Last Updated: July 4, 2026 | Originally Published: July 6, 2026
- Starfield Library is a free public library inside COEX Mall with 13-metre-tall bookshelves holding 50,000 books. The library and mall are free to enter; the COEX Aquarium has a separate ticket.
- Get there on Line 2, Samseong Station, Exit 5 or 6, connected directly underground. Line 9 Bongeunsa Station (Exit 7) also links via an underground walkway.
- Mall hours: 10:30–22:00 daily, year-round. The library follows roughly the same hours. The aquarium closes earlier—last entry around 19:00.
- Cross the street afterward to Bongeunsa Temple, a 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple that stares down the glass-and-steel COEX complex with remarkable composure.
Starfield Library sits in the middle of a shopping mall like someone dropped a cathedral of books into a department store. The 13-metre shelves rise through two storeys of the COEX atrium, framed by escalators and food court neon.
It is hands down the most Instagrammed thing in Gangnam that does not charge admission. I went for a coffee and accidentally spent 90 minutes staring at bookshelves I could not reach without a ladder.
A short history of COEX and Starfield Library
COEX Mall opened in April 2000 as part of the World Trade Center Seoul complex, run by the Korea International Trade Association. At 144,000 square metres on a single underground floor, it claims the title of the world’s largest underground shopping mall.
For years the Central Plaza atrium was just a wide, slightly characterless event space. In 2017, operator Shinsegae Group transformed it into Starfield Library—a move that turned a pass-through corridor into a destination.
The library holds about 50,000 books and 600 magazine titles, plus e-book access. It also hosts author talks, lectures, and occasional live music. One quiet footnote: the books on the highest shelves are decorative. If you cannot reach it, nobody else can either.
What to see and do at COEX
Starfield Library is the obvious anchor. Grab a seat at one of the reading tables, browse the ground-level shelves, and let the scale of the place sink in. It works as both a 15-minute photo stop and a two-hour rest between shopping runs.
COEX Aquarium is one of Korea’s largest, with 14 themed zones and about 40,000 marine creatures across 90+ tanks. The shark tunnel and penguin exhibit are the crowd favourites. Adult admission runs roughly 28,000–33,000 KRW—check the official site before you go as seasonal promotions are common.
MegaBox Cinema inside the mall screens Korean and international releases. The SMTOWN COEX Artium is a multi-floor K-pop complex dedicated to SM Entertainment artists (EXO, NCT, aespa), with a museum, merch shop, and studio hologram shows.
The mall itself houses hundreds of shops, two food courts, and an arcade that hosts televised e-sports tournaments. It is big enough that people genuinely get lost—the directional signs help, but the curved layout rarely feels intuitive on a first visit.
COEX at a glance
| Attraction | What it is | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Starfield Library | 13m-high public library, 50K books | Free |
| COEX Mall | World’s largest underground mall | Free |
| COEX Aquarium | 14 themed zones, 40K+ creatures | ~28,000–33,000 KRW (adult) |
| SMTOWN Artium | K-pop museum, merch, holograms | Paid (museum section) |
| Bongeunsa Temple | 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple | Free |
Opening hours (2026)
| Facility | Hours |
|---|---|
| COEX Mall & Starfield Library | 10:30–22:00 daily |
| COEX Aquarium | 10:00–20:00 (last entry ~19:00) |
| Bongeunsa Temple | ~05:00–21:00 (temple grounds free) |
| Closed days | None—mall open year-round, including holidays |
“COEX Mall has an area of about 144,000 square metres on a single underground floor, making it the world’s largest underground shopping mall.”
How to get there
| Subway line | Station & exit | Walk |
|---|---|---|
| Line 2 (green) | Samseong, Exit 5 or 6 | Direct underground connection |
| Line 9 (gold) | Bongeunsa, Exit 7 | ~5 min via underground walkway |
| Line 7 (olive) | Cheongdam, Exit 9 | ~12 min walk (above ground) |
Samseong Station Exit 5 or 6 is the smoothest route—you never leave the underground. The walkway feeds straight into Millennium Square, COEX’s main arrival plaza. Line 9’s Bongeunsa Station has been connected by an underground passage since 2014.
Combine COEX into a Gangnam day
10:30 – Arrive at Samseong Station. Head straight to Starfield Library before the afternoon photo crowds build. Bring a coffee and sit for 20 minutes—you have earned a slow start.
