Sleep when you die

Dongdaemun Night Market (around Dongdaemun History and Culture Park) is still the stomping grounds for latenight shoppers. Come 10pm, from exits 3 to 10 of the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park station, all the way around the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, you will see the yellow tents setting up shop. Once known as the mecca of knock-offs, the number of tents has since dwindled, but it is still a sight for first-time visitors. T-shirts, pants and socks all go for less than 10,000 won, and cash rules at this hour. Neighboring shopping malls such as Doota (Doosan Tower), Migliore and Hello APM are for regular shoppers, while places like Nuzzon, U:Us and Designer Club are mostly for wholesalers. Though the latter options offer cheaper prices they do not sell items individually, while the economy has forced some of the shops to do both retail and wholesale. Shops open at 12am, and are most idle from 3–5am. There is another market that opens late. The flower market on the third floor of the Seoul Express Bus Terminal (194, Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho-gu) runs from Monday through Saturday. They officially open shop at 1am, and you will find hydrangeas, peonies and gypsophilia amongst other floral delights. If you’re driving, there’s a parking lot right across from the shops, and parking is free.