Between the music, the food and the energy, spending a day exploring K-Town turned out to be one of the most fun experiences I\u2019ve had in New York.<\/p>\n
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Easy access from Long Island<\/p>\n
Koreatown runs along West 32nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway, right across from Penn Station. It\u2019s an easy journey from Long Island on the Long Island Rail Road.<\/p>\n
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Everything is within a few blocks, so you can easily walk among shops, restaurants and karaoke spots without needing to plan ahead.<\/p>\n
Fall into the world of K-pop at K-Pop Nara<\/p>\n
Before this trip, my K-pop knowledge was limited to BTS and BLACKPINK. But walking into K-Pop Nara\u00a0(1263 Broadway, shop.kpopnara.com<\/a>) changed that instantly.<\/p>\n The walls are bursting with color, albums are stacked like art pieces and shelves are lined with key chains, stickers and plushies that could melt the heart of even the most casual fan.<\/p>\n K-Pop Nara carries albums, key chains, stickers and plushies for K-pop fans. Credit: Randee Daddona<\/p>\n The store was founded in 2022 by Lina Yi, who first opened a small K-pop shop inside her family’s Michigan restaurant with her sister. “Fans kept coming in asking about albums,” Yi said. “We built the store in two weeks, and it just took off.”<\/p>\n Now with partners Rosa Oh and YK Lee, 34-year-old Yi has opened nine K-Pop Nara stores nationwide (with a 10th on the way in Orlando), including a newer, larger space in Manhattan at 1237 Broadway opening in January.<\/p>\n “Every two weeks there\u2019s a concert, an album release or a fan event,” Yi said. “NYC is such an important city for the K-pop community<\/a> and we wanted to give fans a home base.”<\/p>\n And it really feels that way. The excitement is contagious \u2014 there\u2019s even an unboxing table where shoppers rip open new albums right in the store. “You\u2019ll hear screams from people who get their favorite member in a photo card,” Yi laughed.<\/p>\n Each album is a collectible art piece, with stickers, mini posters and key rings tucked inside. Le Sserafim\u2019s album “Spaghetti” takes the concept literally, available in boxes and cups that look just like a real takeout of noodles.<\/p>\n Then there are the light sticks \u2014 colorful, Bluetooth-connected cheering devices that blink in sync with concert music when brought to the venue. “It unifies the fandom,” Yi said. “You\u2019re part of the show.”<\/p>\n I couldn\u2019t resist joining in \u2014 I left with a BTS plushie and found myself dancing to the songs blasting through the store speakers. Even as a total K-pop newbie, I felt the pull of the community and creativity that fuels it.<\/p>\n Get\u00a0the K-beauty glow<\/p>\n If K-pop is the soundtrack of Koreatown, K-beauty is the glow.<\/p>\n Just down the block, I wandered into The Face Shop (25 W. 32nd St., thefaceshopny.com<\/a>, 212-967-0515), where the walls are lined with sheet masks, toners\u00a0and serums I\u2019d only ever seen online in foreign currencies.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re new to Korean skin care, start with a face mask or grab a bunch with their buy-10-get-five-free deal. The most popular is the Etude snail sheet mask ($2) and medicube pink collagen gel mask ($5). You can also ask the staff to build a simple routine; they\u2019re pros at helping first-timers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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Fried chicken and karaoke at Turntable LP Bar<\/p>\n