11:30 – COEX Aquarium. The shark tunnel and jellyfish room are the highlights. Budget 90 minutes.
13:00 – Lunch at the COEX food court or one of the sit-down Korean restaurants on the east side of the mall.
14:30 – Walk across the street to Bongeunsa Temple. The contrast between the 1,200-year-old temple and the glass towers behind it is something no photo quite captures.
15:30 – If K-pop is your thing, hit SMTOWN Artium. If not, browse the mall shops or catch a film at MegaBox.
17:30 – Walk or taxi 10 minutes north to Gangnam Underground Shopping for budget fashion and beauty deals before dinner.
Where to eat nearby
COEX’s two food courts cover the quick-and-easy spectrum: Korean, Japanese, Italian chains, and a solid dessert corridor. The basement-level food court near the aquarium entrance is cheaper and faster than the upper-level restaurants.
For a real meal outside the mall, Samseong-dong’s alleys behind the COEX complex hide excellent samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) and haemul pajeon (seafood pancake) spots that serve the local office crowd at lunch. Better and cheaper than anything inside.
Near Bongeunsa Station, the stretch of restaurants along Bongeunsa-ro includes solid Korean BBQ and a few good Vietnamese and Thai options if you need a break from banchan.
Is COEX / Starfield Library worth visiting?
For the library alone: yes, as a quick stop. It is spectacular to look at and costs nothing. You will take photos, you will wonder who reads the books on shelf number 12, and you will leave happy.
For the full COEX complex: it depends. If you want shopping, an aquarium, or a rainy-day indoor plan, COEX delivers. If you are in Seoul for temples and street markets, skip it—this is polished Gangnam, not gritty Seoul.
What’s nearby
- Korea travel hub — all our Korea guides in one place
- Gangnam Underground Shopping — budget fashion and cosmetics, one subway stop away
- 24 hours in Seoul quick itinerary — a tight one-day Seoul plan
- K-Star Road — GangnamDol bear statues and K-pop agencies, a short taxi ride north
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Starfield Library by subway?
Take Line 2 to Samseong Station, Exit 5 or 6. Both connect directly underground to COEX Mall. Walk through Millennium Square and follow signs to the Central Plaza—the library is impossible to miss once you see the towering shelves.
Is Starfield Library free?
Yes. The library and COEX Mall are free to enter. You can browse, read, and take photos at no cost. The COEX Aquarium and SMTOWN Artium have separate admission fees.
How much does COEX Aquarium cost?
Adult admission is approximately 28,000–33,000 KRW. Online advance tickets are typically cheaper than walk-up prices. Check the official COEX Aquarium website or booking platforms for current 2026 rates.
What are the opening hours of COEX Mall?
COEX Mall is open daily from 10:30 to 22:00, year-round including holidays. Individual shops, the aquarium, and the cinema may have slightly different hours within that window.
Is Bongeunsa Temple near COEX?
Yes. Bongeunsa Temple is directly across the street from COEX Mall, about a 5-minute walk from the main entrance. Founded in 794, it offers a quiet contrast to the mall and is free to enter.
Are the books in Starfield Library real?
Most of the lower, reachable shelves hold real books. The books on the highest shelves (beyond reach) are decorative. The library has about 50,000 total volumes plus e-book access at reading stations.
How long should I spend at COEX?
Budget 30 minutes for Starfield Library alone, 90 minutes for the aquarium, and 3–4 hours for the full mall-plus-library-plus-aquarium experience. Add an hour if you include Bongeunsa Temple across the street.
Is COEX Mall good for shopping?
Yes, though it skews mid-range Korean and international brands rather than luxury. For budget fashion, Gangnam Underground Shopping one stop away is better value. COEX’s strength is variety and the indoor, weather-proof format.
More on Seoul:
Written by Sam Konneh
Sam Konneh is an AI strategist and digital marketer based in Seoul, South Korea. With years spent living, working, and exploring across Korea, Japan, and China, he shares firsthand insights into East Asia's cultures, hidden gems, and everyday life. A graduate of Inha University and KDI Graduate School, Sam combines data-driven expertise with on-the-ground experience. His journey also includes studying in Malaysia and traveling through Southeast Asia. Through practical tips, local stories, and travel guides, he helps fellow explorers discover both the celebrated highlights and the lesser-known corners of East Asia.
