Open Saturdays and Sundays — keyrings, plush toys and lifestyle goods on offer
The Korea Racing Authority (KRA), led by President Woo Hee-jong, officially opened a character merchandise store called the Malma Friends Store on the first floor of the Happy Ville grandstand at Let's Run Park Seoul on June 20. Built around the KRA's official character Malma, the store has quickly become a new attraction at the grandstand, drawing families from its opening weekend.
Interest was already high before the official launch — more than 500 visitors stopped by during a soft opening on June 14. The store is decorated in the lemon yellow that serves as Malma Friends' signature color, with a yellow checkered floor that brings a bright, cheerful energy to the grandstand space. A large Malma figure wearing red heart-shaped glasses greets visitors at the entrance, while an oversized mirror covered in Malma Friends stickers inside has become a popular photo spot.
The Malma Friends Store is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It carries keyrings, plush toys, bags and lifestyle goods featuring the Malma Friends characters, alongside items that reflect the racetrack setting — including champion horse keyrings, horseshoe decorations symbolizing good luck, and scarves in a horse-tack pattern.
One visitor who came with family said she had no idea a racetrack would have such a charming merchandise shop. "I came out for a day trip with a friend and ended up staying much longer than expected — there was so much to look at," she said. "The character is just so cute and wholesome."
A KRA official said the authority plans to expand its product lineup and release seasonal limited editions. "We want to make visiting Let's Run Park even more enjoyable through Malma Friends," the official said.
Malma Friends is a character brand the KRA conceived and developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to bring comfort and laughter to a weary public.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
