Today’s destination was the COEX mall – arguably the largest underground mall in South Korea, and possibly the world. It doesn’t feel underground – in fact, once you enter the mall you hardly even think about it. There’s simply too much to see. When was the last time you saw a world-class aquarium inside a mall? 118,000 square meters, 260 stores, 64 restaurants, and a whole lot of walking – I was there for over 4 hours and STILL didn’t see everything. I’ll be back for a second time in the hopes of finishing what I started 🙂

OK, time for some pictures 🙂

Welcome to the COEX Mall – it’s obviously well-branded 🙂 (COEX mall, 12 April 2008)

A collection of blank books – all with different covers or themes (Gina’s gift store, COEX mall, 12 April 2008)

While at the mall, a band called Peter Pan Complex was holding a concert – a Korean cross between Maroon 5 and Vertical Horizon, if that helps any. After the concert, the merchandise table was selling… a book! Nope, no CD for sale – a little surprising. And no, there was no CD in the book (I checked)… Weird… (COEX mall, 12 April 2008)

An arcade game within the mall. Apparently, the point of this game is to navigate the ‘rapids’ by paddling as a team. The game seemed pretty accurate as far as physics go, but the couple in the picture has probably never actually paddled a real boat! Most games were a single 500 won coin (about 50 cents), but some of the fancier games were 1,000 won (about a dollar). (Arcade, COEX mall, 12 April 2008)

Another arcade game – where the object is to touch the differences between two pictures. You’ve played this game in your local newspaper or online – this game just adds some time pressures to it. (Arcade, COEX mall, 12 April 2008)

A Korean attempting to shoot a small teddy bear off its plate to win a larger toy for his girl. Those poor teddy bears… (Arcade, COEX mall, 12 April 2008)

A group of kids, all playing various games on the Nintendo DS at the Nintendo store (COEX mall, 12 April 2008)

The entrance to the COEX aquarium – certainly a fun sight to be had for the admission price (about $15.50 for adults). Don’t forget about the gift shop and the art gallery directly associated with the aquarium! (COEX mall, 12 April 2008).

The large movie theater inside the mall – instead of advertising films in TV commercials, the theater freely releases paper handouts / flyers of the movies they’re showing. Most were American films, with Korean on the flyers for easier reading. This is a picture of the stand holding them all – including Dan in Real Life and The Other Boleyn Girl. (COEX mall, 12 April 2008)

Bandi and Luni’s bookstore – a Korean version of a Barnes and Noble. While most of the store offered Korean books, a significant portion offered books in English. (COEX mall, 12 April 2008)

Essentially the ENTIRE Lonely Planet series (a series of travel books), there’s a book for virtually anywhere in the world you want to go! I took this picture since you won’t find this comprehensive a selection at any bookstore in America that I’m familiar with! (COEX mall, 12 April 2008)

All in all, the COEX mall was lots of fun – but a lot larger than I expected! Wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared to spend the whole day 🙂