From police intervention to celebrity fans: Seoul scarf seller becomes unlikely 'idol'
A scarf vendor at Seoul's Namdaemun Market has become an unlikely celebrity, drawing crowds so large that police have been called to the scene and private security guards hired to maintain order. His popularity has also caught the attention of Korean entertainers, some of whom have visited his stall to meet him in person. The vendor has gone viral on social media for his witty remarks, playful…
A humble scarf seller at Seoul's historic Namdaemun Market has become an unexpected celebrity sensation. The stall's owner draws such large crowds that police are frequently required to intervene, and private security is brought in to manage the throngs. Even Korean entertainers have taken notice, visiting the vendor's stall to meet him in person.
The vendor's rise to fame has been fueled by his charming quips, friendly chats with shoppers, and engaging sales techniques. This has earned him the endearing nickname "Namdaemun idol," transforming a typical scarf stand in one of Seoul's oldest markets into a tourist hotspot. The popularity has reached such a fever pitch that the stall temporarily closed on Thursday due to safety concerns, following the arrival of police to control the crowds.
On the following day, three private security guards were seen patrolling outside the shop to maintain order. A recent celebrity to experience the phenomenon was comedian Kim Hye-sun, who visited the stall and shared her experience in a video posted to her YouTube channel "Grace Sun" on Friday.
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.
