BLACKPINK JISOO x Hello Kitty Popup in Seoul: My Visit to the Cutest “Exchange Diary” Collaboration
If you’ve been anywhere near K-pop Twitter, Instagram Reels, or Seoul’s pop-up scene lately, you’ve probably heard of BLACKPINK’s JISOO x Hello Kitty pop-up.
I visited the Hello Kitty x JISOO pop-up in Seoul, and it was exactly the type of limited-time collaboration that makes you feel like you stepped inside a real-life collectible universe. Think: soft pink walls, oversized diary pages, plush displays everywhere, and the kind of merch that makes you say “I don’t need it”… while already holding it in your hands.
This blog post is a full recap of my experience — what it looked like inside, what merchandise I saw, what felt worth buying, and what sold out fast. If you’re planning to visit a similar pop-up event in Korea (or you just love Hello Kitty and JISOO), consider this your guide.
Today’s Stop : JISOO x Hello Kitty Popup (at KREAM Dosan Store)
Address : Eonju-ro 168-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Quick Summary (For Skimmers)
Theme: “Hello Kitty x JISOO” friendship concept with an “exchange diary” aesthetic
Vibe: Pastel pink, soft, dreamy, extremely photo-friendly
Best photo spots: The big JISOO character wall + diary set + giant figure display
Most popular items: Plush dolls, tumblers, slippers, keychains
Reality check: A lot of items were already sold out during my visit
What Is the JISOO x Hello Kitty Collaboration?
The JISOO x Hello Kitty collaboration is a limited-edition crossover between BLACKPINK’s JISOO and Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, styled around an ultra-cute “best friends” concept. The visuals lean heavily into a personal, girly, nostalgic theme — like two best friends trading secrets, stickers, and diary entries.
It’s not just basic Hello Kitty branding either. The character design is customized for this collab, with JISOO portrayed in the same simplified “chibi” style as Hello Kitty’s world: big eyes, soft blush cheeks, a sweet smile, and signature pink details that match Hello Kitty perfectly.
From the moment you step into the pop-up space, it feels less like a normal merchandise store and more like a themed exhibition.
First Impressions: The Entrance Is a Photo Zone
The very first thing you notice is the giant pink wall poster featuring the JISOO character design in full Hello Kitty-style form. It’s clean, minimal, and instantly recognizable — with the word “JISOO” printed in bold bubble letters at the bottom.
Even from outside, you can tell this isn’t a random retail space. It’s designed for people to stop, stare, and pull out their phones immediately.
The color palette is consistent everywhere:
warm pastel pink backgrounds
white accents
tiny Hello Kitty icons floating like wallpaper
soft, rounded typography that feels like stationery packaging
Inside the Popup: The “Exchange Diary” Concept Comes to Life
One of my favorite parts of the pop-up was how the design wasn’t only about selling items — it actually told a theme story.
Inside, there’s a huge display styled like a giant open diary book, with “Hello Kitty JISOO” written on one page, and cute illustrations that look like stamps or stickers you’d collect. The diary rings are oversized, so it feels like you’re standing inside a notebook.
It’s playful and super smart, because it makes the experience feel personal — like you’re part of the collab, not just buying from it.
And then right in front of that giant diary display… the characters.
The Characters: Hello Kitty and JISOO as Matching Pop Icons
There were large character statues on display:
Hello Kitty holding a microphone, dressed in pink
JISOO character holding a microphone, in a matching pink outfit
Both outfits have the same design details:
light pink dress
pearl belt detail (which makes it feel extra “JISOO” and not just random)
cute little performance vibe, like they’re in a mini concert together
They look like best friends on stage, and the styling is surprisingly elegant for something this cute. That pearl detail alone makes the entire collaboration feel more polished and premium.
If you’re going for photos, this is the main spot.
The Merch Wall: Keychains That Look Like Collectibles
One of the most addictive parts of this pop-up was the merch arrangement. Everything is displayed like a collector’s dream — not crowded, not messy, not “cheap shop.” It’s spaced out like a gallery.
