The Reuge music makers are opening a second store in Busan, Korea, just in time to greet the 2018 Winter Olympics.

At a time when all the world seems poised for turmoil, it may be that music is what saves us all. And who knows, maybe Reuge’s musical creations are having an effect.

North Korea and South Korea have been estranged since the middle of last century. Yet maybe now we are seeing the first signs of some sort of mutual understanding. Can it be a coincidence that Reuge is opening their second music store in the city of Busan in South Korea? These are strange times, but perhaps they bring in strange good things as well.

What is definitely known is that Reuge, that Swiss maker of mechanical harmonies, has taken a boutique in the Lotte Department Store at 772 Gaya-daero, Busanjin-gu. Luxforest is the distribution partner of Reuge in Korea, and they have opened a 43-square-meter space. They are keeping excellent company, too: their musical tones float through the air to be heard in the nearby locations of such friends as Bulgari, DeBeers, Hublot, and Chopard.

And word has spread. The area has become the spot to meet for not just fine shopping but for the tunes of singing mechanical machines as well. The boutique at 772 Gaya-daero, Busanjin-gu. is open for 10 hours a day, and the store is constantly in use. Their qualified staff present the Reuge selections from the collection, and they also help clients to find the piece that is right for them – the service even extends to creating bespoke pieces for those customers who know exactly what they want to bring home forever.

It may even be the start of a new tradition. Who knows? Maybe a generation from now, an elder couple will sit listening to a tinkling, mechanical piece that has grown old along with them, and turn to tell their grandchildren, “We met at the Reuge.”