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15 Must-Visit Pop-ups in Hongdae This Week (May 4–11): Anime, K-Pop & Character Picks
Hongdae becomes anime city this week — Chainsaw Man, CLAMP, Haikyu!! and 7 other anime collab cafes plus BABYMONSTER's K-pop pop-up, Fuggler at Sangsangmadang and a viral fox character pop-up. 15 free Hongdae pop-ups for May 4–11, 2026.
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Hongdae quietly turned into Seoul's biggest anime hub this spring, and the week of May 4–11, 2026 is the peak. The newly-opened AK Plaza Hongdae anime floor alone is hosting six simultaneous collab pop-ups — Chainsaw Man, CLAMP 30th anniversary, Kamisama Kiss, Kinpachi-sensei × animate Cafe, White Tiger & Black Tiger, and Yumeiro Patissiere — while Sinchon and Hapjeong host four more anime collab cafes (Today I Became a Deity, Makoto Shinkai, My Dress-Up Darling S2 and Haikyu!!).
It's not just anime: BABYMONSTER's first solo pop-up lands at Hapjeong, the viral byeoljeongjik (public-officer drama) webtoon collab cafe is mid-run, and three more character/beauty pop-ups round out the lineup. We've sorted all 15 into five zones — AK Plaza Hongdae Anime Hub, Sinchon/Hapjeong Anime, K-Pop & Webtoon, Character & Toys, and K-Beauty — so you can plan a single afternoon at AK Plaza or stretch the run across the Children's Day weekend (Tuesday May 5).
Zone 1 — AK Plaza Hongdae Anime Hub (6 pop-ups, one building)
AK Plaza Hongdae opened a dedicated anime/idol floor earlier this year and it has become Seoul's most concentrated anime collab venue. Six simultaneous pop-ups run on the same floor, all within 50 meters of each other — the most efficient anime crawl in Seoul. From Hongik University Station (Line 2 / AREX) Exit 1, AK Plaza is a 2-minute walk; the anime floor is reached via the dedicated escalator inside.
1. Chainsaw Man Pop-up Store
The biggest anime IP of 2026 lands at AK Plaza Hongdae — Chainsaw Man with the long-awaited Reze arc merchandise alongside Denji, Power and Makima staples. Limited-edition acrylic stands, character-themed bag charms, and a photo zone built around Pochita are the obvious magnets, but the real flex is the Korea-exclusive prints you won't find at the Tokyo run.
1
Chainsaw Man Pop-up Store at AK PLAZA Hongdae
MAPPA x SMG bring the official Chainsaw Man pop-up store to AK PLAZA Hongdae from April 17 to May 19, 2026. Located on the 4th floor LIMITION space, the pop-up celebrates the hit anime with original merchandise, bonus reservation perks, and exclusive items featuring Denji, Power, and the Public Safety devil hunters. Reservations are required — a destination event for anime fans visiting Seoul's Hongdae youth district.
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2. CLAMP 30th Anniversary Exhibition Pop-up
The legendary all-female mangaka collective behind Cardcaptor Sakura, xxxHolic, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle and Magic Knight Rayearth celebrates 30 years with a touring exhibition pop-up. The Hongdae stop bundles original-art reproductions with limited 30th-anniversary merchandise — a must for anyone who grew up on '90s and '00s shojo magic.
2
CLAMP Exhibition
Legendary Japanese manga-creator collective CLAMP gets a five-theme retrospective at Omuseum on the 4th floor of AK PLAZA Hongdae from April 16 to July 19, 2026. CLAMP Exhibition Selection walks visitors through Color, Love, Adventure, Magic, Phrase, Imagination, and Dream rooms drawn from Cardcaptor Sakura, xxxHOLiC, and more. The Hongdae university-belt setting makes it a perfect anime-fan stop alongside cafés and shopping.
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3. Kamisama Kiss Pop-up
A pop-up dedicated to the long-running shojo classic Kamisama Kiss (神様はじめました), with brand-new illustrations of Nanami and Tomoe alongside the Mizuki and Kurama lineup. Tarot-style postcards, kimono-graphic acrylics and a shrine-themed photo zone make this the most photogenic stop on the floor.
