4 years on, Itaewon businesses face Halloween with mixed expectations
The streets of Itaewon have gone through several iterations over the years — not just the place itself but the meaning attached to it. If you ask someone from the early 2000s or even the 2010s, they would paint a completely different landscape from the Itaewon that exists today. Itaewon is going through a period of social reconstruction, fueled by several factors — the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022…
Four years after the Itaewon Halloween crowd crush tragedy, local businesses are navigating mixed expectations as they brace for another Halloween season. The area has undergone significant changes over the years, evolving from its early 2000s landscape to the current incarnation. Factors contributing to this transformation include the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 tragedy, the U.S. military's departure from Yongsan Garrison, commercial redevelopment, and recent restrictions on Itaewon businesses.
Despite the challenging atmosphere, some business owners remain hopeful about the future. Linus Kim, a long-time owner of Linus BBQ, anticipates a stronger Halloween nightlife compared to the immediate aftermath of the crowd crush. The local nightlife sector has experienced a notable resurgence in recent times, fueled by a new generation that came of age during the pandemic.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
