[Instagram Walk] Silo Store - Please Ask, How Much Is It? Instead, Ask What Story It Has

Colorful Spaces in Medieval European-Style Interior
Antique Vintage Shop Filled with Collectibles
Owner Brings Items Gathered from 10 Years in the US
"Sad When Vintage Items Are Seen as Luxuries"
"Hope to Share the Culture of Inheriting Memories"

In addition to a variety of colorful accessories, tableware, and ornaments, paintings are also displayed throughout the space.
Photo by Ga-yeon Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Gayeon] Everyone who walks the earth tends to have something they cherish. To others, it may be just one among many ordinary things, but to oneself, it holds a special meaning. Sometimes, that something becomes the key that opens the door to memories. Gifts received from loved ones, souvenirs bought during travels, childhood toys, items touched by parents’ hands?there are countless such treasures. These objects, filled with memories, are rarely sought out in daily life, yet they are not easily discarded. Even when moving, they are often carried along rather than thrown away. Let’s take a journey to a place filled with such precious items that surely hold heartfelt emotions.

'Silo Sangjeom,' a small antique and vintage shop located in Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, is a place filled with antiques that have passed through many hands, each carrying colorful memories. What is the reason it has been recommended by quite a few Instagrammers?

Silo Sangjeom can be reached by walking about 10 minutes from Exit 2 of Mangwon Station on Subway Line 6. Opening the green door reminiscent of the candy shop in the movie 'Harry Potter,' you enter a warehouse filled with collections that hold treasure-like stories of someone. Perhaps due to its medieval European-style interior, it sometimes feels like stepping into another world. The space is packed with a variety of colorful accessories, tableware, decorations, and artworks, giving the impression of being in a museum.

The antique accessory shop 'Silo Sangjeom' located in Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Its unique green exterior catches the eye.
Photo by Kay Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

Representative Giedan (33) brought items collected with his family during over ten years of living in the United States to Korea and created this space together with his partner. The antiques, carrying the original owners’ memories, shine here with an added layer of Gi’s affection. He said that vintage items with stories are no longer being made, which makes each one feel even more special.

The shop’s name comes from the English word 'silo,' meaning a large tower-shaped grain storage. Gi explained, "There’s a word 'silo' in a favorite song lyric of mine. It means a grain storage, and when I asked a friend who runs a farm, he said it’s a place where hay for livestock and seeds for the next year’s crops are stored, so it’s like a treasure trove. I named the shop because I wanted it to be a warehouse where items filled with memories wait for new owners."

Giedan shared the reason for creating the space: "I felt happy that people can connect through inheriting someone else’s belongings. Rather than just selling the items as products, I wanted people to experience a culture of inheriting the memories contained within them." He mentioned the American tradition of garage sales, where families set up tables in front of their garages on weekends to organize and sell items. "Kids sometimes sell lemonade, and adults busily follow signs to hunt for treasures. It’s a lively scene. Many people ask with curious eyes, 'What is this?' and then recall memories as they explain. I have received many items after promising to cherish the stories behind them," he said.

The interior view of the 'Silo Sangjeom'. It is divided into three main spaces.
Photo by Ga-yeon Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

He also expressed regret over a part of Korean culture that regards vintage items merely as decorative luxuries lacking stories and culture. His hope is that items used in the present era will not be discarded but instead become links that continue stories into the next generation. He seemed eager to emphasize that by not carelessly throwing away items filled with memories but passing on their meaning to others, a sense of solidarity can be shared, which can help foster a healthy community.

The space Gi curated according to his taste is divided into three main sections. The first space, decorated in red and white; the second, in blue; and the third, a blend of yellow, green, and light purple, represent a parlor, a household from the early 1900s, and a private, intimate place, respectively. Referring to a line from the movie 'Midnight in Paris,' Gi said, "Everyone dreams of a time they want to return to at least once. I tried to recreate the era when vintage and antique items were used in daily life." He added, "People experience various emotions, so I want to offer an experience like visiting the heart of a living being."

Various props, each with a different story, fill the 'Silo Sangjeom' densely. Some items on the display have stickers with the original owner's name attached.
Photo by Kay Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

Gi also acts as a docent here. Stickers with the original owners’ names such as 'Donna,' 'Christine,' and 'Francis' can be found throughout, allowing visitors to hear detailed explanations about the stories behind the items, conversations Gi had with the original owners, and the historical value of the objects. There is also a message card that reads, "Please listen to the stories that have passed through many years. Instead of asking 'How much is it?' please ask 'What’s the story behind this?'"

Gi’s affection for the items is also evident in his unique sales approach. He said, "Since these are 'treasures' I have collected and cherished for a long time, I am looking for someone who can treasure them even more than I do." Therefore, sometimes first-time visitors are not allowed to purchase items. Gi explained, "At first sight, people might make impulsive purchases. But after buying, they might regret it later. That’s upsetting for both me and the buyer. So I discourage immediate purchases and tell them to come back if the item keeps lingering in their mind." The most rewarding moments for him are "when I meet people who genuinely cherish my treasures."

Gi is currently preparing something even more unique. He said, "I want to create a space like a French salon from the early 1900s where art lovers can listen to the music of that era, talk together, and sing the songs of life." This hints at a new side of Silo Sangjeom. Gi added, "I plan to beautifully decorate the yard to hold afternoon tea parties with regular customers and create a club where people can proudly share and enjoy their favorite vintage items."

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