Starfield Coex Mall | 9 Terrific Things To Do At Asia's Largest Underground Mall » Travel-Stained (2024)

Starfield Coex Mall is the largest underground shopping mall in all of Asia. I can personally attest to this, because I ALWAYS get lost in there. It takes up a huge piece of real estate stretching all the way from Samseong subway station to Bongeunsa Temple, in the Gangnam District of Seoul.

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Starfield Coex Mall | 스타필드 코엑스몰

Address: 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 강남구 영동대로 513 (삼성동)

Starfield Coex Mall was renovated back in 2014, under the concept of “The Unfolding Sky.” The new design did a great job of increasing natural light and a feeling of airiness in what was formerly a pretty dark and crowded feeling space.

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Shopping at Starfield Coex Mall

This is one of the best places to go shopping in Seoul. There are over 320 local and international clothing, beauty, and lifestyle stores available for you to explore.

You can shop for pretty much anything you need, including clothing, jewelry, technology, cosmetics, and home furnishings. Shops run the gamut from super affordable to very expensive, so anyone can find something to buy here.

Popular stores include:

• Clothing, Shoes and Accessories: Zara, H&M, ALand, Spao, 8seconds, Oysho, Top10, OST, ABC-Mart
• Beauty and Lifestyle: Lush, L’Occitane. Chicor, Olive Young, Kakao Friends, Daiso, Butter, CasaMia
• Restaurant and Fast Food: The Place, Le Saigon, Sariwon, Saboten, PF Chang’s, Eggslu*t, On the Border, McDonalds
• Coffee and Bakery: Starbucks, Billy Angel Cake Company Terarosa, Artisee, Paul Bassett

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Things to do at Starfield Coex Mall

Starfield Coex Mall is much more than just shopping and stores however. There’s also the 17 screen Megabox cinema, one of Seoul’s biggest aquariums, an event area for concerts and other performances, the incredible Starfield library, and over 100 restaurants and cafes to check out.

It’s also located right next to Bongeunsa – one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the city, and connected to the City Air Terminal, a casino, the Trade Tower, Intercontinental Hotel, and Hyundai Department Store.

Add the massive COEX Convention and Exhibition Space into the equation, which always has exciting events happening, and you could spend days and days at Starfield Coex Mall without ever doing it all.

Coex Aquarium | 코엑스 아쿠아리움

Address: 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 강남구 영동대로 513 (삼성동)

The Coex Aquarium at Starfield Coex Mall is one of the biggest aquariums in Korea with over 40,000 sea animals from over 650 species populating its 183 exhibition tanks and 90 breeding tanks. There are 16 discovery zones that include 6 themed areas arranged in a preset path through the Coex Aquarium.

You can learn about fish and other animals local to each of the different theme areas, which include: Story of Korean Fish, Amazonia World, Mangrove and Beach, Ocean Kingdom, Marine Mammal Village, Deep Blue Sea Tunnel, Penguin’s Playground and much more.

The undersea tunnel is particularly stunning. Here, you walk through an acrylic tunnel that is filled with 2000 tons of water, while surrounded by sharks and sea turtles swimming all around you. The aquarium at Starfield Coex Mall houses the highest number of sharks in Korea, so it’s really a unique experience.

Megabox Coex

The Megabox Cinema is located inside Starfield COEX Mall, and has a total of 17 theatres, including speciality theatres, like the Megabox Boutique M Cinema where you’ll receive Evian water, a blanket and slippers to wear inside the theatre. You can also order premium beer, co*cktails and desserts if you like.

My personal favourite thing at Megabox Cinema though is the 5 rows of single seats they’ve implemented in 6 of their theatres. It’s one of the ways I soothe my introverted feathers in a very extroverted city.

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Starfield Library

The Starfield Library was a sensation from the moment it opened last year. No big surprise, because the design is really outstanding.

You can’t miss it because it takes up a huge space in the middle of the underground Starfield Coex Mall. As you approach the library, which is open on all sides to the stores around it, you’ll be totally wowed by 3 towering bookshelves standing 13 metres tall each. If you’re a bibliophile, the sight of the 50,000 books and magazines in the Starfield Library certainly stirs the soul.

There’s no need for a library card there, because as of yet, reading materials can only be enjoyed inside the Starfield library. There are also free monthly cultural events and different performances based on different themes each day.

On the upper levels, there’s a convenience store, as well as a few different cafes, including a Billy Angel Cake Company… cuz ya know, we all need cake sometimes.

Get there in the early morning hours if you’re looking for anything resembling the quiet of a traditional library. Otherwise, you can join the rest of the selfie takers and tourists oohing and ahhing at the gorgeousness of the Starfield Library.

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Bongeunsa Temple | 봉은사

Address: 531, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 강남구 봉은사로 531

Bongeunsa Temple is widely regarded as one of the best places in Seoul to see the striking contrast between the traditional and the modern, and I’d have to agree.

When you walk into Bongeunsa, you enter a hushed world so markedly different from the world you just came from, it’s hard to believe it takes just a few steps to get there from the chaos of Starfield Coex Mall.

Seek out the striking 28 metre tall stone statue of Maitreya (the Future Buddha, aptly) that’s watched peacefully as this area has transformed from farmland and rice paddies to one of the wealthiest, most modern parts of Seoul.

