Itaewon business owners face a sullen holiday season

Itaewon on Christmas day

by comparison, Myeongdong on Christmas Eve

and Hongdae

Article: "Made 8 million won last year... 0 reservations this year" the tears of Itaewon business owners

Source: Korea Economy via Nate

1. [+1,082, -41] I was hoping that the owners would be able to get back to business by now, this is unfortunate to hear

2. [+1,023, -39] I don't think Itaewon will ever get back to business in the future

3. [+75, -5] I think it would feel so spooky having to walk around there... knowing that hundreds lost their lives right there. It would be hard to not feel something...

4. [+59, -6] The more people demand that we "never forget", the more businesses in Itaewon are going to fail. You're asking all of the small business owners to go bankrupt.

5. [+57, -4] To have this happen after going through the hell that was lockdowns... 

6. [+39, -6] The living must go on... it's unfair to expect an entire street to be forced to live in funeral mode. Stop politicizing this and let people move on.

7. [+21, -2] It's only been a few months, I don't think people can forget that easily. Maybe there's better hope for next year.

8. [+18, -1] The image of Itaewon has become that of a public cemetery... and no one's going to want to drink and dance on top of a cemetery.

9. [+17, -3] The entrance to Itaewon is plastered in memorial posts. Who would want to party there? No one took responsibility for ruining the Jindo economy when the Sewol Ferry tragedy happened. Take down all the post-its at Itaewon so it doesn't happen again.

10. [+16, -3] I had a year-end meeting planned near Hannamdong and everyone agreed to avoid the Itaewon station area. We all felt that we would feel sorry if we were to celebrate in that area, and it looks like others are thinking the same.

11. [+13, -1] What is it going to take for people to move on? For an Itaewon business owner to take their own life because of the financial strain? I know that this tragedy is sad and upsetting but we shouldn't be putting that burden on the living..

12. [+13, -1] Before the tragedy, Itaewon always had that image of being the hip and trendy spot to hang out at... and I'm sorry to feel this way now, but it feels so bleak there that I can't help but avoid it

13. [+11, -1] With the way the vibes are now, I feel like I'm going to get hate for even being there now.. ㅠ

14. [+11, -1] I honestly want to go but I'm too scared of being haunted by the ghosts who lost their lives so senselessly... They all lost their lives so suddenly..

15. [+9, -1] It wasn't just 1-2 lives but over 150 lives lost.. and most of our country saw pictures through Instagram... who would want to eat a meal there anymore? ㅠㅠㅠ Itaewon will be known as a dead business district in our country now ㅠㅠ

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