Awesome Things About Korea #30: Stationery stores

Stationery stores here are a treasure trove of arts and crafts fun.  Walking up and down the aisles, you can discover scores of pens, notebooks, office supplies, and other miscellaneous items you never knew you wanted or needed until that moment.  You might embark on a mission to find "just one thing" but find yourself drawn in by all the choices that await you.  Before you know it, an hour has passed and you still haven't found the item you were looking for in the first place.

Out of the many stationery stores I've frequented in the past four years, I think my personal favorites are Artbox and Alpha.  The stationery area at Yoongpoong Bookstore is also worthy of note for its selection.  The aforementioned stores not only carry your basic office and school supplies, they offer candy, clothes, small electronics, picture frames, hair accessories, jewelry, and DIY art projects.

Even if you're not looking for something in particular at that moment, taking a stroll down the aisles might conjure up some future present ideas for friends and family.

Purchases from Alpha, one of my favorite stationery stores in Korea.  And yes, that is a chick mouse-pad.