ROKing Korea is a weekly feature column by ROKing Magazine that explores Korean culture and expat life in South Korea. With the growing number of Korean-American expats in Korea, we’ve teamed up with ROKing, a bi-monthly, bi-lingual, Korea-centric magazine, to give you a glimpse of life in South Korea.

When you walk into the Yeongdeungpo Times Square, you are immediately greeted by its shiny, white interior. The interior of the place makes Yeongdeungpo Times Square distinct from other shopping centers. You can look outside through the glass wall and enjoy the creatively designed curve of the interior and feel your imagination growing. In the middle of the square there is an open space that one can get some sun while enjoying various performances. Find out how cultural activities and shopping has come together in this wide space.

Cheongdam-dong, Myeong-dong and Hongdae… These places may be the first to come into your mind when you think about ‘shopping.’ These places were the first to transform itself into giant compounds as convergence of shopping space and cultural activity became trendy. Korean shopping culture has been evolving to accommodate the customer’s needs. In the current mall culture, huge cultural compounds provide customers with cultural activities, shopping, and leisure in one stop. Such places have become immensely popular among Koreans who are seeking to spend their leisure time economically. From the small cafes in most villages that serve as a cultural space and to the corporate-run mega-sized cultural compound, these kinds of spaces are growing rapidly and becoming more numerous. Among them, Yeongdeungpo Times Square is the one that stands out the most. Soon after its grand opening Yeongdengpo Times Square has become the hottest place among youngsters. Visited by hundreds and thousands of people every day, the Times Square undoubtedly has become the core of Korea’s mall culture. You can enjoy various activities and do business all under the same roof: Department store and designer label stores, discount retails, hotels, wedding venues, movie theaters, health & fitness centers, etc. So don’t miss out on visiting the Times Square in Yeongdeungpo!

Various performances are held at this 1485m² space. The center of the first floor to the rooftop is open so you get sun coming  through its glass ceiling. Also anyone can come and enjoy the performances held at the cultural event hall within the Atrium.

The Rooftop Garden has a fine green park decorated with various sculptures. Also, there’s an ecological park located on the fifth and sixth floor of the shopping mall. Don’t forget to check out sculptures by famous domestic and international sculptors located here and there of the shopping center!

The Starium (movie theatre) at the Times Square boasts the largest screen in the world! Sylvia Park Complex in New Zealand was the largest screen in the world with its 30.63m width and 12.29m height. But now the Starium has taken over as the largest cinema screen with its 31.4m2 screen. After rigorous evaluation by the awards committee Starium has achieved the Guinness record. Isn’t that something?

Global architecture firm Gensler has contributed in the designing of the Amoris Wedding hall. Built with a theme of “Alice in  wonderland,” its dramatic scale, best of the best facilities and interior design is classy and unique. It already has become a popular place to wed.

Times Square
Location: 42 Yeongdeungpo-Dong 4-Ga, Yeongdeungpo-Gu Seoul
Phone: +82-2-2638-2000
Hours: 10:30-22:00
Parking Available
http://www.timessquare.co.kr/

Written by Sang-aa Park. Cross-published from ROKing Magazine with permission. Pictures and info provided by Times Square. ———————————————————————————————————————————————– ROKing Magazine
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