The 10 Best Things To Do At Starfield COEX Mall

Last Updated on April 18, 2026

Starfield COEX Mall (스타필드 코엑스몰) is one of the largest underground shopping malls in the world and it sits right in the heart of Gangnam in Seoul. But calling it just a shopping mall is like calling Gyeongbokgung Palace just a building, technically accurate and entirely missing the point.

A jack-of-all-trades mall, COEX has an aquarium, a stunning library that is one of the most photographed spots in Seoul, a cinema, airport check-in facilities, a casino open to foreigners, changing exhibitions, public art, and directly across the street, one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in the city. It works equally well as a planned half-day destination or as a spontaneous place to escape the rain, the summer heat, or the winter cold.

For a broader look at what else the Gangnam area offers, read the complete Gangnam guide. If you’re building an itinerary for kids, the Starfield Library and COEX Aquarium both feature prominently in the things to do in Seoul with kids guide.

Plan an amazing trip to COEX now:

• How to get to COEX
• Basic Info
• Where To Stay
• How big is Starfield COEX Mall?
• The Top 10 Things To Do At COEX Mall
• What To Do Nearby
• FAQ

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How to get there

Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 강남구 영동대로 513)

By subway: Samseong Station on Line 2, Exits 5 or 6 connect directly to the mall. Bongeunsa Station, Exit 7 also works.

COEX has 154,000 square meters of total area, with 144,000 square meters on a single underground floor. Wear comfortable shoes.

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Basic Info

Days: Open year round

Hours: 10:30am ~ 10:00pm

Amenities: Infant lounges for feeding are available as well as baby strollers are available for rental. Wheelchairs are also available for rental.

Parking Information: Car: W3,000 per 30 mins/ W1,500 per 15 minutes.

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Where To Stay

If you’re headed to Starfield COEX Mall for a convention or just want to stay in the area, you can. We recently stayed there when we spent the day at Lotte World and then wanted to make a weekend of it in the area but wanted to enjoy the Starfield Library and eats inside COEX.

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The Top 10 Things To Do At COEX Mall

When you hear the word ‘mall’ you might think that all there is to do is shop. And yes, you can absolutely spend the day shopping at Starfield COEX Mall, but there is also way more to do than just shop as well.

1. Visit the COEX Aquarium

One of the best aquariums in Korea, the COEX Aquarium (코엑스 아쿠아리움) spans environments from the Caribbean to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It has the largest shark collection in Korea, 183 display tanks, 90 breeding tanks, and 650 different species. If you’re visiting with children, plan to spend at least two hours here, boredom genuinely isn’t possible.

• Admission: Adults: W32,000; Children: W28,000. Pre-purchase your tickets on Klook to take advantage of great discounts.
• Hours: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm

2. Spend Time at the Starfield Library

The Starfield Library (별마당도서관) is one of the most photographed spaces in Seoul and it’s completely free. Thousands of books stacked in towering columns rise through an open atrium, with reading areas, magazines in multiple languages (around 600 titles including foreign publications), and rotating exhibitions in the central space throughout the year.

The central installation changes seasonally, during the Christmas period it becomes one of the most impressive holiday light displays in the city, with a tree installation that draws visitors specifically for this. In other seasons the installation shifts to artistic sculptures and themed displays.

• Tip: This is not your typical library. It’s not quiet. The books on the upper shelves aren’t real. It’s equally made for local enjoyment and to create an Instagrammable view so keep that in mind when you visit.
• Admission: Free

3. Shop

COEX is home to the unique underground shopping mall full of wacky gift ships and bizarre food in its spacious world. It’s one of the best places in Seoul to shop-til-you-drop. With over 70 shops for clothing, it can be pretty daunting to find what you are looking for. Luckily, there are classics like H&M, NBA, Nike, The North Face, Levi’s, and many others you should be acquainted with. You can also try your hand at some of the less-known brands if you are feeling to mix things up as well.

Fashion accessories shops are also available with places like VANS and New Era and another 20 plus options to explore just on the first floor below the ground.  Kakao Friends is even there because of course it is! Need a haircut? The Majesty Barber Shop have you covered. Phone stores and pharmacies are also available. You have nearly everything you can need at one location!

4. See a Film at Megabox

Megabox is one of the largest cinema chains in Korea and the COEX branch is one of the biggest in the city. If you want to see a Korean film, not subtitled for foreigners, just in Korean, this is a good opportunity. Foreign films are shown in their original language with Korean subtitles, so English-language films are perfectly watchable. VIP lounges and membership options are available for a more premium experience.

• Hours: 8:00am ~ 12:30am

5. Check In for Your Flight at the COEX City Airport Terminal

One of the most useful things most visitors don’t know about COEX: there is an urban airport check-in terminal inside the mall. If you’re staying in the Gangnam area and flying out of Incheon International Airport, you can check your bags and get your boarding pass at COEX, then take a limousine bus directly to the airport without hauling luggage through the city.

Verify which airlines currently offer this service and the operating hours before counting on it, urban check-in services have had operational changes in recent years. The read the complete guide to getting from Incheon Airport to Seoul for current transport options.

6. Try Your Luck at Seven Luck Casino

The Seven Luck Casino inside COEX operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with 78 game tables covering blackjack, poker, roulette, and other classics. It also functions as a bar and restaurant serving Korean dishes, noodles, soups, and some international items.

The important thing to know: casinos in Korea are only accessible to foreigners and Koreans who have permanent residency abroad. Korean nationals cannot enter. This makes Seven Luck genuinely foreigner-friendly and a good place to meet other international visitors. The minimum age is 19.

