OK when the communists almost ran over the whole of the Korean Penninsula half a century ago : this was spelled Pusan for simpler terms in survival . then as the nation prospered and streamed-out Globally after the Seoul Olympics of 1988, citizens became aware of subtle difference in pronounciation thus now “Busan” THE major port city at the South-Eastern tip of the Korean Penninsula – once flourishing with goods shipped just over from another Port City of Fukuoka, as the Southern-most Japanese “big” islands when the latest digital cameras were a big thing available at “Camera Row” in NanPoDong – still exists but more support centers now – just East of “Can” market where literally canned foods were smuggled out from U.S. Bases . but as large ships are automated with fewer sailors and Busan’s major factories relocating elsewhere, the once flourishing city is almost at its doldrums .
the same with computer districts, as on-Line internet shopping malls deliver over-night at cut-throat prices, not to mention with much more varieties . I know, for I have had the wonderful pleasure to dwell on Busan beach-living a good part of a decade past the Millennium ..
there are 3 computer-dedicated buildings among the whole of Busan currently, but it is a common ploy of newer local shopping complex to advertise their own building as a computer or electronic market or district, when actually only a portion of a floor is rented-out to computer or electronics-related seller, duh – good examples are supposed-computer-market in HaeUnDae New Town, West of downtown, or SaSang Computer Market further West just before crossing the river to KimHae international Airport serving Busan //
- Gaya was the first to offer local assembly and buisness was good over the Millennium when on-Line shopping malls took over .
- HanChang just North was good too in the middle of Busan’s adult entertainment district, but now have long given way to
- the late new-comer further North at Busan Computer Market .careful now : for these districts are named in Korean as “Sanga” which are store-fronts inside buildings, where-as open markets selling groceries are “ShiJang” but pointed-to as markets or districts . the ones in Busan are actually a couple of small buildings, or lower few floors of a large building .
GaYa Computer WholeSale Market (has re-located on May 2017, so see below as I keep this older records for nostalgia – a whole new high-rise apartment complex is built on this prime land)”GaYa Computer SangGa” http://gayatown.co.kr
this is in between 2 subway stations so take your pick :
- (a) Busan Subway Line 2 DongEuiDae Station (3 stations West of bustling hub of SeoMyon) Exit 8 and on the third block to your Right, or
- (b) one station further at GaeGeum Station Exit 2 and is on the 3rd block to your Left unmistakeable for it is right across the large street from HomePlus SuperMart .
the whole consist of two two-story buildings (one behind the other) said to contain 80-ish number of stores and this was Busan formerly Pusan’s first computer-dedicated building still doing more assembly than any other district or rather buildings I mention here .
[ NEW LOCATION ] is three subway stations West from the old original location at Busan Subway Line 2 JuRae Station Exit 7 at the end of the next block . taxi drivers may know as the old Seoul Yoo Hospital – refurbished into an electronics shopping grounds .
Busan Computer WholeSale Market “Busan Computer SangGa” http://www.boocom.co.kr Busan Subway 1 MyungRyoonDong Station Exit 3 and cross the large road West via over-path and is the tall building to your Right behind OutBack SteakHouse, main entrance in the rear alley though . it is in ShinHwa Tower Apartment building taking up the lower 3 floors with supposedly 120 or so booths of sellers . the stores within take many forms but if I were to round it up :
- the ground floor is mostly accessories including recording media,
- and the second floor with major computer parts such as mainframe cases,
- while the third floor takes up the rest like network cards,
one merit of this place is they have product support centers (which is again a small booth) of larger manufacturers such as Asus .
you are in Busan’s Northern-most tourist spot so might wanna hang around while you are here :
- across the large road South you will see Korea’s shopping mecca of Lotte Department Store DongRae (which is the larger neighborhood North of this MyungRoonDong here) Branch,
- and the whole area North of this computer building is Busan’s Northern hot springs district rightfully translated as “OnCheonJang” (hot springs inn) simply follow the narrow alley where the computer building’s main entrance is and Northward you will pass many inns among which NongShim Hotel aproximately 3 large blocks North is the most well-known with their own large hot springs dome,
HanChang Computer Market “HanChang Computer SangGa”
this is 4 Subway Stations North of fashionable SeoMyon right after Busan City Hall, on the way North to another-bustling area of Busan University . here there is a reason why I show a map instead of a photo of the building itself – as it is quite hard to find for a traveler, deep inside alleys North-East of a large intersection though : Busan Subway Line 1 YeonSan Station Exit 10 walk up-hill and turn at the 2nd Left alley and is on your Left after Busan Broadcasting Station . you would need help from passers-by on this one for it is in a small alley but Busan Broadcasting Station “Busan BangSong” should be your guide .
using the lower 3 floors of DongSeo or SsangYong Apartment building however there is no more major players left in this building but computer-related small companies will rent office here as long as they offer cheaper rent .
all-in-all you will be dissappointed when you step-into any of these previously computer districts, or rather buildings as internet Shopping Malls killed brick-and-motar store-fronts, resulting in empty booths and even whole floors . regional electronics districts are hit harder than the Capital of SEOUL, as the latter still operates as a ship-out point for the now-extensive On-Line Stores . so if you are NEW to the region I strongly recommend either LG Electronics ShowRoom or Lotte HiMart (both operated by huge Korean Conglomerates thus sustaining Off-Line store-fronts) branches in your area as they also double as support centres if you need software assistance or even repair .
