Looking for a good jigsaw? Head for this puzzlers paradise

You ― jigsaw puzzle fans ― can stop searching for the perfect puzzle shop.
It’s in the Coex Mall in southern Seoul and it’s called Character In.
Sure, you’ve probably seen street vendors selling puzzles on the streets in Myeongdong or Sinchon. But they can’t be relied upon 365 days a year.
They’re like cops: When you need them, they’re never around. And when you least want to see them ― like when you’re broke ― they’ve got their tables set up with hundreds of new puzzles.
But Character In is open daily and keeps regular hours.
It’s hard to find a store that specializes in jigsaw puzzles. In fact, there’s only one other shop in Seoul that does ― at the Avatar Mall in Myeongdong.
Character In has puzzles with pictures of landscapes and classic pictures like Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss.”
The store also has puzzles with black-and-white photos and pictures of cute little animals. There are also glow-in-the-dark jigsaw puzzles as well as puzzles made out of cork, velvet or embossing ― something to suit every taste.
If your mother is like mine, she thinks jigsaw puzzles are a waste of time and money. My mom says I would be better off doing something useful, like knitting. Thanks to Character In, I now have a rebuttal. A sign on the shop’s door states that jigsaw puzzles are good for relieving stress, improving concentration and preventing dementia. Preventing dementia? Maybe I should get my mother to do a puzzle or two with me.
Since the store is located at the far end of the corridor leading to the Coex Inter Continental Seoul hotel, it’s easy to miss. Just be patient and walk a few more steps after passing the Megabox theater and McDonalds.

Character In
Theme: Jigsaw puzzles
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Location: Coex Mall, Gangnam. Take subway Line No. 2 to Samseong Station.

by Min Byung-hee