There was a full plush keychain wall with multiple color variations. Each Hello Kitty character had a different dress color and it genuinely felt like collecting a full lineup.
And they’re not random colors either — each one looks like it could match a different outfit aesthetic. That’s exactly why these kinds of items sell out fast: they’re made for personalization.
If you’re someone who loves:
decorating bags
keychains on phone straps
cute add-ons for everyday items
…this section alone could ruin your budget.
The Items That Stood Out the Most
1) The Plush Dolls (Most Iconic)
There were plush dolls of:
Hello Kitty in the pink outfit
JISOO character in the matching outfit
Both are labeled clearly as collaboration character dolls, and they’re the type of item that becomes the “main collectible” everyone wants.
They’re also the most display-worthy. If you’re someone who loves cute home decor, these are the kind of plushies you put on your bed or shelf immediately.
2) The Pink Slippers (So Cute It’s Dangerous)
These were one of the most memorable items for me.
They’re fluffy, soft-looking, and have:
Hello Kitty on one slipper
JISOO character on the other
“HELLO KITTY” text detail around the top band
They look like something you’d wear at home while filming a “cozy night in Seoul” vlog.
And because it’s not just “cute,” but also useful, it’s one of those purchases you can justify instantly.
3) The Tumblers (Practical + Collectible)
The tumbler display was extremely popular, and some were sold out too.
The design is clean:
white tumbler body
pink handles and lid details
small character prints + “Hello Kitty JISOO” text
This is the perfect “everyday” merch item because it doesn’t scream merch — it looks like a premium lifestyle product.
4) The Plushies + Bag Accessories
Besides dolls, the pop-up had smaller plush collectibles and keychains that felt like perfect souvenirs if you didn’t want to spend too much.
They’re the easiest items to buy “just one” of… and then somehow you leave with five.
The Overall Atmosphere: Soft, Calm, and Extremely Photogenic
Some pop-ups in Seoul feel loud or crowded visually, but this one was surprisingly “clean” in design. Everything felt curated.
Even when there are a lot of products, the space doesn’t feel chaotic. It’s controlled and aesthetic — which is probably why the photos come out so pretty with almost no effort.
The whole vibe feels like:
a pink showroom
a Sanrio dream world
a mini fashion concept store
and a JISOO-coded mood board at the same time
It’s soft-girl perfection, but still modern enough to not feel childish.
Tips If You’re Visiting a Pop-up Like This in Seoul
Go Earlier Than You Think
If you want the popular merch, go early in the day. Limited collab items go fast, and “sold out” signs show up quickly.
Decide Your “Must-Buy” Before You Enter
Because once you see everything, you’ll want everything.
My advice:
pick one big item (doll / tumbler / slippers)
pick one small item (keychain / accessory)
and stop there if you want self-control
Wear Something That Matches the Color Palette
This sounds extra, but it’s practical. The entire pop-up is pink, so outfits like:
white
light pink
grey
cream
black + pink accents
…photograph really well inside the space.
Was It Worth Visiting?
If you’re a fan of JISOO, Hello Kitty, or pop-up culture in Seoul, yes — it’s worth it even just for the visuals.
Even if you don’t buy anything, the experience feels special because:
the theme is executed well
the displays are huge and immersive
the merch feels curated instead of random
and the overall space is just genuinely cute without trying too hard
It’s the kind of pop-up that makes you understand why Seoul is still the capital of “limited edition everything.”
Final Thoughts: A Pop-up That Feels Like a Memory
The best collaborations don’t feel like simple branding. They feel like a moment.
And the Hello Kitty x JISOO pop-up definitely felt like one of those “I was there” experiences — the kind you remember because it was cute, exciting, and slightly stressful (because everything sells out).
I left with the same thought most people probably had:
This collaboration is way too adorable to be limited-time.
