It works as a “creative public culture space” that aims to support teenagers, social entrepreneurs, artists and local vendors. The cluster is divided into various spaces, including the Youth Stand, where it supports teenagers for job training and employment. Likewise, the Mom Stand offers job opportunities for women, as well as healthy home cooking training to fellow mothers.

The Art Stand plays an important role in aiding the artists, from offering a debut stage, to supporting cultural events. The Power Stand is to assist new startups in starting their own business, including consulting, mentoring, technical support, as well as a cool co-working space for rent.

For visitors like us, you may find interesting products and designer goods at the Open Stand and the Social Stand. Open Stand is a platform to showcase products from young and talented designers, as well as artists’ work. I found a really comfortable designer shoe label by two young ladies, and their tailor-made shoes are simply amazing. I am thinking of getting a pair or two for myself soon!

The Social Stand, however, is a space where the community sets up social entrepreneurs’ trade fairs, farmers markets, with the aim to introduce eco-friendly products and lifestyle gadgets that “make a difference in life”. I got my mum some handmade soap made from organic kale, lettuce and basil from Farmplayground 동구밭. The packaging, price and product are all up to satisfactory.

I was there on a weekday afternoon. It was a little quiet compared to Common Ground, but the majority of the visitors were local. What I like about this place is that it is not only about attracting foreigners and making an extreme profit out of it but a comprehensive space that serves various purposes from buying local, to workshops, events, exhibition and even education, which makes the space brimming with charm.

Similar to Common Ground, most of the restaurants and cafe are located on the 2nd-floor terrace. I didn’t dine in there as I have plans elsewhere. Overall, this is a very local space to check out and support, if you’re up to visit a new place in Seoul. It gives off some sense of local uniqueness, which I find very attractive. It is definitely a trendy place to visit in Seoul in 2017!

The community takes effort in organising various event each month. You may check out their official website below at the contact details section below for event listing. They do not have the info in English though, the English tabs will give you a certain idea of what’s going on there.

The cluster is not very big to explore. You might spend about 30 minutes to 2 hours here, depending on your interest level in the activities, products, exhibition and performances offered here. I’ll recommend you to stop by before visiting the Seoul Forest which is famous for its Cherry Blossom in Spring, or just check out the nostalgic and beautiful Seongsu neighbourhood, where the hipsters of Seoul are currently hanging out at.

Contact Details:

Under Stand Avenue 언더스텐드에비뉴
63,Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Bundang Line K211 Seoul Forest Station, Exit 3)
서울 성동구 왕십리로 63 (성수동 1가 685-704)

Directions:

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Where?

Nestled in the eastern end of Seoul, this place is slightly off the beaten path. It is not exactly near Gyeongbok Palace, Insa-dong, Myeongdong, Hongdae or Seoul Station (places that perhaps a 1st -time visitor would most likely go). Therefore, if this site sounds interesting to you, I’d suggest you make at least half a day off your schedule, and have the nearby Children’s Grand Park (어린이대공원) in the itinerary (if you are travelling during Spring and Autumn), and experience the buzzing nightlife at Konkuk University Station area to make your trip worthwile.

What?

You may find quirky, young designer brands here in the blue containers, and sorry, no, you won’t be able to get mainstream brands here at common ground (As of 2017), so all these added a somewhat “hipster” atmosphere to the place. Since it is very near to Konkuk University, it is known to be a hangout for the university students. There are food truck areas at the central square market, and also restaurants at the 3rd-floor terrace. You may also find exhibitions, performances and events held in this space. Here’re some of the photos during my visits over the years:

If you ask me if Common Ground is really worth your trip down, I would say yes, and no. Over the years, this place has gone too “mainstream” it starts to lose its originality. This place somehow reminds me of Myeongdong. Well, to some people, Myeongdong feels like Korea. But to some other people, especially the locals, many parts of it feels foreign. One man’s meat is another’s poison. For me, this place is gradually losing its charm due to its popularity.

However, the idea of shopping and eating inside the container is fun, and something relatively uncommon in Singapore. So if that’s what you’re looking for, you will enjoy this place nonetheless. There’s also a newly opened shipping container cluster some 2.6KM away, which is called the Under Stand Avenue. This trendy new place has a stronger sense of locality and is best visited during the weekend as of 2017.

I have also listed down the Yays and Nays of visiting Common Ground. Hopefully, it’ll help you decide better.

Yay.

• You get to do some shopping in the containers! Some of the designer shops are worth your time to check out.
• Get a peek into South Korean university life – those vibrant, carefree vibes make me young again!
• Instagram-worthy. Need I say more?
• Remember to check out other places around the Konkuk University area together, as this area is famous for its good food without the hefty price tag and interesting pubs. Chinese food (jjajjang myun and lamb skewers) is cheap here too!

Nay.

• Clothing prices are not exactly cheap. But if you are good at spotting great promotions, you may still get some cheap buys.
• Depending on where you stay, this place could take more than 40 mins. ride on a subway. If your aim is to shop, Hongdae/ Ehwa/ Gangnam or Garosugil would probably fare better.
• Hipster feel? Not too sure when it’s already quite “mainstream”.

Contact Details:

Common Ground 커먼그라운드
200, Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul (Konkuk University Exit 6, Line 2 or 7)
서울특별시 광진구 아차산로 200 (자양동17-11)
Tel: +82 2 467 2747
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 10:00pm