Bringing Shopping and Entertainment to Korea’s Wall Street


In the forest of gleaming skyscrapers on Yeouido, the central financial district of Seoul, a new mega shopping center has opened its doors. IFC Mall brings new vibrancy to Korea’s Wall Street. 

Yeouido is one of Korea’s three main business districts, the other two being downtown Seoul and the Gangnam area. An island on the Hangang River in the western part of the capital, Yeouido is the nation’s financial center and home to many businesses and investment banks. So, it was with great surprise when IFC Mall opened in August of this year, bringing shopping and entertainment to the bankers and brokers of Yeouido.

The open, airy atmosphere creates a new kind of shopping experience for visitors.The open, airy atmosphere creates a new kind of shopping experience for visitors.

IFC Mall is below street level, underneath the International Finance Center. It was developed by AIG Global Real Estate Development in conjunction with Seoul Metropolitan Government and is operated by Taubman Asia. The mall is part of the larger IFC project, which includes three office buildings and the Conrad Seoul Hotel, which opened in November. It is an ambitious USD 2.2 billion retail project and the first “international-style” shopping mall in Korea.

The mall has 40,000 square meters of retail floor space on three levels. The vast space and scale of the mall are unprecedented compared to the closely spaced layout of Korea’s many department stores. The absence of pillars and wide halls afford a space that bears comparison with the layouts of international malls. But the highlight of the mall is the 17-meter-high glass pavilion that lets in sunlight during the day, acting as a natural lighting system throughout the mall. The open, airy atmosphere creates a new kind of shopping experience for visitors, and as you walk by the stores, you can almost forget that the entire structure is underground.

The CGV Theater is also a place for movie premiers including the recent Korean hit Masquerade. The CGV Theater is also a place for movie premiers including the recent Korean hit Masquerade.

Shopping and entertainment

The mall was built to attract the employees of nearby businesses as well as increase visitors to the Yeouido area. Whereas the area bustles during the workweek, it can be very quiet on the weekends. The primary customer target is office employees in their mid-20s to early 40s, primarily young career women. Most of the stores offer trendy and affordable clothes for fashion-conscious but savvy spenders.

The mall houses global SPA brands such as H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo along with flagship stores of popular brands such as Banana Republic and Hollister. The opening of the Hollister flagship store in the mall created a buzz among young trend setters as it was the first Hollister store to open in Korea.

The stores are more spacious and offer a wider selection. They also have unique facades that are representative of each brand concept.

The glass pavilion actsas a natural lighting systemthroughout the mall. The glass pavilion acts as a natural lighting system throughout the mall.


Window shoppers can check out the latest bestsellers at YP Books or see a movie at the nine-screen CGV multiplex.

All the places to eat are on the lowest level, L3. There are many different types of restaurants and cafes including Korean, Japanese, Mexican, and American to choose from. From McDonald’s to more upscale restaurants like Wasedaya, a Japanese-style grill, shoppers can stop for a delicious meal in the mall. During the lunch hour, the food court throngs with workers from the nearby businesses.

The mall is connected to Line 5 and 9 on the Seoul Subway System through an underground passage, making shopping easier rain or shine. Even before you get to the actual mall, stores and restaurants entice you off the walkway to pop in.

*Article from Korea Magazine (December 2012)


[Source : Korea.net]