Friday afternoon on January 13th the opening ceremony for the Korea Grand Sale 2012 was held on the outdoor stage of Doosan Tower in Dongdaemun district of Seoul. There was a throng of foreigners around the stage, trying to enjoy the ceremony and to do some shopping.

- I heard about the Korea Grand Sale and the special discounts to foreign tourists. So I looked up the Korea Grand Sale on the internet before I came to Korea. There were lots of special promotions, like getting one extra night for free if you stay for two nights at a hotel.
- I watched a show about Korea on TV. I wanted to visit Myeongdong, Daehangno, and other famous tourist spots. The atmosphere is nice and I see a lot of things I like. There are also many special discounts for foreigners.

This year marks the second Korea Grand Sale, Korea’s largest shopping and tourism festival, launched to attract more foreign visitors. Here’s Ms. Han Kyung-a of the Visit Korea Committee to explain more about the 52-day shopping extravaganza, running from January 9th through February 29th.

January and February are slow months for tourism. The Korea Grand Sale was designed to attract foreign tourists to Korea with the allure of great shopping and boost spending during the slow months. It is said that 60% of all tourists to Korea come for shopping, illustrating the popularity of Korean products. We have seen an increase of foreign tourists during the Korea Grand Sale, so this is potentially a very lucrative business opportunity.

Roughly ten million foreign tourists came to Korea last year with more than half of them citing shopping as the main draw. It seems that Korea has become a shoppers’ paradise, rivaling Hong Kong or Singapore. The Korea Grand Sale is tempting more and more shopaholics from abroad by offering various discounts and assorted services for more convenient shopping. Here’s Ms. Han Kyung-a of the Visit Korea Committee again.

We provide various discounts to be used not only in department stores and duty-free shops, but also for hotels, performances, and merchandise marts. We also hold prize drawings at department stores and airports. Nobody goes home empty-handed in these drawings. Also, free shuttle bus service is provided to get foreign tourists to major shopping areas in Seoul as well as local Korea Grand Sale destinations like Busan. When foreign tourists ride trains, they get a 30% discount on their KTX fare.

Some 28 thousand businesses in 20 areas, including shopping, lodging, food and beverage, and entertainment, are taking part in this year’s Korea Grand Sale. That’s a 60% increase in the number of participants from last year. These participating businesses offer “buy one, get one free” events and discounts of up to 50% the retail price and many other shopping incentives. This shopper from Japan had her fill of shopping at cosmetic shops and merchandise marts.

I bought BB creams, Korean seaweed, makgeoli, cookies, facial sheets, kimchi, and makeup items. These are all cheaper than in Japan and very high quality. I can use testers before I make my purchase and they give me lots of free samples after purchase.



Several of these shoppers initially came to be interested in Korea through Korean movies, TV shows, and pop songs. They confess that once they visited Korea, they discovered the joy of shopping in Korea as well, which turned them into shopaholics for Korean products.

- I knew about famous Korean celebrities. Taiwanese people are very interested in Korean stars and dramas. I have always wanted to visit Korea, and now that I’m here, I see there are so many cheap, yet quality products here. I love shopping here.
- I bought a coat for my granddaughter, a pair of pants for my grandson, my husband’s sweater, and some clothes for me. Oh, and I bought some cosmetic products for my friends. The quality of these clothes is outstanding, and they are pretty. Children’s clothing especially is really cute.

Some foreign tourists were so impressed with shopping in Korea that they make regular shopping trips to Korea. Sarah from Canada is a true shopping aficionado, who has become so expert in shopping here that she gives out shopping tips to first-time foreign shoppers.

I’m really satisfied with my purchase today. I bought them before, but I used them all up, so I’m back for more. Compared to Canada, there are more places to shop in Korea. I can shop anywhere, on the subway, on the street, and at the shopping mall. There aren’t that many places for shopping in Canada. If you want to buy something cheap, go to underground shopping arcades like the Gangnam Underground Mall at the express bus terminal. There, you can get really inexpensive clothing and quality cosmetic items. I recommend shopping in Korea, and I wish other Canadians would experience shopping in Korea. I want to say that Korean culture and language are great, too.

But shopping isn’t all there is to the Korea Grand Sale. The greatest shopping and tourism event in Korea offers something no other shopping havens like Hong Kong and Singapore do, and that’s hallyu or a heavy dose of Korean pop culture. Here’s Ms. Han Kyung-a of the Visit Korea Committee to explain more.

