HMV
313@Somerset: 313 Orchard Road #04-23124
HMV is a large music chain store. This location has an extensive Kpop CD collection that lines the shelves of the back wall. They carry a few CDs from practically every group that's current today (no Ss501). Korean Jpop isn't common in Singapore, yet I still found Infinite's She's Back single (normal edition). Korean Jpop would be placed under the Kpop section.
One display also has official Big Bang goods, like fans and rings.
There are also several stands throughout the center of the store that advertise the latest Kpop releases.
Additionally, there is a section for legit Korean dramas and movies. They had Werewolf Boy, Song Joong Ki's latest movie, but only the Chinese version. The workers are also approachable; I asked one to look up Infinite's Japanese releases but both of Singapore's locations didn't have any in stock (besides She's Back).
Many DVDs had a "parental guidance" sticker, including Infinite's Second Invasion Evolution concert DVD (...probably for Hoya's solo stage...), surprising me on Singapore's purity. Overall, I was surprised at the extensive Kpop collection at this HMV!
Books Kinokuniya
Ngee Ann City: 391 Orchard Road #03-09/10/15
Kinokuniya is a Japanese bookstore with branches throughout the globe. The location in Ngee Ann City is one of two in Singapore. This branch is very large and has an extensive selection of books, yet the Korean culture collection is quite limited.
I asked a cashier if there were any Korean or Japanese CDs or DVDs and he said no. Yet I managed to find a small display of SM and Rain DVDs.
There are also rows upon rows of magazines, and I found one small section of Korean Jpop magazines. This includes various issues of F to F dating throughout 2013 (one of Shut Up Flower Boy Band, one of Infinite H, and one more), @star1, and other magazines featuring Song Joong Ki, Lee Byung Hun and 2PM. There were only one or two copies of these magazines and the issues ranged from most recent to a few months old. All of the magazines had a sealed wrapping, so sadly you can't flip through the magazines to look at the contents inside.
I had to buy F to F featuring SUFBB because of the drama's significance to me! Unfortunately I didn't know the price of the magazine and it wasn't until I reached the cashier that he told me it was $29.30 SGD ($22.99 USD) though retail is $980 Yen ($9.85 USD). While I know this store is very expensive at the Seattle location, I didn't think Singapore's would be so much more expensive! While I paid more than I'd like, I'm still happy about my purchase and about finding this rare magazine.
Taxi Ride
To my surprise, the cab I rode in had a nice magazine nestled in both front seat's back pockets. This magazine featured G-Dragon on the cover and had a few page spread on him. In the back there was also an advertisement for SkinFood's GoldKiwi line.
If you're in Singapore, catch a taxi and hope there's a Kpop magazine in the back and ride to Orchard Road to buy some Kpop albums and magazines!
