{
  "id": 18866094,
  "title": "What brings us back to old Seoul",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/what-brings-us-back-to-old-seoul",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T05:27:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20261108/what-brings-us-back-to-old-seoul"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A scarf seller in Namdaemun Market became an internet sensation this autumn by inquiring with customers about their motivations for purchasing scarves they would never wear. His approach to sales was unconventional, often drawing laughter at his comments that customers were squandering their money. What made him stand out was the quality of interaction he fostered, which he attributes to the charm of conversation. However, his newfound fame inadvertently became a hindrance. The throngs of visitors made it challenging for him to engage in meaningful dialogue and disrupted merchants operating nearby. In response, he invited people to visit the market at their own pace, rather than rushing solely to witness him. This predicament highlights an important inquiry about Seoul's revitalized neighborhoods: what transforms a first-time visit into a lasting connection?\n\nGrowing up, I had the opportunity to accompany my parents and grandparents to Jongno and Euljiro. I fondly recall wandering through Pimatgol's narrow alleys behind Jongno's main road and browsing through the electronics shops of Sewoon Sangga. A bowl of naengmyeon, or Korean cold noodles, enjoyed in Euljiro is one of those cherished memories.",
  "summary": "A scarf seller in Namdaemun Market became an online celebrity this autumn by asking customers why they were buying scarves they would never wear. He jokes that they are wasting their money. It is an unusual sales pitch. Much of its charm lies in the conversation. Then success got in the way. The proprietor explained that the crowds were making conversation difficult and inconveniencing…",
  "key_points": [
    "Seller in Namdaemun Market gained internet fame for unconventional sales approach.",
    "His interaction style contrasted with throngs of visitors disrupting nearby merchants."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The sudden popularity of a single merchant reveals the tension between viral internet fame and the sustainable, human-centered interactions that define the authentic charm of Seoul's historic markets.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}