I read an article yesterday talking about how 20% of the electronics market is empty now because the merchant could not compete with internet pricing. I also read something saying that the Saturday flea market is still worth it.

I would like to get some input on both of these from folks that have been here longer than 2 weeks!

Also, what is at Namdeum (spelling??) market, and should I visit that? I think I am actually closer to that one than I am to the elec. market, but distance is not really an issue to me.

SAME DISTANCE EITHER WAY FOR YOU- I will be going to the electronic market tomorrow morning. Anyone wanting to take a walking tour meet me just outside gate 19 tomorrow (SATURDAY 26th) at 0945. wear something red or orange. low heels, walking shoes backpack, camera, phrase book, folding umbrella & water is recommended. Rain or shine. I'll have an orange cap! Gate 19 is by Yongsan Post Office, at SHIN YONGSAN Subway Stop #430. Bring 10,000 won in case of emergency. (You might want a souvenir or ice cream!)

I would love to do that, but I am at work. Perhaps next weekend?

It would be cheaper then bying things from an american website. Korean websites are cheaper, but you prob wouldn't be able to buy from them. I saw a 60G hard drive on post for over $100, but I got a 200G off post for under $100. So it's worth it. By father is a computer programer, I'm having him send me a list of what he wants and I will mail it back. It's would still eb cheaper then him buying in the states.

Taichan says she can get everything cheaper by mail, and believes it is not worth it. I suspect one could get that idea if they only went to the retail places in the Electronics market. Those are great places to look, but I go to the wholesale stores, slightly off the beaten path, and not frequented by most foreigners. Watch out for any custom duties that may need to be paid in the US if you send components.
If you know what you want, it can be found, and we can get two or three prices at as many stores. There is also a used parts or board market. Best idea, make a list of what you are looking for, and we'll take a run over there some weekend. I believe by careful shopping, one can generally get a reasonable price. Software apparently is available at various costs, but,like buying a dog, the pedigree may be suspect. if you have your own genuine copy of XP, I would go with that.

NamDaeMun means literally 'South Big Gate" called South Gate. It used to be the South Gate of the old city. A very famous landmark. There is a great market there that cannot be seen in one day. Lots of clothing, foodstuff, household goodies, bags, backpacks, souveniers of all sorts. The $40 belts at the big stores can be had here for $5 if you happen upon the right street vendor who is selling them on a blanket he just unfolded in the alleyway. Neckties, clocks,chinese watches, etc. and more. Take a bottle of water.

DongDaeMun is "East Gate", and is almost all clothing and shoes and sporting goods. Furniture and other goodies not too far away. Another area that will take 3 days to see properly.

Once you get off the subway is it easy to find? Where is a good market or other town to find nice Korean furniture?

Shin Yongsan is beside gate 19. Look up across the big street and you will see a big sign that says I- PARK & E-MART and that will be Yongsan Station, 2 blocks away. Pay attention, as there are no English signs to help you find directions. Looking at a subway map, you can't tell that Shinyongsan (on the Blue Line at stop 429), is only two blocks from Yongsan Station! (135 on the NAVY Blue Line. Someday they should connect by an underground Mall. Exit 2,4 or 6, I believe, out of Shinyongsan stop will put you in Yongsan Station in two blocks. To go from Yongsan Station to Shin Yongsan and on in to Gate 19 of the Army Post, a 20 minute walk, go out exit 1 from Yongsan Station, down the OUTSIDE ESCALATOR, and directly across the street,turn left, go two blocks, turn right, go one block and down the nearest subway entrance into Shin Yongsan Station. up the exit nearest the ticket window will put you at the Post Office,where you turn right and Gate 19 will be at the end of the street. DO NOT ENTER ANY BAR OR ENTERTAINMENT AREA ON THE STREETS BETWEEN SHINYONGSAN AND THE YONGSAN STATION ITSELF. The area is mostly off limits to military.
If you want to tour Yongsan Station and the new restaurants and Department Store and Electronics Store (Retail), as well as E-Mart downstairs, that is a nice air conditioned trip. Don't forget the second basement in the back of E-Mart for groceries & food!
Out in back of Yongsan Station is the Electronics market. The largest buildings have furniture upstairs, and movie theaters and restaurants. Don't expect bargains, this is for tourists. (The underground electronics market is off to the side and across the street.) You will need a Korean speaker or some fluency to get by over there.

Coming to Seoul from the Hump or Osan?

For out of towners and newbies;
If you are chicken hearted, ride the Base Bus, pay $16 for a round trip. See Yongsan and maybe Itaewon. Go back the same way.
Are you adventurous? Ride the Subway! Come without a Korean friend. Expect to come home after dark. Write your story here later for us all to enjoy. You will have a safe trip, but without a Korean speaker, it will be frustrating. Bring a buddy, and come anyway!
Come on up on the Subway and see Seoul. All you need is won and a subway map!
Not really! From Songtan it is an hour and a half or so, and is a real bargain at less than 2000won one way. I recommend:
1. Bring a buddy.
2. Backpacks, map, water, kleenex (TP) snack crackers,etc. sunglasses, hat. Camera is a nice option. Plastic shopping bag, in case you go to Emart or a dept. store and buy something. (Bags are 750 won).
3. First trip-get off at Yongsan Station. Pay attention to exactly where you got off and be able to retrace your steps to return! Spend an hour or so around the station building and stores. Out the back ramp is the electronics Center. Know how to get back in the station and how to say Songtan and Suwon! If you get in the wrong line, you may pay $8 for a fast train! (It is faster, and has a toilet.)
3. Bored? want clean cheap food? go down the Escalator in front of the station, walk one block, go down and across Shinyongsan Station and up the other side, out Exit 1. You will be 30 feet from a street that goes behind Yongsan Post Office (Tan Building in front of you.) Turn right, go about a block and you will be at Gate 19. Walk in and wait for the bus, or walk up the hill turn at the first right, and you will be at the 121st Hospital! (During meal hours, it is the best place to eat! ) Eating outside the gate may not be so sanitary, so use caution.
4.. Remember that to get back, you want the Navy Blue Line, the only one to Songtan. (There are two blue lines, one Navy Blue, one blue!) When you look at the numbers on the side of the stations, you will see that Yongsan is 135. Navy Blue Line Stations all begin with 1xx. If you see 235 or 425, etc, you are on the wrong line. Get off at the next station and ask. Any time you Exit ("Way Out") and go through a toll gate, you must pay again to get back in. so don't exit unless you are sure. Stay in the area and look for a map. Asking a stranger will usually get you wrong directions and more confused. They all will attempt to help, but, like New Yorkers, most do not know the system-only how to get home and back! They will often smile, and point in any direction. Saying "I don't know" is not a part of the Korean culture! Going in the wrong direction is easy to do, yet easy to remedy. Dont panic. if you are at 135, and want to go to Songtan, you need to get on the southbound train. If you get on, and the next station is 134, you are going toward Seoul Station. get off, and walk up and across and down on the next steps- look on the wall and see the arrow in front of the number. If it points to Yongsan, get on and stay on. Sometimes,when you get to Guro or Geumchong, your train will stop. Start asking for Suwon until you get to a ticket booth. Ask again. The sign on the front of the train should say Cheonan.