Find new experience at DDP weekend night market

Food trucks are parked along the Dongdaemun Design Plaza building during the Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market which takes place every Friday and Saturday until Oct. 29. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

By Kim Se-jeong

Travelers in Seoul can’t go without night-life.

A usual scene is this: wandering around bustling streets filled with restaurants and bars; an invitation to a binge drinking session; and going to a “noraebang” (karaoke), or a dance club where you can keep drinking and pass out.

Dongdaemun in eastern Seoul displays quite a different, sober, experience.

The Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market on Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) property is a new venue set up by the Seoul Metropolitan Government for night wanderers, with “bamdokkaebi” (night goblin) figuratively meaning people who do not sleep at night but do some unpredictable things. And it is growing to be a hot spot.

Almost 50 vendors at the DDP’s open space in the middle sell accessories, handbags and clothes. Their items are mostly hand-made and affordable. How about the quality and design? They’re impeccable!

A pair of pure silver earrings cost 40,000 won. Those who sell the products are the designers who can explain and give you informed advice on selecting accessories.

If you are lucky, you can find a designer you can commission for your wedding rings or anniversary gifts.

Music is not missing here either. Live music permeates through the open space decorated with the iconic DDP walls, a fashion and art mecca in the city. Their performances are not like those of K-pop idols that you’d see on TV but more natural.

The pathway takes you down to a place filled with food trucks. Have a walk around and take your pick. A plate of mini beef steak and rice with stir fried seafood is among the hottest dishes. Other dishes include stir fried noodles, fried rice, seafood kebab, ice cream, coffee, juice and desserts.

“I didn’t discover this amazing stuff until today. It is great fun to spend an evening here,” Jang Min-soo who works at the DDP said.

The mascot of the Seoul Bamdokkaebi (night goblin) Night Market is lit up at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul.

DDP also opens three exhibitions for the late-night travelers.

Moon Gallery at the corner of the DDP property features contemporary installation art by Korean artists. Admission is free and the exhibition stays open until Aug. 10. The gallery opens until 10 p.m.

An exhibition on the late legendary folk rock singer Kim Kwang-seok (1964-1996) is also worth dropping by. His songs are featured in video footage at one part of the exhibition venue, while his famous quotes decorate the walls stationed in the middle of the hallway. Admission is 6,000 won and is open through Sept. 11 and until 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday.

If you’re a fan of old paintings, Kan Song exhibition can be your pick. Kan Song is the second name for Jeong Hyeong-pil (1906-1962), a wealthy art collector and educator. He collected old paintings extensively, and the Kansong Art and Culture Foundation now takes care of his collection. Admission is 8,000 won, and is open until 9 p.m. every Friday.

The weekend night markets take place at two other locations ― Yeouido and Mokdong. All three will be open every Friday and Saturday through Oct. 24. Cheonggye stream also has a market on a seasonal basis, and the upcoming market will be on Sept. 9, 10 and 11. Markets are canceled in case of rain and no admission fee is required. For more information about the markets, visit www.visitseoul.net or www.bamdokkaebi.org.