Dudung in Yeonnam-dong! Sanrio 'My Melody Popup Store' [Like It]

[Culture & Life Reporter Eunji Kim] Cute My Melody in Yeonnam-dong? You must visit here!

The adorable appearance, but not so young in age(?)?My Melody, who has now turned 45, stopped by Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Until August 9th, the global character brand Sanrio's popular character My Melody popup store "OPEN YOUR PINK" is being held at 8810 Ristretto Bar. "OPEN YOUR PINK" is themed around "Let's find the pink that expresses myself confidently with My Melody."

The My Melody popup store located in the alleys of Yeonnam-dong dazzled "Mamel fans (My Melody fans)" with its vibrant pink color, causing repeated cheers of "Kya!" The large My Melody poster spread out on the green grass served as the first photo zone before entering. Walking past the wide lawn, you can see the pink My Melody shouting "OPEN YOUR PINK." "Welcome, is this your first time meeting Korea's My Melody?"

#Step by step to My Melody

Fans of "Mamel" were lined up on the stairs, waiting their turn. In front of the main entrance, detailed "popup store guidelines" were posted. Accordingly, visitors wore masks, sanitized their hands, and underwent temperature checks. Then, they completed identity verification via QR code, following thorough quarantine procedures. This showed Sanrio's strict response measures.

The first floor was a caf?. Lovely drink cups, coasters, cakes, and more were prepared, and upon purchase, visitors could sit and enjoy their food and drinks on benches inside and outside, as well as at tables in the dream-like "My Melody Room." Caf? customers must order one menu item per person, and outside food is not allowed.

#My Melody is here, and Kuromi too

The "My Melody Room" was filled with My Melody dolls of various sizes. From large-sized to cute, hand-held sizes, and even a child in kindergarten uniform you’d want to place by your bedside, a lineup of My Melody dolls was available for photo time. Kuromi, the leader of the Chocomi group known to love pickled radish, was also there, making this place a paradise for "Mamel fans."

The class of "Mamel fans" was exceptional. Visitors roamed the popup store dressed in My Melody’s unique lovely outfits and accessories. Two 20-something university students, friends, enjoyed photo time wearing outfits matching My Melody and Kuromi concepts. They smiled brightly, saying, "We’re so happy." A university student in her early 20s wearing a flower-patterned dress came alone and said, "I love My Melody so much," asking for a photo. Seeing her shy smile while wearing a Kuromi headband naturally brought out an "auntie smile."

#This is the 'real' deal!

After taking photos with the plump My Melody plush dolls and enjoying drinks to boost the mood, what’s next? "Time to spend money!" The much-anticipated goods shop was prepared on basement level 1. Visitors check their number tickets received upon entry and visit at the designated time. For safety, single-file lines are maintained on the stairs! After snapping a few selfies with the neon-lit My Melody background, it’s time to enter the goods store.

The goods corner was a dream come true for "Mamel fans." Stickers, paper tapes, stationery, dolls, mugs, nameplates, wallets, keyrings, pouches... Fans hung their shopping baskets firmly on their wrists and began filling them one by one. From here and there came voices saying, "So cute," "What to do," "I have to buy this, right?"

#This is not the end!

At the My Melody popup store, you can also meet Sanrio’s representative characters including Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, Little Twin Stars, Kerokerokeroppi, as well as My Melody and Kuromi. Those who love Sanrio characters other than My Melody are also welcome to visit.

There was a hidden photo zone on basement level 1. In a space sparkling with blue light reminiscent of the Milky Way and yellow stars, visitors had the chance to take photos with Little Twin Stars. With a large mirror available, it was perfect for stylish mirror selfies. Outside the photo zone, there was a capsule toy machine, where the fun of turning the button to see what comes out was delightful. A coin exchange machine was also provided nearby.

*Quick Shopping TIP*

The "OPEN YOUR PINK" acrylic keyrings are Korea original art limited items. They are hard to purchase anywhere other than the Yeonnam-dong "My Melody" popup store, so please take note. The characters on the acrylic keyrings include My Melody, Kuromi, Little Twin Stars, and My Melody & Kuromi. The soft-textured nameplates are limited to one per person. Customers who purchase a nameplate receive free alphabet parts as a gift.

*One more quick Visiting TIP*

All customers who purchase products at the My Melody popup store receive a commemorative sticker as a gift. Don’t forget to take it. If you upload photos taken at the My Melody popup store on your personal SNS account with hashtags #MyMelody #MyMelodyPopupStore #OPENYOURPINK, you can receive a postcard on the first floor. For exact details, please inquire with the staff inside the My Melody popup store.

Meanwhile, Sanrio plans to continue marketing activities that will satisfy My Melody fans even more and to continuously release licensed products, starting with this popup store.

Photo by Reporter Taeyoon Kim