The Korea Herald

지나쌤

[Well-curated] LP cafe, Pinkfong Baby Shark pop-up store and action painting studio

By Lee Jung-youn, Lee Si-jin, Lee Yoon-seo

Published : Feb. 16, 2024 - 09:01

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A turntable and records are displayed at Illuso Coffee in Jung-gu, Seoul, Monday. (Lee Jung-youn/The Korea Herald) A turntable and records are displayed at Illuso Coffee in Jung-gu, Seoul, Monday. (Lee Jung-youn/The Korea Herald)

A cup of coffee and music

If you find yourself walking the Namsan trail to enjoy the last few weeks of winter, you may come across a small, serene cafe full of music and the aroma of coffee.

With the motto "All you need is music and more coffee," Illuso Coffee has a selection of LP albums, turntables and music-related props. The cafe is located in a narrow building, so the space is not large, but if you climb the narrow stairs, there is seating space available up to the third floor.

The second floor has a stone table by the window and three smaller tables to enjoy the sunshine through a large window. The third floor has a large table with space for about six people.

Customers can enjoy diverse Jazz and old pop songs, all carefully curated by the owner. If you have a certain song in mind, you can send a request to the owner via a direct message to the Illuso Coffee Instagram account.

From espresso con panna to Viennese coffee, customers can enjoy a variety of items ranging from the low price of 3,000 won ($2.24) to 5,000 won. In addition to coffee, tea, lemonade and a selection of desserts are on offer.

The cafe is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Saturday. It is closed every Sunday.

A turntable and music props are displayed at Illuso Coffee in Jung-gu, Seoul, Monday. (Lee Jung-youn/The Korea Herald) A turntable and music props are displayed at Illuso Coffee in Jung-gu, Seoul, Monday. (Lee Jung-youn/The Korea Herald)

Pinkfong Baby Shark pop-up store (Pinkfong) Pinkfong Baby Shark pop-up store (Pinkfong)

Baby Shark pop-up store

Head to the Pinkfong Baby Shark pop-up store on the fifth floor of the Pangyo Hyundai Department Store in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, this weekend before its last opening day on Sunday.

Pinkfong -- the company behind the hit YouTube video, “Baby Shark Dance” -- celebrated the latest release of its first movie, “Baby Shark’s Big Movie,” with a pop-up event on Feb. 2.

Ranging from a merchandise shop, offering more than 35 types of Baby Shark-themed items and accessories, to activity zones, the pop-up store beckons young Baby Shark lovers with fan-friendly activities.

Young visitors can color their own Baby Shark posters, enjoy Baby Shark rides and pose for photos at the blue carpet photo zone, the major setting of "Baby Shark's Big Movie."

Meanwhile, families can take memorable instant photos with Baby Shark-themed frames at the Life Four Cuts photo booth only available at the pop-up store.

The pop-up store presents a chance to win a ticket for “Baby Shark’s Big Movie” for those who spent more than 50,000 won ($37.5) through a raffle.

Pangyo Hyundai Department is near Exit 2 or 3 at Pangyo Station on the Shinbundang Line.

Customers pose for a photo at Paint Rabbit in Mapo-gu, Seoul. (Paint Rabbit) Customers pose for a photo at Paint Rabbit in Mapo-gu, Seoul. (Paint Rabbit)

Paint your stress away

Take an opportunity to relieve your stress artistically -- by throwing paint.

Located in Hapjeong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Paint Rabbit is an action painting studio where customers can pay to create their own artwork via an abstract expressionism method called action painting -- which involves dripping and spilling paint onto a canvas using dynamic body movements.

Once inside the studio, customers will be offered a full-body set including goggles, a bodysuit and a pair of slippers, which will cover them from head to toe.

Customers can either choose to paint canvas or a rabbit-shaped penny bank, and will be offered a basic paint set of four colors. More colors can be added for a fee.

Various tools are available to create a fun action painting experience. Customers can either use a toy gun to shoot paint or use a bucket to throw paint onto the canvas.

The finished artwork will be mailed to customers via a delivery box, after drying. The drying and delivery process takes about a week.

Paint Rabbit operates from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and on weekends, it operates from noon to 9 p.m.

On weekdays, the admission fee per person costs 29,000 won. On weekends, it costs 35,000 won per person.

Customers use toy gun to shoot paint. (Paint Rabbit) Customers use toy gun to shoot paint. (Paint Rabbit)