{
  "id": 19123555,
  "title": "From police intervention to celebrity fans: Seoul scarf seller becomes unlikely 'idol'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/from-police-intervention-to-celebrity-fans-seoul-scarf-seller-becomes-19123555",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T09:02:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/trends/20261109/from-police-intervention-to-celebrity-fans-seoul-scarf-seller-becomes-unlikely-idol"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A scarf vendor at Seoul's Namdaemun Market has become an unlikely celebrity sensation. His popularity has been so overwhelming that police have had to intervene and private security guards have been brought in to manage the crowds. Fans from the world of Korean entertainment have also taken notice, with some visiting his stall to meet him. The vendor has gained a massive following on social media due to his humorous comments, engaging conversations with customers, and magnetic sales skills. This surge in popularity has earned him the nickname \"Namdaemun idol,\" turning a humble scarf stall at one of Seoul's oldest traditional markets into an unexpected tourist hotspot. Out of concern for safety, the vendor briefly closed his stall on Thursday after police were called to control the large group of admirers. However, when he reopened the following day, three private security guards were stationed outside the shop to assist in maintaining order. Notably, comedian Kim Hye-sun was among the latest celebrities to experience this phenomenon firsthand. In a video uploaded to her YouTube channel \"Grace Sun\" on Friday, Kim visited the vendor's stall and shared her experience with her viewers.",
  "summary": "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…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}