[Insta Walk] Brawa - #Want_to_go_Bali? #Hurry_Visit_here!

Indonesian Accessory Shop in the City Center
Window Hangers & Unique Mother-of-Pearl Mobiles
Exotic Atmosphere with Rattan Accessories

Macrame, Calligraphy, Candles, and More
'Monthly Brawa' Classes Gain Attention
Visitors Increasing... Recently Visited by Park Narae Also Contributed

Interior view of the Indonesian accessory shop 'Brawa'.
Photo by Gayun Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Gayeon] Happy memories from travel destinations often serve as small cogs that drive life forward. People tend to cherish memories that fully capture the weather, scents, and emotions of those times. Yet, eventually, the light of those memories fades. Especially recently, when traveling abroad has become difficult, many say that nostalgic memories feel even more poignant.

Let's follow the memories of a beloved travel destination and revisit the excitement of a first trip. A place where Instagrammers, eager to experience the summer vibe and travel to Southeast Asia, keep coming back. Located in Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, the small Indonesian goods shop 'Brawa Seoul' is one such place filled with that feeling. Walking about 10 minutes along the alley from Exit 2 of Mangwon Station on Subway Line 6, you arrive at this spot that preserves a summer scene all year round.

The wooden lamp creates a warm atmosphere.
Photo by Ga-yeon Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

Inside, decorated with ivory-colored bricks, wooden-framed windows stand out. The green plants placed in front of those window frames bow their heads to avoid the scorching sunlight, catching the eyes of passersby. The hangers by the window, uniquely shaped mother-of-pearl mobiles, macram? (knot craft), and rattan (light and coarse fiber harvested from plant stems) accessories exude an exotic atmosphere. From kitchen utensils carved from wood to wall-hanging plants in coconut pots, various interior items densely decorate the shelves and walls. Perhaps because of the incense sticks filling the space with fragrance, stepping inside feels like instantly being transported to another country.

'Brawa' is the name of a beach located on the west side of Bali Island, Indonesia. It is a space that fully reflects the heart of CEO Kim Boyeon, who loves Indonesia. Kim, who first visited as a customer and formed a connection with this place, ended up acquiring it last year, unable to resist the attraction. She introduced it as "Brawa is great for surfing and has a calmer atmosphere compared to other well-known tourist spots in Korea," adding, "At the same time, it has a lively vibe, similar to Mangwon-dong where Brawa is located." She smiled brightly, saying, "This is a space that allowed me to do everything I wanted and dreamed of. It can be called a challenging space." That smile seems to reveal her deep affection for Brawa.

Bali greatly influenced CEO Kim’s feelings about summer, turning them 180 degrees. Having loved handmade crafts since childhood, she fell in love with Bali, full of plants, rattan, and wood. Utilizing her experience as a product designer, she also designs products herself. The incense holders and mobiles designed by Kim are steady sellers, enjoying consistent popularity.

Various accessories made of rattan material, such as mirrors, lampshades, and magazine racks, catch the eye. Photo by Kay Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

The biggest factor behind the increasing number of visitors to Brawa is the one-day classes held under the name 'Monthly Brawa.' These include various lessons such as macram?, rattan, calligraphy, and candle making. Since the classes are held seasonally, there are even 'regular members' who participate every time. Conducted under the concept of 'healing after work,' surrounded by green plants and yellow lighting, these classes attract many who want a brief moment of relaxation in their daily lives.

Recently, it became a hot topic when broadcaster Park Narae visited. Scenes of Park self-decorating her home with products purchased here, such as tables and mirrors, were broadcast on the program 'I Live Alone,' increasing visits from female customers interested in home decoration. CEO Kim said, "As COVID-19 spread and people stayed home longer, interest in decorating homes grew," adding, "Many customers say, 'Since we can't travel, we want to at least lift our spirits.'"

Why did CEO Kim become even more enthusiastic about running programs involving customers after acquiring this store? The answer can be found in her words: "I feel rewarded when customers decorate their homes well with the products I selected and made, use them, recommend them to others, and come back." This reveals Kim’s values of enjoying and cherishing communication. The various projects she is planning also align with this mindset. She said, "Soon, I plan to create a lookbook (a booklet containing design-related information) for customers to refer to for interior decoration, and later, I plan to open a second branch and a private guesthouse to connect with more customers," adding, "I hope it becomes a warm space for people. I want them to feel comfortable and come casually."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.