s CDs like seotaiji, roora, r.ef, solid, would be amazing.
These comics have a lot of meaning to me, as when I was growing up in the US and feeling unwanted/out of place, missing my Korea home and friends; these comics brought me a lot of comfort. Any recs will be amazing, thank you! I will be staying in Gangnam, fwiw.
yeah those thick compilations were usually called "oldeoni" or just "manhwa magajin" like the other poster said. the egg robot with glasses is def "ttal-ttal-i" from a series called "ttal-ttal-i wa kkoma" - that was a popular one in the early 90s. for actual physical copies, don't bother with insadong or the touristy book streets, they're overpriced and mostly have newer stuff. try the "seoul folk flea market" in sinseol-dong on weekends, there's a couple old dudes there with boxes of 90s manhwa they sell for like 1,000 won each. also check "kyobo bookstore" in gangnam itself - their used section in the basement sometimes has random vintage cds and comics mixed in with the new stuff, just gotta dig through the bins. for seotaiji especially, he's so mainstream you'll find his cds at any "record market" in hongdae but r.ef and solid might be tougher - i saw a solid cd at "vinyl and plastic" once but it was like 30,000 won which is steep.
honestly your post hit me right in the feels. im a bit younger (born 88) but i grew up on those same compilation manhwacheck too. theyre usually called "oldeoni" or just "manhwa magajin" but the thick monthly compilations were often branded as "bombom" or "win" or "champ" - those were the big ones for 90s kids. issue is theyre pretty rare now since they were printed on cheap paper and most got thrown out or recycled.
for finding them, forget the tourist spots. go to heukseok-dong near chung-ang univ, theres a stretch of used bookstores called "heukseok book street" that specializes in old manhwa and magazines. also jongno has a few basements near the old seoul bookstores but you gotta dig. the egg robot with glasses sounds like "dooly" not the dinosaur but maybe "ttal-ttal-i" or "mashimaro"? actually wait the egg robot friend might be "kong-kong" from a series called "kong-kong and friends" or something similar.
for music, vinyl and cd shops in hongdae like "vinyl and plastic" or "seoul record" in myeongdong sometimes have 90s kpop bins. seotaiji is everywhere but r.ef and solid might take some hunting. try the underground
Those old compilations were usually monthly kids' magazines like "Bombom" or "Win" like others said. For actual hunting, try the used book arcade inside Jongno's "Kwangjang Market" - it's chaotic but has piles of old manhwa and random
Seoul Airport to City Center (2026)
The AREX Express is the fastest way from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station, taking 43 minutes nonstop. Tickets cost 9,500 won for adults, and you can buy them at the airport k… 🚆 AREX Express Train
The AREX Express is the fastest way from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station, taking 43 minutes nonstop. Tickets cost 9,500 won for adults, and you can buy them at the airport kiosks or online in advance. Trains run every 30 minutes from 5:20 AM to 11:40 PM.
🚇 AREX All-Stop Train
For a cheaper option, the AREX All-Stop train makes local stops and costs 4,150 won with a T-money card. It takes about 66 minutes to reach Seoul Station, but it's convenient if your destination is near a stop like Hongdae or Digital Media City. Trains run every 6-10 minutes from around 5:30 AM to midnight.
🚌 Airport Limousine Buses
Airport limousine buses serve many hotels and districts, with fares between 10,000 and 18,000 won. Routes like 6015 to Myeongdong or 6002 to Hongdae run every 10-20 minutes from 4:30 AM to 10:30 PM. You can buy tickets at the airport bus stops or from the driver with cash or T-money.
🚕 Taxi Options and Scams
Regular taxis from Incheon to central Seoul cost around 50,000-70,000 won, while deluxe taxis are about 80,000-100,000 won. Avoid unlicensed drivers at the arrivals hall; always use the official taxi queue. Some drivers may refuse the meter, so insist on the meter or choose a different cab.
🚗 Ride-Hailing Apps
Apps like Kakao T and Uber are available in Seoul, offering fixed prices for airport trips. A ride from Incheon to Gangnam costs roughly 60,000-80,000 won. Book through the app to avoid language barriers and ensure transparent pricing.
🚐 Private Transfer Services
Pre-booked private transfers cost around 70,000-120,000 won depending on vehicle size and destination. Companies like KTravelBus or Seoul Airport Transfer offer door-to-door service with English-speaking drivers. This is ideal for groups or those with heavy luggage.
💳 T-Money Card Tips
Buy a T-money card at the airport convenience store for 2,500 won and load it with cash. It works on AREX trains, city buses, and subways, and you can get a refund for remaining balance at the airport. To save time, load at least 20,000 won for your first few days.
⏰ Late-Night Travel
After midnight, the AREX and most buses stop running, so your options are taxis or ride-hailing apps. The N6001 night bus runs from Incheon to Seoul Station from 11:30 PM to 4:30 AM, costing 9,000 won. Taxis at night may have surcharges, so check the meter carefully.
The guide is solid, but one thing I'd add is that if you're landing at Terminal 2, the AREX Express actually starts there and stops at Terminal 1 before heading to Seoul Station. A lot of people don't realize that and end up waiting for the wrong train. Also, for the limousine bus, the 6015 to Myeongdong is great but traffic on the way in can turn that 60-minute ride into 90 minutes easily, especially on Friday afternoons.
yeah the guide covers it well but one thing i'd mention is that if you're traveling with a group of 3 or 4, a regular taxi from the airport to central seoul can actually be cheaper per person than the express train and way more convenient. split 60k won four ways and it's only 15k each, plus no hauling luggage through the station. just make sure they use the meter or you'll get ripped off
Nice write-up. One thing I'd add is that Kakao T has a "call taxi" option where you just put in your destination and it shows the fare upfront, which is perfect for avoiding the language barrier with drivers who don't speak English. I've used it a few times from the airport and it always worked smoothly, even late at night.