Bongeunsa Temple is wonderful to visit during spring in Korea, for cherry blossoms and glowing lanterns for Buddha’s Birthday.

If you visit during the 9th day of the 8th month of the Lunar Calendar, you can watch monks march around the Temple, carrying Flower Garland Sutra woodblock carvings and 3,479 Buddhist scriptures on their heads, while reciting the Buddhist rites.

Eat at Hyundai Department Store Coex

The Hyundai Department Store is attached to Starfield Coex Mall, and there’s much more to do there than just shop… though you’d be forgiven for wanting to do so.

On the B1 level, you’ll find a food court with various Korean dining options, as well as food stalls with more international options. Most of these stalls have counter seating. You just order from the vendor, have a seat and wait to be served a hot meal. There’s burgers, salads, Mexican, lobster and much more to choose from.

If you head up to the 10th floor, you’ll find a more formal, restaurant style dining area.

See the Massive Coex Artium Screen

Unfortunately, SMTown at Starfield Coex Mall recently shut down, so you’ll have to look for your favourite SMTown artists, exhibits, and holographic performances elsewhere.

However, the huge media screen that used to decorate the facade of SMTown at Coex Artium is still there, and it’s totally worth seeing. This high definition screen is as big as 4 basketball courts, and is the biggest display in Korea.

The first time I saw it, I was totally wowed because it looked like a huge aquarium with whales swimming around in it. Recent exhibitions have included a totally hypnotic wave crashing over the screen over and over again.

K-POP Live! | Seeing your favourite K-Pop stars live can be challenging. Here’s a few options you can try.

• SBS MTV The Show at Prism Tower
• KBS Music Bank K-Pop Show Ticket
• MBC Show Champion Tickets

Hyundai Sky Garden

On the 11th floor of the Hyundai Department store, you’ll find the Hyundai Culture Centre, which offers affordable art, music, cooking, sports courses, as well as classes for children with their moms or dads.

I’ve personally spent a ton of time there with Naia, taking ballet, art, sports classes and more. This place literally saved my life with great affordable activities and learning experiences for her on cold or polluted days.

There are also art exhibitions, a small coffee stand, and a gorgeous outdoor Sky Garden that’s accessible to anyone. There’s green space, some seating, fountains and a lovely, peaceful feeling (well, except for when the kids get out of class ha!)

It’s a great space to take a breather from the chaos of the department store and Starfield Coex Mall in general (which can get really, really busy).

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Gangnam Style Sculpture

If you can’t get Gangnam Style out of your head no matter how hard you try, head out to the front of the Starfield Coex Mall to pose under this huge testament to one of Korea’s biggest pop exports.

Don’t stand on the stage though, unless you’re comfortable dancing Gangnam Style in front of an audience. The song will automatically start playing once you do.

The Fruit / Veggie Tree

This sculpture had a home inside the Starfield Library for a few months, until it was replaced by a gorgeous towering display of books for the holidays. If you must see this kitschy art piece, you can find it in the ASEM Plaza, on the Bongeunsa Temple side of Starfield Coex Mall.

Starfield Coex Mall with Kids

There are a number of services provided at Starfield Coex Mall that make it a great place to visit with kids on rainy, hot, or polluted days. Free stroller rental, and a baby care | breastfeeding room are available on site. A visit to Starfield Library, or Coex Aquarium is always a hit with children.

In terms of shopping for kids clothes and other items however, I find the choices to be pretty limited at Starfield Coex Mall unfortunately.

Lotte World Mall in nearby Jamsil is better for families in my experience. It has an entire floor dedicated to children’s clothing, several kids cafes, the Lotte World Aquarium and Lotte World Theme Park on-site.

Where to Stay near Starfield Coex Mall

This is a popular area of the city to use as a base for traveling. It has excellent transit links, and is located right next to Seoul’s City Air Terminal, where it’s possible to catch direct limousine buses to Incheon Airport.

There are several hotels within a 10 minute walk or actually connected to the Starfield COEX Mall complex. However, there aren’t a ton of true budget options in this area. You’ll have to stay a little further away from the main hub if you have a strict budget.

Luxury: 5 Star Hotels

• Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas on Booking | on Klook | on Agoda
• Oakwood Premier Coex Centre on Booking | on Klook | on Agoda
• Park Hyatt on Booking | on Klook | on Agoda

Mid-Range: 3 & 4 Star Hotels

• GLAD Gangnam Coex Centre on Booking | on Klook | on Agoda
• L7 Gangnam by Lotte on Booking | on Klook | on Agoda
• Shilla Stay Samsung on Booking | on Klook | on Agoda

Budget: Hostels etc…

• Refee House on Booking | on Agoda
• YaKorea Hostel Gangnam on Booking | on Klook | on Agoda
• Hotel NewV on Booking | on Klook | on Agoda

How to get to Starfield Coex Mall

Starfield Coex Mall is located in Samseong-dong in the Gangnam district, and it’s possible to get there easily from 3 different subway lines.

Seoul subway Line 2:Samseong Station, Exit 5 or 6

Seoul subway Line 9: Bongeunsa Station, Exit 7

Seoul subway Line 7: Cheongdam Station, Exit 2

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