The next morning I recounted the ankle drama to Amanda and Andy while we waited for our ride to Korea Town. The area was sort of far from our hotel, but they were game for exploring a new area and soaking in the K-pop vibes. It was exciting for me to see hangul all over. My brain was so distracted trying to translate everything as we walked around. Andy was excited by all the architecture in the neighborhood. Amanda delighted in the cultural change and bought some Korean snacks for her students.

Our first stop was Madang Plaza. Daiso is a fun Japanese home goods store. I got some face masks other toiletries at the cosmetic shop. There was an actual kpop store. I was so curious about these. They have so many albums in stock and most of the lightsticks too. So many posters and stuffed toys and other weird kpop merchandise. Not much apparel though, the only thing I would be interested in buying. They were out of Ateez enamel pins, so I purchased one for Seventeen. There was a Paris Baguette Cafe and a Korean Hot Dog stand. I wish I could have sampled those, but I was saving my appetite for a particular lunch.

We walked a few blocks north for lunch and found some interesting sites along the way. Andy learned about this strange tarot reading cafe called Cafe Jack. The owner is obsessed with Titanic and built a collection of nautical items to theme the place. Too bad it was closed. We had to make do with peeping over the fence.

I was absolutely delighted to find this bulletin for calligraphy club. It’s actually a secret ad for Ateez! The QR code takes you to The Real music video. I saw pictures of these in posted in Chicago too. I’m not sure if they are official marketing. Knowing how to labels operate and how the fans self-promote, I’m leaning towards it being a fan creation.

On to lunch! I had set my eyes on Monty’s Good Burgers. They have great reviews despite being a vegan restaurant. Lactose-free cheeseburger and shake? Yes please!

  • Pausing to check in for our flight home. Such a short trip!
  • Ohhh yeahhhh! Oatmilk Strawberry Shake!

We took our food down the road toward a “park” on the map, which really was a courtyard in front of some buildings. At least it was away from traffic and had a spot to sit. The food was delicious! I ooo-ed and mmm-ed so much about my shake, saying it was the best I’ve had in years. Amanda tried a sample and informed me that my taste must be ruined, because the shake was very oat-y and had the wrong mouthfeel. That may be true, but for vegan ice cream it gets top marks! It was worth the white, numb fingers that it gave me.

  • On the way I spotted this mural for one of the “Big Three” Kpop labels. Later I read that plans to build an SM museum and store here are on hold/stalled.
  • Delicious cheeseburger. Behind me was a cool looking historic theater.

We continued east toward another mini-mall to see another kpop store. Along the way we admired so many interesting buildings. Andy hunted down the former Brown Derby restaurant. I heard Ateez’s song Deja Vu playing in one of the restaurants that we passed and excitedly pointed it out to my sibs. This was so wild, to see and hear all these things associated with a music scene that I have only experienced online. In Colorado, it’s hard for me to find someone who likes even BTS, let alone any of these other groups that I enjoy. Here in K-town, there are posters, stores, murals, and songs playing on the radio!

  • Gorgeous flowers everywhere
  • Amanda exposing my photography tactics
  • Can you see us in the reflection?
  • Derbyish

We arrived at the shopping mall and ascended to the kpop store. They happened to be playing an Ateez song at that moment, ha! In the video I’m saying “This is the closing song on the show” (Turbulence).

The store had some different merch, but again, nothing I was interested in. Like the first store, they were sold out of Ateez enamel pins. It was fun to browse anyway, and they played some other new songs that I enjoy, such as Maverick by The Boyz and Feelin’ Like by Pentagon.

We explored H Mart and Amanda got candies for her students. We decided it was time to call a car to go back to the hotel. We needed to rest up for the big night!

On the way back we caught a glimpse of the Hollywood sign.