Manila, Philippines; April 2023 – Filipinos have embraced all things of the Hallyu wave. Kdrama, KPop, food, and fashion—what’s not to love about South Korea? Whether you’re heading to go on a pilgrimage to your favorite idol group, or just can’t wait to immerse yourself in their culture, it can’t be denied Filipinos have put the country high on top of their travel bucket list.
GCash has now made it easier and hassle-free to roam the country without worrying about running out of Korean Won or having to hastily exchange money and paying pricey foreign exchange fees. If you’re planning a trip to South Korea, make sure to include the following retail partners where you can pay with GCash to your list.
Shop!
Lotte Duty-Free
Give yourself a day or two to properly explore Lotte Duty Free—you won’t regret it! Boasting the most brands and goods in South Korea, Lotte Duty Free is a haven for tourists seeking the best brands of the country at the most attractive prices. Found in several locations in South Korea, also be on the lookout for exclusive items that you can only find on their shelves, such as collabs with popular idol groups.
Shinsegae Duty Free
Enjoy the first ever duty free store from one of the biggest names in retail in South Korea! Once the Shinsegae Chaebol opened their first department store in 1930, they never looked back. And they were the first department store in the country, too!
Shinsegae Duty Free is a stone’s throw away from their first and main shopping mall, and you’ll find everything you want, from luxury goods to affordable finds, from electronics to character goods. There’s even an art space inside!
LINE FRIENDS – Flagship Store
If you’re someone who gets excited seeing cute knick-knacks, then you’re definitely going to love the super cute characters of LINE FRIENDS. This global character brand can trace their popularity from Japan, where the Line App came from, and also from Naver, the internet search company that’s numero uno in SK—yup, it’s not Google!
LINE FRIENDS have their mainstay characters called Brown & Friends, but they also carry BT21, the super popular characters of the world-famous idol group and South Korea’s pride, BTS. Find these characters in merch ranging from notepads to bags, and everything in between!
Eat!
Hai Di Lao
You can’t go to South Korea without going on a food trip! Don’t miss out on the world-famous street food and convenience store treats in SK, and make sure to visit the hot pot restaurant Hai Di Lao. One of the largest hotpot chains hailing from China, Hai Di Lao is now found in different countries, including South Korea. Expect one of the widest hotpot varieties you’ll ever find in Hai Di Lao—make sure to come on an empty stomach!
Starbucks, Hongdae neighborhood
The coffee and café culture in South Korea is well-known—you can’t walk a few steps without running into a quaint café to step into SK. If you’re looking for the comforts of a familiar place though, Starbucks in Seoul can rival such quaint cafes. Make sure to check out the exclusive merch that can only be found in South Korea, and to try their seasonal drinks.
Pay with GCash
Pay your way through these places with GCash which is now available in over 1 million Alipay+ merchants across Asia and in key countries including Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Qatar. GCash is the way to control your budget when you’re outside the Philippines—enjoy real-time forex, zero service fees and get access to exclusive deals all inside the app!
Simply look for the Alipay+ sign and you can pay with GCash! After logging into the GCash app, select the QR or PayQR button at the bottom of the screen. Scan the merchant’s QR code, or tap “Pay Abroad with Alipay+” to have the merchant scan your generated QR. Then check the amount, and click Pay to see the receipt. No more traveling with large sums of money—you get to travel light and get deals and discounts from different places, but with the same payment. Go with GCash!
To learn more about paying with GCash in South Korea, tap the “A+ Rewards” page in the app and select South Korea as your destination.
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