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      • Haeundae Beach (해운대 해수욕장) in Busan, Korea
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      • BIFF Square (BIFF 광장) & Kakao Friends, Busan, South Korea
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BIFF Square (BIFF 광장) & Kakao Friends, Busan, South Korea

BIFF Square in Nampodong, Busan, South Korea

Introduction to Nampodong Area

Nampodong was once considered the downtown of Busan, South Korea. Now it shares the fame with Seomyeon and Centum City in Haeundae, but it is still one of the busiest areas in Busan with many attractions: BIFF Square, Gwangbokro Culture and Fashion Street, and more.



BIFF Square (BIFF 광장)

Location

15-1, Nampo-dong 3(sam)-ga, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea

Getting There

Take subway Line 1 (Orange Line) and get off at Jagalchi station (자갈치/116). Exit 7.

Admission (Entrance Fee)

Free

Klook.com

BIFF Square, The Birthplace of the Busan Movie Industry

While this area was the heart of Busan’s movie businesses once, the fame is not as glorious as before due to Dureraum in Centum City and many multiplex cinemas over the whole city. And yet, the square is definitely worth visiting because of its energetic atmosphere, proximity to Gukje Market, Kkangtong market and Jagalchi Market, and, of course, Ssiat Hotteok.

Jagalchi station of Busan Subway

Among several ways of public transportation to visit BIFF Square, the subway would be the easiest. Take subway Line 1, the orange line, and get off at Jagalchi station.

Subway Exit to Biff Square at Jagalchi Subway Station

Go out through Exit 7. You will get to BIFF Square.

Road sign of BIFF Square in Nampodong

Beginning with Busan Theater, a couple of cinemas started to open in Nampodong after Korean Independence in 1945. Later the number reached almost 20 in the 1960s. That was the beginning of Nampodong Cinema Neighborhood. When Busan International Film Festival started in 1996, the area got a new name of BIFF Square (BIFF 광장).  

At BIFF (Busan International Film Festival) Square, the “BIFF Square Ground Opening” is held on the eve of the festival each year including handprints of movie celebrities. 

Megabox Busan Cinema in Nampodong

Busan Theater (부산극장) is the very first movie theater in Busan.

Handprints of movie stars at BIFF Square, Busan, South Korea

The hands of recognized people in the film industry have been printed and commemorated on the BIFF Square, including Ennio Morricone, Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, and Lee Jangho.

alley near BIFF Square in Busan, South Korea
BTS characters on window of retail shop
Guess who 😉
Food stalls (pojangmacha) in Nampodong, Busan, South Korea
Honey Butter Almond, Korean Snack, stacked at Korean supermarket
Back alley of Nampodong, Busan's original downtown

Gwangbokro Culture and Fashion Street

Nampodong shopping street in Busan, South Korea

Gwangbokro Culture and Fashion Street has been one of the most fashionable places in Busan.  When people mention Nampodong as the original downtown, Gwangbokro has always been a part of it. The name translates as “Independence Road,” which you may assume that the name was derived from the historical background of Korea.

The place had kept its fame as the most busiest and crowded part of Busan for a long time. Now, it seems that the center of Busan has moved to Haeundae and Seomyeon, didn’t someone say, “a diamond on a dunghill is a precious diamond still”?

Gwangbokro in Busan, Korea
Christmas decoration on Nampodong Street

The street is still dotted with a good mixture of well-known global brands, Korean fashion brands, K-Beauty shops, hair salons, and more. It’s not surprising that this is one of the most visited places in Busan by international visitors. Shopping through the long street in a cheering mood is another experience from shopping at department stores. 

Christmas Tree at Nampodong Christmas Tree Festival

Gwangbokro Fashion and Culture Street and Nampodong area attract a big crowd, especially during the holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree Festival. The area sparkles with Christmas lights and gets filled with Christmas music and holiday spirit.

Street art on Nampodong Street
Street art at Gwangbokro street in Busan
Photo zone with street sculpture on Gwangbokro
Busan Tower from Nampodong street
You can look up Busan Tower at Yongdusan Park from Nampodong.

Kakao Friends Flagship Store in Busan

Location

62, Gwangbok-ro, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea

Getting There

Take subway Line 1 (Orange Line) and get off at Nampo station (남포/116). Exit 1 and walk about 400 meters (1,300 feet). Or, get off at Jagalchi station (자갈치/116). Exit 7. And walk all through BIFF square and Gwangbokro bound to Lotte Department Store Gwangbok.

Hours

Everyday12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Contact

Phone: +82-51-256-0815
Website: Kakao Friends Stores Page

Kakao Friends at Busan Flagship Store
Kakao Friends, Flagship Store in Nampodong, Busan, South Korea

If you are interested in life in South Korea, you have probably heard of KakaoTalk or KaTalk (카톡). It is the most used messenger in South Korea by far – its market share reaches almost 87%. The company behind this super-successful messenger and other popular apps is Kakao. Kakao Friends are the characters that the company created and promoted, and apparently, they have become quite popular among younger generations. The characters originally started as emojis on KakaoTalk but they are virtually on everything related to Kakao as their popularity grows. 

You can buy Kakao Friends goods and items online (link) or at its 27 stores (link). Busan store in Nampodong is one of its three flagship stores. It is a 4-story building and literally filled with Kakao Friends goods from daily accessories and AirPods cases to pajamas (yes, pajamas.) On the 4th floor, it has a cafe named after one of its characters, Apeach. If you are a fan of something cute and colorful, the store is worth stopping by.

Kakao Friend, Apeach
APEACH: Mischievous Peach
Kakao Friend, Ryan
RYAN: Mature Lion
Kakao Friend, Muzi and Con
MUZI: Optimistic Danmuji & CON: Mysterious Crocodile
Kakao Friend, Tube
TUBE: Timid Duck
Kakao Friend, Frodo and Neo
FRODO: Rich Uptown Dog & NEO: Stylish Cat
Kakao Friend, Jay-G
JAY-G: Secret Agent Mole
Apeach Cafe at Kakao Friends Flagship Store
Miniature of Kakao Friends

More Things to Do in or near Nampodong

Stairway to Yongdusan Park, Busan, South Korea

BIFF Square and Gwangbokro Culture and Fashion Street are at the center of points of interest in the so-called Wondosim (원도심/the original downtown area of Busan). Right next to the BIFF Square two famous traditional markets welcome visitors: Gukje Market and Bupyeong Market. These markets are the important parts of Busan’s modern history and they still carry them. If you watch a movie, “Gukjesijang (국제시장/Ode to Father),” it could help to understand the story behind it. If you are a fan of fresh seafood, you cannot miss Jagalchi Market right across the street from BIFF Square. It is the largest seafood market in South Korea. 

An escalator will lead you up to Youngdusan Park (용두산 공원) from Gwangbokro. The escalator is 87 meters long and will make your short trip even more enjoyable with neon signs. You can also visit the Busan Modern History Museum (Currently Closed). The building was originally used as the Busan Branch of the Oriental Development Company during the Japanese occupation, but later it was recreated for the museum.

Lotte Mall Gwangbok Store in Busan

  • Planning a trip to South Korea? Click here to find more destinations here.
  • Do you want to study in South Korea? Here is a basic guide to start with.
  • Want to learn about Korean culture and more? Click here to find more information about it.
  • Trying to learn Korean language? I have some interesting real expressions for you.
  • A big fan of Korean food? How about some Korean noodles?

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