3
Kamisama Kiss Pop-up Hongdae
Beloved Japanese anime Kamisama Kiss lands at AK PLAZA Hongdae's Satellite Plus on the 2nd floor from April 11 to May 14. Anime fans visiting Seoul's youthful Hongdae nightlife district can meet ordinary high schooler Nanami and silver-haired tsundere fox spirit Tomoe through themed photo zones, exclusive goods, and event-only merchandise inside one of Korea's busiest shopping malls.
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4. Kinpachi-sensei × animate Cafe Pop-up
A collab cafe-style pop-up at AK Plaza Hongdae built around the cult anime sensation Kinpachi-sensei (3年B組金八先生). Themed drinks, limited dessert plates and bromide photo cards sit alongside the menu — order any drink to claim a random character coaster.
4
Kinpachi-sensei x Animate Cafe Pop-up Hongdae
Anime collab cafe "3-Nen Z-Gumi Kinpachi-sensei" lands at Animate Cafe inside AK Plaza Hongdae from May 1 to June 3, 2026. Expect themed drinks, exclusive original goods, and photo ops styled around the cult Japanese school drama anime adaptation. Located on the fifth floor of AK Plaza near Hongik University Station, it's an easy stop for travelers exploring Hongdae's youth culture and indie shopping scene.
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5. White Tiger & Black Tiger Pop-up
White Tiger & Black Tiger (白虎と黒虎) — the BL light-novel-turned-anime that became a 2025 sleeper hit — arrives at AK Plaza Hongdae with new cover art, voice-actor signed prints and limited can-badge sets. Run is short, and BL fandom in Korea moves fast: come early-week if you can.
5
White Tiger and Black Tiger Pop-up Hongdae
Japanese illustrator Sasami Nitori brings her hit SNS character series White Tiger and Black Tiger to a two-week official pop-up at AK Plaza Hongdae's second floor, from May 1 to 14. Visitors can pick up cute character goods, plush toys, stationery, and exclusive Korea-only merch in one of Seoul's busiest youth shopping districts. A fun stop for travelers who follow Japanese illustrator culture or want quirky Hongdae souvenirs.
서울 마포구 양화로 188 (동교동, 애경타워)
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6. Yumeiro Patissiere Collaboration Cafe
The nostalgic comeback. Yumeiro Patissiere (夢色パティシエール) — the patisserie shojo that defined the early 2010s — returns for a Hongdae collab cafe with character-themed cakes, sweets-themed merchandise, and a Café Henri-styled interior. Sweet, slow, very Instagram-friendly.
6
Yumeiro Patissiere Collaboration Cafe
Beloved anime Yumeiro Patissiere comes to life at BOX cafe&space in AK Plaza Hongdae. Enjoy themed desserts, exclusive merchandise, and character-inspired interiors across two seasonal menus (recette 1 & 2).
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Zone 2 — Sinchon & Hapjeong Anime (4 collab cafes)
Four more anime collab cafes spread across Sinchon and Hapjeong — slightly farther from Hongdae's main drag but each has been the talk of Korean anime Twitter. All are within one subway stop of Hongik University Station, and you can chain Sinchon (3 min by Line 2) → Hongdae → Hapjeong (3 min by Line 2) in a single afternoon.
7. Today I Became a Deity × omake Collab Cafe (Sinchon)
The 2026 isekai breakout Today I Became a Deity (今日、神様になりました) at Sinchon's omake collab cafe — themed full-course menu with a deity-tier dessert plate, original drink coasters and a one-of-a-kind 'divine altar' photo zone. Reservation strongly recommended for weekends.
7
Today I Became a Deity x Cafe Omake Collab Cafe Sinchon
Japanese anime 'Today I Became a Deity' (Kyou Kara Kamisama) takes over Cafe Omake at Hyundai Department Store U-PLEX Sinchon B2 from April 24 to June 24. Order themed drinks and desserts featuring fox spirit Mikoto and friends, then collect collab merchandise during your visit. A relaxed two-month run perfect for anime fans staying in the Hongdae-Sinchon area.
