Dongmyo Station

Dongmyo Flea Market, a market in Seoul often visited by elderly locals, is now booming with a new crowd. Thanks to the rise of retro and Year 2000 Y2K fashion trends, Millennials and Generation Z (Gen MZ) flock to this market, seeking affordable and stylish second-hand clothing. With the growing popularity of cargo pants, big earrings, and other vintage pieces reminiscent of the late 1900s and early 2000s, Dongmyo market has transformed into a must-visit spot for young people and foreign tourists.

The Hidden Gem of Seoul: Dongmyo Flea Market

Dongmyo Flea Market, the largest flea market in South Korea, is located in the heart of Jongno-gu, Seoul. The market is located at the exit 3 of Dongmyo Station, where Seoul’s subway line 1 and line 6 intersect. Amid Seoul’s tall buildings and towering skyscrapers, Dongmyo Flea Market stands out as a place where past generations come alive. The market boasts a wide variety of items, ranging from watches, cameras, and clothing to laptops and jewelry. According to Jongno-gu data, 150 to 250 stalls operate on weekdays, with around 600 stalls operating on weekends, making it a bustling hotspot for visitors. One distinctive feature of Dongmyo is the way clothes are stacked on the ground for sale, creating an authentic flea-market atmosphere. Additionally, Dongmyo is well-known for its affordable food options.

Dongmyo Flea Market’s Rich Culture

Dongmyo Flea Market has deep historical roots dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. Originally, the market began as a small marketplace selling materials from the royal court. Following the Korean War, scrap dealers and street vendors set up stalls around the Cheonggyecheon area to make a living. During the 1960s, restoration work in Cheonggyecheon significantly changed the market’s appearance, and by the 1970s, the number of folk antique shops had grown rapidly, reaching around 200 shops with an additional 200 to 300 intermediary merchants working in this area. However, preparations for the Asian Games and Olympics in the 1980s led many antique shops to relocate to areas like Janganpyeong, Itaewon, and Insa-dong. Further restoration work in Cheonggyecheon during the early 2000s forced vendors to move again, this time to Dongdaemun Stadium and later to the Seoul Folk Flea Market.

Some vendors eventually settled in the current Dongmyo Flea Market area, which became well-known for second-hand clothing. Following the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) crisis, as demand for used items increased, Dongmyo solidified its reputation as a comprehensive flea market offering diverse goods. Today, with over 600 stalls, Dongmyo Flea Market has grown into a key destination for antique and vintage enthusiasts.

Clothes and shoes stacked on the ground for sale in Dongmyo Flea Market

Y2K Fashion and Sustainable Shopping Fuel Dongmyo Flea Market

Dongmyo Flea Market has become a center of the Y2K fashion and retro culture trend, which has gained immense popularity among the Gen MZ in recent years. This trend is driven not only by nostalgia for early 2000s styles but also by Gen MZ's growing interest in zero waste and value-conscious consumption. Additionally, many K-pop groups, such as Newjeans, showcase Y2K styles on stage, significantly influencing the trend. The eco-friendly and sustainable values of vintage fashion align perfectly with these interests, drawing countless Gen MZ shoppers to Dongmyo Flea Market to recreate Y2K-inspired looks with unique, second-hand finds.

The growing interest in retro fashion is supported by data. According to Trend Monitor, a 2023 survey on retro culture awareness revealed that interest in retro fashion among young Koreans rose from 20.8% in 2015 to 47.7% in 2023. Additionally, search data from Amood showed that queries for Y2K items surged by 138% between October and November 2023, reflecting the trend’s rapid growth. Dongmyo Flea Market, embodying this vintage appeal, has become particularly popular with Gen MZ shoppers, especially in the area in front of Dongmyo Park, where used clothing stalls line the streets.

Dongmyo Market in the Hearts of Foreign Tourists

The appeal of Dongmyo Flea Market extends beyond Korean shoppers. It has also become a popular destination for foreign tourists seeking affordable traditional Korean goods in a vibrant wholesale market setting. Known as a hipster’s heaven and a vintage market, Dongmyo is especially popular among Japanese tourists, who make up 15.3% of its foreign visitors, according to data from the Seoul Tourism Organization and LG Uplus. This popularity is fueled by the growing interest in Korean fashion and music culture among Japanese youth.

As the diversity of visitors increases, the atmosphere of Dongmyo continues to evolve. The market’s unique blend of retro fashion and sustainable shopping appeals to both local Gen MZ and foreign visitors, solidifying Dongmyo’s place as one of Korea’s most distinctive vintage destinations.