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Spring! Joy of Well-Worn Things

Writer's picture: JungYeol KimJungYeol Kim
9 hours ago1 min read


Today, it felt like spring!

Sometimes, I wonder—who is truly rich, and who is truly successful? Maybe the wealthiest person is the one who can step outside on a sunny day, bask in the light, smile, and simply feel happy.


Lately, I’ve been wanting a couple of things:_ Porsche 911 997 MK2_ Leica Q2

One costs around 50 million KRW ($37,000), the other around 5 million KRW ($3,700). Since I don’t yet have the financial freedom to buy them on a whim, I’m still happy. I spend my time browsing listings, watching related YouTube videos, and learning more about them.


Of course, I do aspire to reach a point where I can fully appreciate and be content with just the sunlight. But I don’t believe material things and consumption are meaningless. In fact, I think the physical world matters a lot. You could say I prefer a firm handshake over a metaphorical one. Well-made, well-aged, and reasonably priced items—things that reflect one’s taste—can bring joy even before the purchase, during the purchase, and long after they’ve been used over time.



Here are some items I’ve recently listed:

🍉 80s L.L. Bean Warm-Up Jacket (Olive Green/Purple, XL size, recommended for 110–105)🍉 Well-worn condition

🍉 Missing zipper head, but zipper still works

🍉 190,000 KRWMade in USA


🍉 Dr. Martens 1461 (UK 10, recommended for 285mm)🍉 Well-worn, with foot imprint inside🍉 160,000 KRWMade in England


🍉 1988 PIAGET Ref. 9251 Bark Finish 18K White Gold (Manual, 26mm x 30.5mm) Full Set

🍉 Piaget 9P2 Ultra-thin movement

🍉 6,700,000 KRW (cash only)Made in Switzerland



 
 
 

What ChatGPT's Premium Plan Says About Soobaak Vintage

Writer's picture: JungYeol KimJungYeol Kim
16 hours ago4 min read
conversation between me and my friend
conversation between me and my friend

The other day, my friend sent me a message out of nowhere.


Friend: "Hey, I just looked up Soobaak Vintage on the 200,000 KRW ChatGPT."

Me: "What?"

Friend: "Yeah, this is how the 200,000 KRW ChatGPT describes Soobaak Vintage. Haha."

Me: "Wait, what even is a 200,000 KRW ChatGPT? You pay 200,000 KRW per month for it?"

Friend: "Yup, it’s a premium plan. Usually, AI doesn’t give this much detail when you search for something."


And then, my friend sent me a structured write-up about Soobaak Vintage, which I read through with a mix of curiosity and amusement. It got some things right, some things wrong, and some things were just… well, interesting. So, let’s break it down.


 

Soobaak Vintage: A General Overview of the Shop

Company Overview (Establishment, Location, and Business Details)


  • Soobaak Vintage (SOOBAAK VINTAGE) was founded in January 2018 in Seoul as a vintage fashion & lifestyle brand. (Correction: The AI said 2017, but we actually started in 2018.)

  • The founder, Jungyeol Kim, has a unique background as a former pastor who later transitioned into the fashion industry and established Soobaak Vintage. (Correction: Still a pastor, part of the Presbyterian Church of Korea.)

  • The first store was located in Garosu-gil, Sinsa, Seoul, in a basement space. Currently, there are two directly managed locations: Sinsa Soobaak and Tapdong Soobaak (Jeju). (Correction: Our Yeonnam location is now closed, and we may open another store in June 2025.)

  • Soobaak Vintage is a curated vintage boutique that specializes in selecting and selling clothing and accessories that are at least 20-30 years old. The collection includes men's and women's apparel, shoes, bags, and various fashion items.

  • In addition to our in-house SVC line, we also offer a consignment service where customers can sell their vintage items through us. (Correction: Our consignment business is something we want to dominate in the industry!)

  • The brand name "Soobaak" reflects the idea of being more than just a vintage shop, though in reality, we never thought that deeply about it. (Correction: AI’s interpretation is overkill—no grand philosophical meaning behind it!)

  • While the company has grown and now operates with store managers and staff, the founder remains hands-on. However, we don’t promote a "family-like" work culture. (Correction: Some employees feel comfortable, some don’t. We simply try to reward based on skills and contributions.)

  • The work environment encourages creativity and passion for vintage fashion. Employees participate in content creation, such as managing the shop’s Instagram by posting five times a day with outfit ideas, product highlights, and fashion news.

  • AI mentions "regular workshops and communication sessions for team bonding and personal growth." (Correction: Communication is always a challenge!)


Customer Reviews & Reputation

  • Soobaak Vintage has a strong reputation among vintage fashion enthusiasts in Korea. Online reviews often mention our well-curated selection, particularly vintage jackets and Levi’s jeans from the 1990s and 2000s. (Correction: We also get a fair share of criticism.)