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8. Makoto Shinkai × Moae-Ku Collab Pop-up (Sinchon)
A dedicated pop-up celebrating the works of Makoto Shinkai (新海誠) — Your Name, Weathering With You, Suzume — at Moae-Ku in Sinchon. Limited art prints, scene-themed merchandise and a small immersive room screening selected scenes back-to-back. Anime film fans, this is the stop.
8
Makoto Shinkai x MOAE-KU Collab Pop-up Sinchon
Acclaimed Japanese anime director Makoto Shinkai gets a tribute pop-up and collab cafe at MOAE-KU inside Hyundai Department Store Sinchon U-PLEX B2 from April 22 to May 11. Spanning Voices of a Distant Star through Suzume, the shop sells lenticular keyrings, photo cards from eight films, and themed cafe drinks. A must for anime fans visiting the Hongdae-Sinchon area.
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9. My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Collab Cafe
My Dress-Up Darling (その着せ替え人形は恋をする) Season 2 launched in 2026 and the official collab cafe lands in Hongdae for the run. Marin Kitagawa cosplay-themed cakes and parfaits, character-illustrated drinks, and limited can-badges from the Season 2 lineup. Fan service of the highest order.
9
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Collab Cafe
Celebrate the long-awaited Season 2 of My Dress-Up Darling at this themed collaboration cafe inside Aniplus Seoul Hapjeong. Enjoy character-inspired drinks like Marin's Choco Shake and Arisa's Coffee Float (6,500 KRW each), plus a daily-limited Black Burger with exclusive tapestry. Official collab merchandise includes acrylic stands, can badges, and mugs.
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10. Haikyu!! Pop-up Store
The volleyball juggernaut Haikyu!! (ハイキュー!!) lands at Hongdae with a dedicated pop-up store — Karasuno, Nekoma, Aoba Johsai jersey-themed merchandise plus the new movie-tie-in lineup. Trading-card draws are the main daily draw; staff restock at noon and 5 PM.
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Haikyu!! Popup Store
Calling all Haikyu!! fans! The 'Break Time' popup is coming to AK Plaza Hongdae, featuring brand-new illustrations of your favorite characters during their downtime, plus exclusive original merchandise. Get ready for some volleyball-themed fun this spring!
188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
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Zone 3 — K-Pop & Webtoon
Two of Hongdae's biggest non-anime pop-ups this week — one K-pop debut moment, one viral webtoon-meets-cafe-collab.
11. BABYMONSTER Pop-up (Hapjeong)
YG's rookie group BABYMONSTER drops its first major solo pop-up at Hapjeong — limited photocards, member-themed installations, lucky-draw events and a fan-meet-styled photo zone. The first weekend was MONSTIEZ-only chaos; by mid-week (Tue–Thu) the lines settle to manageable. Hapjeong Station (Line 2 / Line 6) Exit 8, 5 min walk.
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BABYMONSTER Pop-up Hapjeong
YG Entertainment's rookie girl group BABYMONSTER celebrates its third mini-album with an official Seoul pop-up at theSameE Hapjeong, May 5 to 11, 2026. Fans can browse exclusive merchandise alongside the new release, with online support from YG Select. The Hongdae-adjacent Hapjeong location is a must for K-pop travelers visiting indie cafes, music shops, and the nearby Han River park during their Seoul trip.
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12. Byeoljeongjik (Public Officer) × Tunique Collab Cafe
Byeoljeongjik (별정직) — the viral Korean webtoon turned 2026 K-drama hit about a temporarily-appointed public officer — runs a collab cafe with Tunique in Hongdae. Drama-themed drinks, character postcards, and a 'public office' photo zone. Drama and webtoon fans alike — surprise hit of the week.
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Special Civil Servant x Tunique Collab Cafe Pop-up Hongdae
Naver Webtoon's hit comedy Special Civil Servant teams up with Cafe Tunique for a Hongdae collab pop-up running May 6 to May 24, 2026. Step into the world of Han Maru, the rookie agent disguised as a low-rank official on top-secret missions. The Seogyo-dong cafe transforms with character cutouts, photo zones, themed menu items, and limited-edition merch. A must-visit for K-webtoon fans exploring Hongdae's youthful cafe scene.
