CHERRY CREEK FASHION — Escape To Gangnam, South Korea with Model & Actress Phoebe Corey

PHOEBE COREY is a model and actress living in Seoul, South Korea. After graduating from college, she left her home country of Saint Lucia and moved to South Korea to pursue a career in fashion. There she established herself amongst the most recognizable foreign talents and has since worked with numerous cosmetic, fashion, and lifestyle brands.

In 2016, she received her first global beauty campaign for Neogen Dermalogy. She has also appeared in global advertising campaigns for Samsung, Hyundai, Avon, Laneige, CJ, and Audi. In addition to her modeling career Phoebe is an IMDb credited actress recently appearing in Netflix sci-fi film Space Sweepers.

Phoebe is a regular attendee of Seoul Fashion Week and has been featured in Leon, Nylon, and Vogue Korea magazine for her sense of fashion and style. Her keen interest in the Korean beauty industry also led her to study Korean makeup artistry and skincare, and she is a Licensed Makeup Artist and Trained Skin Aesthetician.

In March 2021, she was appointed Honorary Publicity Ambassador of Gangnam by the district’s office. In this issue, Phoebe shares her Top 5 places to visit in Gangnam and her 3 favorite K-Beauty skincare products.

Phoebe Corey photographed by David Cha (l)

Welcome to Gangnam. The city of Seoul is like no other. Even after ten years of living here, I’m still in discovery mode. Ever evolving, this city and its people are always on the move. Today a new café, tomorrow a pop-up art installation - Seoul is a never-ending maze of places to see and things to do. Let’s talk about a small part of that maze, the district of Gangnam.

Gangnam is home to the most affluent. Dubbed the ‘Beverly Hills of South Korea’ you can find the streets lined with department stores, underground shopping centers, expensive eateries and hipster cafés, upscale hair salons, skin, and plastic surgery clinics. The luxury market in Gangnam is huge, with brick-and-mortar stores of brands like Hermes, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Chanel everywhere. For me, Gangnam is all about self-indulgence. I normally come here when I want to go shopping or when I want to indulge in a little pampering session (also known as a haircut and facial) from the best in the business.

MY TOP 5 PLACES TO VISIT IN GANGNAM

1. COEX Mall is located underneath the Korea World Trade Center and is one of the largest underground shopping centers in South Korea. It is full of shopping, restaurants, and cafes. My favorite place inside though has to be the Starfield Library. It is a spectacular library filled to the brim with books- 70,000 to be exact! I love how the space is organized with comfortable little reading nooks. A great place for an appointment or to have a coffee - you could literally spend all day here.

2. Sinsa Garosu-gil: On arrival, you will notice perfectly manicured trees lining either side of a long shopping street. This little area is packed with clothing boutiques, upscale cafes and restaurants, cosmetic shops, and cosy wine bars. Although Sinsa is quite a trendy neighborhood it somehow manages to feel intimate and relatively stress-free. It’s the perfect place to stroll, shop, and sip.

Phoebe Corey photographed by David Cha (l), Sinsa Garosu-gil (r)

3. Sulwhasoo Flagship Store you don’t need to be a big fan of K-Beauty to visit the Sulwhasoo flagship store in Gangnam. If you’re merely a fan of beautifully designed spaces you must visit this store. The building was designed to appeal to all the senses, in a way that captures you immediately as you approach the building leaving a strong impression long after you’ve left. The flagship offers a free guided tour of their premises (so popular you need to book weeks in advance!). You can even dress in a hanbok (Korean traditional wear) for the several instagrammable moments you are guaranteed to have.

4. Gentle Monster, Haus Dosan Ever saw an out-of-space robot probe? Me neither... until I visited Haus Dosan. Haus Dosan is home to popular Korean sunglasses brand Gentle Monster- the brand that has been at the very forefront of redefining the retail experience. Their innovations know no bounds and their retail spaces impeccably combine art, fashion, and technology. Currently on exhibit is their collaboration with French designer Marine Serre.

5.Felt Café In Korea we have a very strong “coffee shop culture”. But it’s not just about getting our caffeine fix, it’s about getting that fix in a beautiful space and documenting it with a photo of course. Across the street from Haus Dosan is another very well-designed space just waiting to be Instagrammed. Felt café feels so new with its cool grey exterior and gigantic potted plant suspended over Martian-like red rocks. Always packed with people for good reason – coffee and a view!

MY TOP 3 K-BEAUTY PRODUCTS

1. Mamonde Rose Water Toner

Do you remember that 10 step Korean skincare routine? Toning is one of those steps. Immediately after using a cleansing agent, our skin can feel dry and tight, using a toner not only restores the natural PH balance of the skin but it also acts as another cleansing step, removing remnants of a foam cleanser and impurities from our water. With over 90% real rose water this best-selling toner simultaneously cleanses, soothes, and rehydrates skin. I’ve tried different toners and I always come back to this one. She’s a keeper!

2. Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

When I first came to Korea, I was obsessed with two things: ginseng and sesame oil. The benefits of ginseng span back thousands of years and has been a staple in Korean holistic health and beauty. Naturally, I had my eye on this brand well known for its signature ginseng products and I was so gassed when my husband surprised me with a pot of their renewing cream. It is a super-rich ginseng-infused anti-aging cream.... that actually works. I saw a clear improvement in the fine lines around my eyes and overall, my skin felt very well nourished. The price is a bit steep but I promise you it is so worth it.

3. Dr. G Deep Moist Up Sun+ SPF50+ PA++++

Created for sensitive dry skin this sun cream is full of hyaluronic acid that deeply moisturizes and strengthens the skin barrier. It also contains anti-aging properties which is especially vital when combating the effects of sun damage. It leaves skin with a beautiful glow and works so well under makeup that you’d forget you were even wearing sun cream. Hydration and protection – I’ll take it!

Phoebe Corey: @phoebecorey_