  • The shopping experience is described as "fun and interesting" due to the diverse selection of high-quality vintage clothing.

  • Customer service is often praised, and there has never been a single review claiming that Soobaak employees were rude. (Correction: Direct quote: "In 8 years, we’ve never received a single complaint about rude service.")

  • We have a loyal customer base, with over 30,000 Instagram followers actively engaging with our new arrivals and store updates.

  • Some online communities have discussed political opinions shared on Soobaak’s social media, but the controversy was minimal. (Correction: We only expressed support for a certain political party—nothing major.)

  • Despite occasional debates, Soobaak is often called the "holy grail of vintage fashion" in Korea. In recent years, the brand has gained recognition from fashion media and industry insiders, leading to collaborations with brands like Hyundai Department Store and Fritz Coffee. (Correction: We’ve just been lucky!)


Store Operations (Offline & Online Sales, Key Products, Distribution Channels)


  • The Sinsa store is known for its clean and well-organized layout, offering a sophisticated take on the typical vintage shopping experience. (Correction: We just work hard to keep it clean—nothing fancy!)

  • The Jeju Tapdong store serves both locals and tourists, acting as a key player in Jeju’s vintage fashion scene. (Correction: The Jeju store has an even better atmosphere, thanks to design work by Team Byroz!)

  • Operating hours are 11 AM - 8 PM, closed on Sundays. (Correction: The Jeju store is closed on Mondays, not Sundays.)

  • The official website (soobaakvintage.com) allows customers to shop from anywhere in Korea. About 50% of our inventory is updated online.

  • Soobaak actively uses Instagram, Naver Blog, and YouTube for marketing. Our YouTube series "Soobaak Surface-Level Insight" shares vintage styling tips and behind-the-scenes content.

  • Popular items include 1990s Levi’s jeans, military jackets, and early 2000s streetwear. We also stock rare vintage designer pieces, such as Balenciaga classic bags and Nautica duffle bags.

  • All products are either handpicked by our team or sourced from trusted sellers. Our pricing reflects quality and rarity, not just affordability.

  • We actively develop distribution channels, including pop-up stores at Hyundai Department Store and collaborative projects with other brands.

  • The AI mentioned that we hold the "Vintage Flea Market 'Gumirae'" to promote vintage culture. (Correction: That’s not why we started it. It began on October 19, 2020, with five teams at the ID Hair HQ in Seoul.)

  • The flea market has become highly successful, drawing thousands of visitors each time and helping to solidify Soobaak’s brand presence.


 

Final Thoughts

So there you have it—a glimpse of how a 200,000 KRW per month ChatGPT describes Soobaak Vintage. Some parts were eerily accurate, some were way off, and some were just funny to read. Either way, it was an interesting way to see how our shop is perceived from the outside.


If nothing else, at least we now know that even AI acknowledges Soobaak as a key player in Korea’s vintage scene. Pretty cool, right?



 
 
 

Expanding Soobaak Vintage's Curation: The Timeless Rolex Explorer 1

Writer's picture: JungYeol KimJungYeol Kim
Feb 182 min read


At Soobaak Vintage, there are a few key items that have truly broadened the horizons of our curation, and one that can never be overlooked is the Rolex Explorer 1.


It was the vintage Cartier Tank that first showed us that Soobaak could sell pieces priced in the 1 million KRW range, and it was the Explorer 1 (Ref. 114270) that revealed Soobaak’s potential to offer pieces worth up to 10 million KRW.


Whether expensive or affordable, we at Soobaak have a special fondness for simple, understated pieces. Of course, there are times when we can’t resist the allure of extravagant, flashy items—like a Piaget studded with diamonds, for example!


Looking at the list of celebrities who have worn the Explorer 1 with affection, our respect for this watch only grows: from Takuya Kimura and Matt Damon to Brad Pitt. When you think of these icons, it’s hard not to notice a common thread tying them together.


Rolex Explorer 1: Ref. 14270 / 114270 / 214270

They share many similarities, but the 114270 stands out for its slightly lower dial face density compared to the other references (see the 7th photo). Personally, I love that subtle empty feeling it gives.


I’m just speculating, but I highly doubt there’s any shop in South Korea that’s sold more Explorer 1s than Soobaak Vintage. In fact, this full set is only the second one we’ve had in 3 years. If you've been eyeing the Explorer 1, this is definitely a recommendation. Please enjoy it, and thank you as always for your support.


Available Now:

🍉 2004 Rolex Explorer 1 Ref. 114270 (36mm) - Full Set

🍉 Certified by Viber

🍉 9,900,000 KRW (Cash only)

🍉 Late 1960s Rolex Explorer 1 Ref. 5500 (34mm)🍉 9,000,000 KRW (Cash only)


 
 
 
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