TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A pop-up store for the hit Netflix series "Stranger Things" (怪奇物語) opened in Taipei Wednesday (Dec. 3), featuring a global-exclusive "Hawkins Post" (霍金斯郵報) photo area that replicates the show's iconic newspaper office. The store draws massive crowds as fans eagerly anticipate the series' fifth and final season, which promises to return to the show's original Hawkins-centric storyline.
Amanda, a brand marketer for the pop-up store, reports the location attracts at least 300 visitors daily, with numbers soaring to over 500 on weekends. The massive turnout reflects the show's enduring popularity among Taiwanese fans. To meet overwhelming demand, the store features a pre-order system for popular merchandise, including Demogorgon-themed T-shirts and chibi character keychains.
Producer Shawn Levy revealed the fifth season will revisit the Hawkins-centric storyline, unfolding in three waves to disclose plot developments and character fates. Actor Cara Buono noted the new season will transport viewers back to the first season's memories. The season returns to the original cast's core stories, delivering a nostalgic experience for longtime fans of the series.
Actor Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays the villainous Vecna, shared a behind-the-scenes filming anecdote: he had to drink through a straw due to his character's elaborate prosthetic costume. The revelation delighted fans attending the pop-up store opening. Fans can expect more captivating developments as the fifth season progresses, promising a nostalgic yet thrilling journey back to the show's Hawkins origins. ◼