• Days: Open 365 days of the year
• Hours: 24 hours
• Website: Seven Luck Casino

7. Check What’s On at COEX Convention

COEX is the largest exhibition organizer in Korea, hosting more than 20 international trade shows annually. The lineup rotates constantly, design fairs, beauty industry expos, consumer product shows, and more. The Seoul Living Design Fair (running since 1994) and Intercharm Korea (the largest professional beauty platform in Korea) are two of the recurring annual events worth checking in on.

Check the COEX Convention Center schedule before your visit, sometimes the best thing about going to COEX is whatever happens to be on that week.

8. Explore the Public Art

Public art pieces are scattered throughout COEX, both inside the mall and in the outdoor areas. The most famous is the Gangnam Style hands sculpture outside the building, a bronze cast of the signature Psy dance move that has become one of the most photographed spots in Gangnam. Verify it’s still in its original location before building your visit around it. Inside, the first floor has further installations and design pieces worth a wander.

9. Eat

The dining options at COEX cover most cravings. For burgers, No Brand Burger is the local Korean fast-food option worth trying. Devil’s Door runs a slightly more elevated American-style menu with three main options including its Chicago-style pizza. Belly Button covers Korean BBQ.

In the cafe category, Starbucks Reserve (the premium format), Paul Basset, and Gabaedo (known for tiramisu and matcha lattes) are the main stops. For something closer to a food court experience, the back section of the mall has more traditional Korean options.

Stop By A Bookstore

A well-known name lurks beneath the surface of COEX. It’s none other than YP Books! A place of culture, rest, and fun. They have stationery products, Korean books of all kinds, as well as foreign books so everyone can enjoy their time there. Once you have purchased something meaningful to you, feel free to sit down in the wide reading space and enjoy your time. It’s the “other” reading spot in Starfield COEX Mall and has less people taking pictures so go here if you really want to read maybe.

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What To Do Nearby

If COEX isn’t quite enough, or if you just want to make sure you’re maximizing your itinerary, there are some things nearby that you should check out too. 

Bongeunsa Temple (봉은사)

Directly across the street from COEX and worth at least an hour. Bongeunsa was founded in 794 and expanded in the 1500s, its current location north of COEX has been its home for centuries. The centerpiece is a 28-meter statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, one of the tallest stone statues in Korea. The oldest surviving building is a library from the mid-1800s housing woodblock carvings and nearly 3,500 Buddhist scriptures.

In spring, Bongeunsa is covered in lotus lanterns for Buddha’s Birthday, one of the most beautiful seasonal experiences in Gangnam and a complete contrast to the underground mall across the road.

• Address: 531 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 강남구 봉은사로 531, 서울, 대한민국)
• How to get there: Take subway line 2 to Samseong Station and exit via 6
• Hours: 3:00pm ~ 10:00pm
• Admission: Free

Samneung Park (서울선릉과정릉)

A quiet green space in Gangnam housing the UNESCO World Heritage royal tombs of King Seongjong (the 9th king of the Joseon Dynasty) and members of the royal family. A genuinely peaceful escape from Gangnam’s otherwise relentless urban density, forested paths, well-kept grounds, and very few tourists despite being in the middle of one of Seoul’s busiest districts.

• How To Get There: From Seolleung Subway Station Line 2, take exit 8 to  Samseongdong
• Address: 1 Seoulleung-ro 100-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울 강남구 선릉로100길 1)
• Hours: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm
• Days: Closed Monday
• Admission: Adults: W1,000; Students: W500

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FAQ

Is COEX Mall free to enter?

Yes, there is no entry fee for the mall itself. The Starfield Library inside is also completely free. Individual attractions (COEX Aquarium, Megabox cinema, Seven Luck Casino) have their own pricing.

How long should I spend at COEX Mall?

A quick visit to the Starfield Library and a browse of the shops takes about an hour. A half-day gives you time for the aquarium, a meal, and a look at whatever exhibition is on. A full day is possible if you combine COEX with Bongeunsa Temple and Seolleung Park.

Is COEX Mall good for a rainy day?

It’s one of the best indoor options in Seoul. The entire mall, aquarium, cinema, library, casino, and most dining options are underground or under cover. You can spend four to six hours here without going outside once. Read the complete guide to things to do on a rainy day in Seoul for more options.

Where is the Starfield Library in COEX?

The Starfield Library is in the central corridor of the underground mall, clearly signposted from all entrances. It’s impossible to miss once you’re inside, the towering bookshelves are visible from a considerable distance down the main walkway.

Can foreigners use the Seven Luck Casino?

Yes, in fact, the casino is only accessible to foreigners and Koreans with permanent foreign residency. Korean nationals cannot enter. This makes it unusually foreigner-friendly by Korean standards. The minimum age is 19.

Is the COEX Aquarium worth it?

Yes for families and anyone interested in marine life, 650 species across 183 tanks is genuinely impressive. Less essential for visitors with limited time who are choosing between several activities.

Is the COEX City Airport Terminal still operating?

Verify current operating status and which airlines participate before planning around it. Urban check-in facilities in Seoul have had changes in recent years.

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COEX rewards a visit at any time of year, but knowing what draws you there changes how you plan around it. Come for the Starfield Library and stay for the temple across the street. Come for the aquarium with kids and use the airport terminal on your way out. Come when it rains and discover more than you expected to find in a mall.

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