Despite having seen multiple videos online on the state of Myeongdong post-pandemic, it was truly another experience having seen it for ourselves. Here’s what Myeongdong looks like now:
Walking from the bus stop near Lotte Young Plaza (which seems to be doing fine with all the Xmas decorations going on), it felt like Myeongdong was pretty much happening on a weekday afternoon.
However, soon you realize that most people are just passing by, finding a place for lunch, or heading back to their offices. The first thing that hit us was the empty shops with lease signs on windows.
Instead of a huge HBAF almond store, the brand has downgraded to a simple shopfront.
Huge brands such as New Balance, Nike, Descente, 8 Seconds, and ABC Mart are still operating, with most of the smaller shops taking a hit from Covid-19.
The huge Olive Young in Myeongdong is still operating and has significantly lesser customers inside the shop.
We’ve also come across several for-lease shops with their inventory intact in the shops. Did they just abandon the place? The state of the shops did seem pretty post-apocalyptic.
Gone were the days where you could find people selling street food along the streets of Myeongdong. Thanks to Squid Game, there were a couple of kiosks selling Dalgona Candy, which made the streets smell like delicious caramel.
Will Myeongdong ever go back to its former glory? Only time will tell.
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