Related Links :
2009.1.9 YongSan Electronics Market in Seoul, South Korea,
2009.1.10 Electronics Districts in the Capital of Seoul,
– Korea Tech BLog, October 2008 monitoring the whole of Korean Penninsula and its store-fronts last update in the midst of Wuhan Corona Pandemic : March 12 2020
Hi, thanks a lot for the guide. On the “Busan Computer SangGa” ,
the Metro station is MYEONGNYUN (126) and exit 1 is better to cross the covered overhead pedestrian crossing. Take lift down proceed towards OutBack SteakHouse. The rest is as you say, except is only 2 floors retailing, the 3rd. floor is closed. Thanks for the useful help. By the way the stuff they sell here is expensive and not negotiable.
The GaYa Computer place can bargain a bit if you are paying cash.
Thank You for your specifics update and Please let us know if You have a local BLog to Link to – May Your soujorn on the Korean Peninsula bear colorful fruits 😉
I just visited the Busan Computer SangGa via subway station 126, Meyeongyun January 2 2016. Only 2 floors retailing. Tried to negotiate, no deal. Bought an IpTime wireless router A2004R (dual band Wifi, supports 802.11ac) for 50,000 kwon, and an ipTime A1000UA-4bDi USB 802.11ac adapter (for PS4) for 25,000 kwon. Both work great. No english manual, but IpTime routers seem to be the mainstay for Korea.
Merry Christmas ! on the LAN-Card and Happy NEW Year ! on the Router, as you got both for just about the best price on the Peninsula . those are On-Line prices and they usually charge a tad more at store-front . there are now many makers to choose from either, but best when you stick to the same brand : as they /have/ to solve it for you should you have problems //
The speed went from about 9Mb/sec to over 90Mb/sec. I just tested my iPad Air using Ookla Speedtest. I got 93 Mbs/sec download and 57 Mbs/sec upload with the ipTime A2004R wireless router. eMart has the router for 59,000 Kwon. But I got it for 50,000 Kwon at the Busan Computer (see previous post).
I am looking for a retail shop that sells Raspberry Pi, a small credit card size computer than runs a version of Linux. The raspberry Pi 2 sells for about $35 US dollars. It is available online in Korea from Linkway. Any tips on how to find it in Busan?
this topic would require a whole separate BLog, but if you’re cautious about the validity of LinkWay : there is another On-Line vendor of educational electronics – who (aside from their own On-Line shop) also sell under similar ID of MakeitFun on several Open Markets such as GMarket . they are bit more safe, as they (MakeitFun) will get paid from the mediator (GMarket) only if you acknowledge /or/ don’t contest within the next Week . aside from that : you have to search On-Line user-group members who sell used-ones in Busan . so let us know when you venture-upon your next Pi-project !
Update to Gaya Town. The directions you gave to the lot across from Home Plus is now abandoned and boarded up. The link you provided takes you to a new site that tells you they relocated to just past Jurye Station exit 7. Link http://gayatown.co.kr/home/contents/board/view.php?&id=notice&no=39
The Busan Computer Wholsale Market is still open. Best way now is exit 3, turn right, up the pedestrian bridge and the walkway will put you in the 2nd floor. Only 2 dloors open now. Cheers
Please introduce your Blog if you have one – for us to link, or let me know when you come to SEOUL – to where I have since relocated, with regular trips to HaeUnDae //
Thanks for the update! I would put up a new Post, than delete or update this one for nostalgia – while learking around this compact-but-useful block.
Hi, I am in Busan for a couple of days touring and require Electronics / Hobby / Arduino / can you give me a name and address where I can purchase ?
Many thanks
Hello. I would like visit Busan electronic shop to buy the Gopro camera. Could you please advise where I can buy it with good price?
Dear Sir/Madam:
Please direct me any electronic shop closer to Pukyong National University. I want to buy a laptop. As an International Student from Liberia, I do not know how to go about finding a laptop stop in Busan please help me.
Welcome to Busan and you are luckily in a college with access to a nice beach at GwangAnRi ! if you know about computers, it is best to befriend a local who speaks Korean to search through used forums . if not you can try all of three locations above (Gaya has since relocated) which are all about 30 minutes train-ride West and North . but if you are new here, I recommend purchasing a NEW one although not cheap at either of two locations both just a subway stop East from you :
(1) LG Electronics ShowRoom at Busan Subway Line 2 NamCheon Station between Exits 1 and 3. I recommend LG laptops / NoteBooks for screen, reliability and support .
(2) Lotte Hi-Mart on the next block from Exit 1 . here you have wider range of manufacturers and can buy other electronics items too .
:
it is better to purchase at these two locations as you can return to the same place if you have problems for software or repair – Good Luck
Hello sir:
Please i would like you to advise me on where I can buy used laptop hard dives here in busan
Is there anyone or any area in Busan that you know of that could look into a starter button that is not working on an old Apple Mac 2006 desktop?