Starfield COEX Mall
Starfield COEX Mall is an underground shopping mall in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu Seoul, South Korea. The name "COEX" is derived from "COnvention centers" and "EXhibition halls".
The mall is located at the intersection of Teheranno and Yeongdong Dae-ro, near Samseong station on Seoul Subway Line 2 and Bongeunsa station on Seoul Subway Line 9. The COEX Mall is adjacent to the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center, which is part of the COEX complex, run by the Korea International Trade Association. Millennium Square is the main exit of COEX Mall connecting with Line 2's Samseong Station.
It has an area of about, of which are on a single underground floor, making it the world's largest underground shopping mall. Along with hundreds of shops, the mall houses two food courts, MegaBox, COEX Aquarium and a large bookstore, but the Kimchi Fields Museum has moved to Insadong. It features a game area that is used to film computer game tournaments, which are broadcast on local television. There are stages inside and outside the mall for seasonal events and public appearances by celebrities. It is open year-round from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM and admission is free.
History
The mall was originally developed by investments from the Korea International Trade Association. COEX Mall was designed by the US interior design company RTKL. COEX Mall was also designed by Gensler, under the theme "Unfolding Sky", emphasizing seamless flow and openness. Construction of the mall began in May 1997 and finished in April 2000. Construction costs amounted to .In May 2012, KITA announced major renovation plans for the mall. It will spend to the upgrade project. The renovation is needed to create passenger walkways between the new Bongeunsa Station on Seoul Subway Line 9, due for completion in 2014, with Samseong Station on Line 2. It was scheduled to start at the end of 2012 and complete by November 2014. The floor space is expected to increased to from its current. The COEX complex renovation was completed on 27 November 2014.
Location
The COEX Mall is located at Seoul Gangnam-gu Yeongdong-daero 513. This mall is connected the Samseong station on Seoul Subway Line 2 and Bongeunsa station on Seoul Subway Line 9. Cheongdam station on Seoul Subway Line 7 is next to COEX Mall, as is World Trade Center Seoul.Venues
Plazas
The mall features five plazas: the Central Plaza, Live Plaza, Millennium Plaza, Asem Plaza, and Airport Plaza.Starfield Library (''Byeolmadang Doseogwan'')
The library has 50,000 books, 600 magazines, and offers e-books. In addition, it serves as an event center, intended to host talk shows with authors, lectures with intellectuals and personalities, and concerts. Contrary to popular belief, not all the books on display are real. Books on higher shelves or on shelves that cannot be reached are decorative.The library featured in the series Record of Youth starring Park Bo-gum and garnered increased attention from viewers.