[Report] The Reopened Bustling Nightlife District... Crowded Entertainment Areas with 'No' COVID-19 Prevention Measures

Crowded Scenes at Major Seoul Entertainment Districts like Gangnam Station, Hongdae, and Euljiro
Citizens Packed Not Only Indoors but Also at Outdoor Tables

Spitting on the Ground, Shoulder Hugging, and Even Embracing
Social Distancing and Mask Guidelines Ignored Despite Government Quarantine Measures

Around 10 p.m. on the 14th, Nogari Alley in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, was filled with citizens drinking alcohol. Most of them were enjoying their drinks with their masks pulled down halfway or not wearing them at all. Photo by Lee Jung-yoon leejuyoo@

[Asia Economy Reporters Byungdon Yoo, Jeongyun Lee] Around 10 p.m. on the 14th, Nogari Alley in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul. Despite it being Monday, the outdoor tables set up by bars were so crowded that it was hard to find an empty seat. Citizens, excited for a rare drinking occasion, sat closely packed at every table, raising their beer glasses and continuing conversations with those beside them. The distance between people was less than 1 meter, and most of them were either not wearing masks or had them pulled down halfway. Office worker Kim (43) said, "The weather is cool, and since we can now drink, I came with my colleagues for a drink after a long time," adding, "Because we are drinking outdoors, I don't think the risk of COVID-19 infection is high."

On the first day of easing social distancing from level 2.5 to level 2, major entertainment districts in Seoul were bustling with crowds of citizens. The government's appeals for thorough quarantine measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic were rendered ineffective.

The government announced on the 13th that it would lower the social distancing level in the metropolitan area to level 2 for the next two weeks in response to the COVID-19 situation. This decision was made considering the slight slowdown in the spread, with new confirmed cases in the low 100s, and the difficulties faced by small business owners and self-employed individuals. Accordingly, the restriction that only allowed takeout and delivery from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day at all general restaurants, cafes, and bakeries in the metropolitan area was lifted.

Around 10 p.m. on the 14th, a bar in Gangnam-gu, Seoul was filled with people drinking, both inside and at the outdoor tables. Most of them were enjoying their drinks with their masks pulled down halfway or not wearing them at all. Photo by Lee Jung-yoon leejuyoo@

On the first day of easing, major entertainment districts in Seoul regained vitality after a long time. The expressions of self-employed people running restaurants and bars also brightened considerably. A bar owner, Mr. A, said, "Although the number of customers is still far below usual foot traffic, many customers are coming since we resumed bar operations today," adding, "We suffered a big blow from not being able to operate for two weeks, so this gives us some relief."

However, as crowds gathered like this, the risk of cluster infections was found in many places. While the government set preconditions such as ▲spacing seats to secure distance between customers inside stores ▲limiting the number of people per table ▲wearing masks when adjusting restrictions, compliance seemed nearly impossible.

In fact, at around 11 p.m., a bar near Gangnam Station was packed with citizens at about ten tables both indoors and outdoors. Although the staff wore masks, none of the drinking customers observed distancing or mask-wearing guidelines. Staff member B said, "Mask-wearing and distancing are in the guidelines, but we can't tell every customer to follow them," adding, "At least they comply without much complaint when it comes to QR code scanning or signing visitor logs, so that's a relief."

Around 10 p.m. on the 14th, a bar in Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul was filled with citizens. Most of them were enjoying drinks with their masks pulled down halfway or not wearing them at all. Photo by Lee Jung-yoon leejuyoo@

At the same time, a pojangmacha-style bar in Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, was no different. This bar, which usually has a waiting time of over an hour due to its popularity among young men and women, was overflowing with people wanting to enjoy drinking late into the night after a long time. Visitors had to sign a visitor log at the entrance, but there was no separate verification process such as ID checks. Even if false information was provided, there was no system to filter it out.

Some of the drinking citizens left their masks on the table and gathered outside in small groups to smoke, spitting on the ground. It was easy to see intoxicated people putting their arms around each other's shoulders or hugging. No one worried about COVID-19 in the freedom that returned after two weeks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.