Koffee & Kpop

I would like to thank whoever was the first to mention the Seoul Junji Ito exhibit in the facebook group What Kind of Junji Ito Bullshit Is This, because it had flown completely under my radar.

“Coffee, then screams?” I texted my friend, who had never read anything from Junji Ito.

I’ll reiterate.

I took someone who had no idea who Junji Ito even was to a Junji Ito exhibit–a haunted house based on some of his stories. To be fair, I did ask them first if they liked scary stuff so I wouldn’t be traumatizing them.

Even though we went on Korea’s Independence Day, we were able to get in about fifteen minutes past the time we arrived, even without a reservation.

The price is 25,000 won ($18.29 USD) per adult, which I found to be a bit steep. We had to put our shoulder bags in a locker system in the hallway as they were not allowed in the exhibit. My friend kept their phone on them, but I left mine in the locker to charge. I’d advise keeping your card on you if you plan on buying something in the gift shop.

While waiting in line, some random guy ducked under the partition rope to get back in line and nearly knocked my friend and I over; I ended up stepping on the poor toes of the girl behind me who was wearing sandals.

After they punch your ticket, you’re given a paper Souichi mask as a souvenir, but it was kind of annoying to be given it at the beginning of the experience because you’re immediately broken into groups of approximately 6 people and made to hold onto a long rope to keep you all together throughout the experience. I definitely think the mask should have been something given at the end of the experience.

At first, I was a little spooked, as I read the signs about hitting the bell if you get too scared and being mindful of the performers. Performers, great. I can handle most things, but if someone were to touch me, I would jump out of my skin.

The performers don’t touch you, although some of them will follow you after you think you’re in the clear, just as you’re leaving the room. There were some missed opportunities for spooks, I thought, but there were also some really cool scares. It was nowhere near as “pitch black” as the articles have written.

Our group was pretty fun because we weren’t sure if the girl at the head of our line was going to get spooked and run and pull us all along or not. The girl behind me, I think the one whose toes I stepped on, said “Have a nice day” to one of the performers as we were leaving his particular room, which caused us all to laugh.

It takes about 15 minutes to go through the entire “haunted house” section and then you’re released into some various rooms with sketches of Ito’s, some creepy artwork on the walls, and a video of Ito talking about his work.

Then you go through the gift shop because what would anything be without a gift shop. Things were really overpriced, in my opinion, although I really wanted that glitter-filled Tomie drink coaster that was 28,000 won ($20.50 USD). Books were averaging about 10,000 won ($7.32 USD), which was a really good price for paperback versions. There were a lot of random trinkets for sale, like acrylic stands and keychains. Sadly, there were no enamel pins for sale.

There is a list of the works that the immersive experience focuses on, but I find it better to go in without knowing what is going to be referenced.

There is also a themed cafe outside the gift shop with Ito-illustrated tables and a photobooth with several limited edition frames, including ones with Tomie, Souichi, the Hanging Balloons, etc.

There are two standing posters outside the exhibit you can take your photo with: Souichi and Tomie.

My friend wasn’t traumatized (I don’t think). They ended up buying a copy of Tomie, and I introduced them to the Junji Ito story I was first introduced to–The Enigma of Amigara Fault.

Overall, it was a fun experience and I’m glad I went. I think there could have been some improvements, but everything that was done was done really well. If you’re an Ito fan, definitely check it out. It runs until September 8th, at DUEX, in Hongdae, LC Tower, B3.