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Zone 4 — Character & Toys
Two character pop-ups for travelers who want the cute-merch fix without the anime-cafe queue.
13. Bosongi (보송이) Fox Character Pop-up
Bosongi (보송이) — the fluffy fox illustration character that exploded on Korean Instagram in 2025 — gets a dedicated Hongdae pop-up with plushies, stationery, and a giant Bosongi photo backdrop. The plushies sold out at the Seongsu pre-run; expect daily restocks at the Hongdae location.
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Bosongi Fluffy Fox Character Pop-up Hongdae
Bobosong's Dessert Lab opens a three-floor cafe-and-pop-up in Hongdae's Wausan-ro from May 1 through May 24, featuring the fluffy fox character Bosongi. The first floor cafe serves themed collab desserts and drinks, while the third-floor pop-up zone stocks Bobosong and Tarot character merchandise. A character-cafe combo built for fans of cute Korean character culture.
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14. Fuggler Pop-up at Hongdae Sangsangmadang
Fuggler — the deliberately-ugly toothy plush brand from the UK — opens its first major Korean pop-up at the iconic Hongdae Sangsangmadang building. Full Fuggler line-up, limited Korea-edition Fugglers, and a 'too ugly to be cute' photo wall. The Sangsangmadang location alone is worth the visit.
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Fuggler Pop-up at Hongdae Sangsangmadang
British plush-toy character Fuggler — the toothy, ugly-cute monster figure fans line up for — returns to Hongdae's Sangsangmadang for a comeback pop-up running March 31 to May 10. The 2nd-floor space carries SpongeBob crossover Fugglers, the latest character drops, and pop-up-only goods. It's an easy stop for character-goods hunters and souvenir shoppers around Hongik University Station, KT&G Sangsangmadang's existing concept retail, and the busy Hongdae walking street.
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Zone 5 — K-Beauty
One K-beauty pop-up worth the stop — Hongdae's only beauty drop this week.
15. Nail Toctoc (네일톡톡) Pop-up
Nail Toctoc (네일톡톡) — the K-beauty self-nail brand riding the gel-press-on wave — lands a Hongdae pop-up with the full nail-art line, sample stations and limited Hongdae-exclusive designs. Mini-manicure stations are first-come-first-serve; come before noon for the shortest wait.
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NAIL TOCTOC Pop-up Hongdae
NAIL TOCTOC brings its express nail-art concept to Hongdae from April 1 to May 17, 2026. Promising 5-star quality nail art in just 5 minutes at one-fifth the typical price, the pop-up showcases trendy designs, seasonal colors, and quick-service options for budget-conscious travelers. Located on Eoulmadang-ro, just steps from Hongdae's main shopping streets — a great low-commitment beauty experience between Hongik University Station and Sangsu.
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Practical Tips
- AK Plaza Hongdae alone covers six pop-ups. Allow 2–3 hours if you want to browse all six properly. The dedicated anime floor opens at 11:00.
- Children's Day Tuesday May 5: Korea's biggest family holiday. Expect Hongdae's character pop-ups (Bosongi, Fuggler) and AK Plaza to be at peak crowd. Weekday afternoons (Wed–Thu) are dramatically calmer.
- Reservations: Most anime collab cafes (Today I Became a Deity, My Dress-Up Darling, Yumeiro Patissiere, Kinpachi-sensei) require Naver reservations on weekends. Walk-in slots open mid-week.
- Getting there: Hongik University Station (Line 2 / AREX / Gyeongui-Jungang) Exit 1 for AK Plaza and most Hongdae pop-ups; Sinchon Station (Line 2) Exit 3 for the two Sinchon collab cafes; Hapjeong Station (Line 2 / Line 6) Exit 8 for BABYMONSTER.
- Free entry: Every pop-up on this list is free to enter. Anime collab cafes require a per-person minimum order (usually one drink).
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