Ever heard of a market where rundown items transform into treasures? That’s Do Kke Bi Si Jang for you. Do Kke Bi Si Jang is not just a market. It is a place of transformation.
Welcome to the enchanting world of Do Kke Bi Si Jang. This market is also known as Dokkaebi Market. Dokkaebi refers to a goblin-like creature in Korean folklore. It’s located in Seoul’s Jung District. You can find it in the Hwanghak-dong neighborhood.
Do Kke Bi Si Jang has a captivating story. It’s named after merchants who traveled like fleas. They hopped around the country seeking rare and valuable items.
Once, it was a haven for antiques. But many art shops moved in 1983. They went to Janganpyeong’s old-fashioned art street. This left behind used items and general goods.
Now, Do Kke Bi Si Jang offers a wide array of goods. You can find antiques and used furniture here. There are electronics and clocks too. Jewelry, musical instruments and cameras are also available. Machinery and much more awaits you. It seems pretty much anything one can name is available.
The name “Dokkaebbi Market” describes a magical transformation. Even the most worn items become like new. This is as if goblins worked their magic.
Hwanghak-dong Flea Market boasts over 500 shops and stalls. These are near Dongdaemun Market. They supply a variety of used products.
The Seoul Folk Flea Market also has ties to the Dokkaebi Market. It was established during the Japanese colonial period. Poor people in Hwanghak-dong created it near Cheonggyecheon Stream. Once, there were over 100 antique shops in this area.
Banghak-dong Dokkaebi Market is famous for its “dokkaebi sale”. It’s held three times a week. This market sells agricultural and marine products at low prices. Bargains abound before New Year’s Day and Chuseok. Chuseok is the Korean harvest festival. It has modern facilities making shopping convenient.
The market’s origin traces back to 1982. Unlicensed street vendors gathered here. They sold goods in the evenings. This avoided police patrols. Vendors disappeared quickly when officers arrived. This earned them the Dokkaebi nickname.
Items at Banghak-dong Dokkaebi Market are cheaper than major supermarkets. Prices can be 30 to 40 percent lower. Popular items are displayed in every shop. These are 20 to 30 percent cheaper.
Traditional Korean side dishes are available. These banchan are sold at reasonable prices. Overseas visitors often buy kimchi and tteok here. Tteok are traditional Korean cakes.
As you wander through Do Kke Bi Si Jang imagine the goblins at work. They transform old into new. Each item has a story. Each vendor has a tale. Dokkaebi Market is more than a shopping trip. It is an adventure into Korean folklore. A place where magic seems real.