Hyang Music (CLOSED)

Back in the day, record stores used to only play the good music. These music oases prospered in locations like Sanga Records in Apgujeong and Tower Records in Gangnam Station. At their zenith there were more than 5,000 locations. Although most of the physical stores disappeared as the music industry went digital, Hyang Music is still going strong in Sinchon since their doors opened in 1991. Kim Gun-hill, CEO of Hyang Music, was only helping the thenowner of the store in Dongdaemun in 1989, until he opened a store in Sinchon two years later. Upon entering through the doors, you can see one of the employees writing today’s new albums and artists on the whiteboard. The place is small, but it’s packed full of CDs, LPs and cassette tapes. Hyang Music carries a wide variety of domestic and foreign indie bands, as well as their exclusive live albums. Though their online mall makes up the majority of their sales, the Sinchon venue still remains the playground for music nerds.