To provide the maximum hallyu experience to foreign visitors, we organized hallyu-related events, such as K-pop concerts, a photo exhibition of Korean celebrities, and a flea market with Korean stars. Foreign shoppers can enjoy K-pop concerts and take part in a charity auction selling items donated by Korean celebrities. There are also traditional performances to showcase Korean culture.

If you happen to visit the homepage of the Korea Grand Sale, you’ll be greeted by Korea’s hottest girl group, Girl’s Generation.

Captivating Asia and the rest of the world with their charm and talent, Girl’s Generation was appointed a PR envoy for Visit Korea Year. Those who took part in this year’s Korea Grand Sale got the opportunity to see these nine gorgeous girls and other Korean singers and actors on stage.
The 21st Hi One Seoul Music Awards was held in Olympic Park on January 19th. The star-studded event not only featured the nation’s hottest pop stars but also invited 1,200 foreign tourists.

- I’m so looking forward to it. I wasn’t able to see BEAST perform this year, but now I get to see them right here.
- I’m looking forward to seeing the Seoul Music Awards here. I’ve only seen in on TV, so I’m excited about seeing it in person. I like 2NE1. I want to take after the feminine power of 2NE1. I’m sure other women in Korea and elsewhere feel the same way. I think the image of 2NE1 appeals to foreigners.



The honorees of the Seoul Music Awards are selected entirely by fan votes. The fans have a big pool of top stars to pick from – Sistar, Secret, Four Minute, KARA, Miss A, T-ara, Girl’s Generation, IU, and many, many more. This particular Japanese tourist is bursting with anticipation as she waits to see Super Junior.

I love Super Junior and I’m looking forward to seeing them today. Each member of Super Junior has character, and they all sing and dance so well. My favorite is Lee Teuk. I like him because there is no singer like him in Japan.

Out of 12 candidate teams for this year’s awards, Super Junior came out on top in the poll.

The Korea Grand Sale is more than just a shopping experience. It’s an all-out festivity for foreign tourists. Those who couldn’t see the K-pop stars at the awards ceremony has other chances to meet them up close and personal at the Love Kiss charity bazaar.

The Love Kiss charity bazaar being held in central Seoul is a charity auction, selling personal items donated by top celebrities. It opened last Friday and all the proceeds from the bazaar will be donated to multicultural families. This is an event where people can meet their favorite stars and support a good cause.

- There are so many items donated by Korean celebrities, but my favorite is that purse donated by Supreme Team. I really want it. It’s unlike anything else. Since they really used it themselves, it seems to still have their fragrance. The cause is good, because it’s for multicultural families. I think the stars have big hearts.
- I like Choi Ji-woo, Bae Yong-joon, Kim Beom, and 2AM. I wish I could get even one little thing. I really want to get something of Bae Yong-joon.

Next to the bazaar is an autograph signing session by Girl’s Day, the next darlings of Korean pop music.

On the other side there is a photography exhibition titled “The Hour of Communication.” The exhibition features photos of popular A-listers like Ahn Sung-ki, Lee Jun-ki, Kim Tae-hee, and Kim Rae-won taken with children with disabilities. This is where people can see the love of Korean stars for the less fortunate.

- I can see the love in Kim Rae-won’s eyes, as he looks into the eyes of that baby.
- I was impressed by the photos of Kim So-yeon and Kim Beom with babies. They looked like a family, all happy and warm-hearted.
- It’s hopeful and encouraging to see so many celebrities doing this for the needy.

The past 23 days of the Korea Grand Sale were prime opportunities for foreigners to have a wonderful shopping experience in Korea and get to know Korean pop culture through the trendiest K-pop icons. Are you having fun in Korea?

- It was great to shop affordably during the Korea Grand Sale period. Luxury brands are really expensive in China, but, here in Korea, I got deep discounts and saved a lot of money.
- I love Korea. There are lots of pretty clothes, delicious foods, and fun entertainment. I want to come again.
- This is my fifth time in Korea. The first time, I came with eight other friends and I had a great time. Everyone was so nice. I want to come shopping in Korea again with other people.

The Korea Grand Sale is more than a shopping excursion. It’s an all-encompassing cultural experience. From a K-pop concert and a celebrity charity auction to autograph session, the Korea Grand Sale 2012 offers just about everything anyone can possibly want from a shopping and tourism festival. So come on over to Korea, everyone! There is still plenty of time to enjoy the Korea Grand Sale 2012.