PRESS
Visiting the Idus Store in Suji: A Handmade Platform Expanding Offline
Oct
YONGIN, South Korea —
Yesterday, despite the rain, I visited the Idus store located at Seongbok Station in Suji-gu, Yongin.
Idus: A Leading Handmade Platform in South Korea
Idus is widely recognized as one of South Korea’s leading handmade marketplaces.
Originally launched as a mobile application, the platform grew rapidly by bringing together independent creators who design and sell their own handmade products. Idus introduced a creator-friendly policy that waived commission fees for sellers whose sales remained below a certain level. Over time, the company expanded significantly and even acquired Tumblbug, a well-known Korean crowdfunding platform.
While often compared to Etsy, the global handmade marketplace, Idus has effectively localized the concept for the Korean market and has become one of the most influential platforms for handmade creators in the country.
From Online Platform to Offline Stores
As part of its expansion, Idus began opening physical retail spaces.
The company launched its first offline store in Insadong, followed by a second location in Lotte Mall Suji, and recently opened a third store in Guro.
These physical spaces allow customers to experience handmade products in person—something that cannot always be fully appreciated through an online platform alone.
An Unexpected Visit to Solve a Small Problem
I regularly communicate with the Idus store manager several times each month. Recently, the manager had requested that I send several items to the store.
However, I accidentally included those items in a parcel intended for one of my customers.
When the manager received the parcel, he called to let me know that the items he requested were missing.
Since my office is located in Youngtong, the drive to Suji is not very far. Still, I had never actually visited the store before, often telling myself that I was too busy.
Instead, I would occasionally ask acquaintances who visited the store to check on the display of Ukiuki products and send me photos.
Yesterday, with no particular plans scheduled, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to visit the Idus store at Lotte Mall Suji—both to resolve the parcel issue and to see the store for myself.
Discovering the Store Layout
The Idus store is located on the 4th floor of Lotte Mall Suji.
The drive from Youngtong to Suji is filled with hills, with roads constantly going up and down along the way.
After parking, I headed up to the fourth floor. As soon as I arrived, I noticed TGI Fridays, and just beside it was a BASILUR tea café.
The café immediately caught my attention. The interior was filled with calming blue tones and shelves of books, creating a quiet and cozy atmosphere. If I had more time, I would have loved to sit there with a cup of tea and read for a while.
Unfortunately, I had to move quickly.
When I turned around, I spotted the Idus store in the center of the floor.
At first, I was surprised.
I had assumed it would be a fully enclosed store like Artbox or Daiso. Instead, the space was designed with an open layout, allowing visitors to freely walk through the displays.
That moment also helped me understand something.
The store occasionally receives reports of missing items, and the open structure makes it easier to see why such incidents can occur. As a precaution, there are CCTV notices displayed throughout the store.
Fortunately, it seems there have been no recent incidents of lost items for several months.
Ukiuki Products at Idus
Within the store, Ukiuki’s 5g products are displayed on the left side, while the 50g products are placed beside them.
Seeing the products consistently stocked and steadily purchased by customers is something I feel deeply grateful for.
Interestingly, many customers first discover our products at Idus and later return to purchase again through our official website.
For creators, Idus provides a valuable opportunity. Although operating a physical store can be expensive, the platform gives creators a dedicated space to showcase their work and connect with new customers.
Another important customer group includes parents who are busy raising children. Many of them may not have the time to browse mobile shopping apps, so they prefer visiting a store in person, exploring products directly, and making purchases there.
For that reason, having a physical retail space like Idus can be especially meaningful.
A Store Full of Handmade Creativity
Idus stores are designed as spaces dedicated to handmade creators, featuring a wide variety of unique and charming products.
During my visit, I also noticed a themed section called “FunFun Walk,” which represents a cheerful and joyful stroll. The display included various pet-related products such as dog clothing, harnesses, and other accessories.
Because this neighborhood has a large population of pet owners, many pet-related items were available throughout the store.
Underneath some displays, there was even a refrigerated section for handmade foods, allowing customers to purchase fresh, chilled products on the spot.
A Place for Special Handmade Gifts
With its wide selection of handmade goods and creative products, the Idus store offers visitors a unique shopping experience.
If you are looking for a special gift or something unique, Idus is a place worth visiting.
Everything there is handmade.
And that is exactly what makes Idus special.
