“G:HA” is a quarterly magazine which reports on the underground shopping areas—mostly in subway stations and standalone underground passageways. (image: Seoul Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation)
SEOUL, May 23 (Korea Bizwire) – A specialty magazine dedicated to news on Seoul’s underground shopping streets has come out. Available for the shoppers and merchants residing in 29 such shopping areas in which a total of 2,738 small stores are operating for now, the magazine will cover all the information on the underground shopping areas in Seoul.
Seoul Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation announced that it began publication of “G:HA,” a quarterly magazine introducing the underground shopping areas—mostly in subway stations and standalone underground passageways—in Seoul where people can experience various cultural activities and shopping at reasonable prices.
It’s reported that the total area of the combined spaces of the underground shopping malls add up to about 150,000 square meters — about the equivalent of one sixth of the Myeondong area.
With the slogan “When underground meets lifestyle,” the magazine will suggest new shopping culture and lifestyle by introducing good (G) and pleasant (Ha-ha) products. The magazine G:HA will carry articles on the various aspects of the underground shopping areas especially for younger generations who tend to enjoy different kinds of cultures and smart consumption.
In its first issue published on May 23, with the cover story “Review the underground shopping areas, hidden treasure troves,” the magazine introduced hidden gems and special stories of underground shopping malls which were not very attractive to the younger generation.
It also carried the various stories of merchants in the underground shopping areas in Myeongdong, Jongno, Namdaemun and so on selling goods with exquisite workmanship competing with the masterpieces for the world for more than 20 years.
The magazine is consisted on various sections like “Exclusive Section” introducing unique shops in the areas, “Story Section” containing the stories of merchants who have been together with the histories of the areas, “Item Section” suggesting various styles of fashion with the items selling the areas, “Enjoy Section” introducing various ways of enjoying the shopping areas, and “Spot Section” dealing with enjoyable places near the shopping areas.
Oh Sung-kyu, CEO of the magazine publisher said, “It is true that the underground shopping centers, once the center of Seoul’s commercial world, and the fashion centers are facing difficulties now due to the change in the retail environment. However, the places are the treasure houses for the variety of products and merchants with workmanship.”
“Now, they are rising again as an importance source of the Korean Wave and the magazine will strengthen their potential as new centers of shopping by informing the readers with hidden aspects of the underground shopping malls,” he added.
The magazine will be published four times a year with 2,000 copies at a time which will be placed in coffee shops and college campuses for free. It can also be subscribed online through its website (http://issuu.com/g_ha/docs/).
Written by John Choi (johnchoi@koreabizwire.com)
Lifestyle (Follow us @Lifestylenews_Korea)
