Posted on Oct 31, 2022
Here's why Seoul's Itaewon district was so packed ahead of the deadly crowd surge
541
7
3
5
5
0
https://www.npr.org/2022/10/31/ [login to see] /itaewon-seoul-halloween-stampede
The neighborhood of Itaewon, a trendy hub for foreigners and foreign cuisine in South Korea's capital, became the location of a deadly crowd surge on Saturday night. More than 150 people died, including at least two U.S. citizens.
Some 100,000 people were estimated to have passed through the neighborhood that night to celebrate Halloween. The area is studded with vintage shops, restaurants, pubs inspired by Western countries, and nightclubs.
NPR spoke with some South Korean citizens in their 20s to find out what makes Itaewon (pronounced ee-tae-won) such a popular location for young people to flock to for nightlife, particularly during the Halloween season.
The neighborhood of Itaewon, a trendy hub for foreigners and foreign cuisine in South Korea's capital, became the location of a deadly crowd surge on Saturday night. More than 150 people died, including at least two U.S. citizens.
Some 100,000 people were estimated to have passed through the neighborhood that night to celebrate Halloween. The area is studded with vintage shops, restaurants, pubs inspired by Western countries, and nightclubs.
NPR spoke with some South Korean citizens in their 20s to find out what makes Itaewon (pronounced ee-tae-won) such a popular location for young people to flock to for nightlife, particularly during the Halloween season.
Here's why Seoul's Itaewon district was so packed ahead of the deadly crowd surge
Posted from npr.org
Halloween
Seoul
South Korea
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
1
1
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Attendance soared this year after two pandemic falls
But like many other neighborhoods in Seoul, Itaewon saw a significant decrease in traffic in recent years due to the pandemic. In May 2020, authorities identified Itaewon as the origin of a COVID-19 outbreak that led to over 50 cases.
"The peak of Halloween festivities was right before the pandemic," Shin said. "Everyone I knew would go to Itaewon to celebrate Halloween. But when the pandemic began, Itaewon nightlife totally died. Clubs shut down."
Both Shin and Kim said the loosening of COVID restrictions have encouraged more people to go out this year.
"I think in 2022 in general, people were very thirsty for parties and social gatherings," Kim said."
..."Attendance soared this year after two pandemic falls
But like many other neighborhoods in Seoul, Itaewon saw a significant decrease in traffic in recent years due to the pandemic. In May 2020, authorities identified Itaewon as the origin of a COVID-19 outbreak that led to over 50 cases.
"The peak of Halloween festivities was right before the pandemic," Shin said. "Everyone I knew would go to Itaewon to celebrate Halloween. But when the pandemic began, Itaewon nightlife totally died. Clubs shut down."
Both Shin and Kim said the loosening of COVID restrictions have encouraged more people to go out this year.
"I think in 2022 in general, people were very thirsty for parties and social gatherings," Kim said."
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Thanks for sharing this, as used to shop there once upon a time!
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google