"'Delivery Workers Deserve It, Haha' Mocking 'Reckless Delivery Workers' Amid Daily Life Recovery"

Increase in Dining Out and Decrease in Delivery After With Corona
7,823 Motorcycle Traffic Violations Reported Over 3 Months Since May Last Year
Some Citizens Welcome "Reduced Stress from Reckless Delivery Drivers"

Delivery workers are speeding through an intersection in Seoul as if they are in a race. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Honestly, it was noisy, dangerous, and very difficult," "I feel very relieved."

Since the phased return to normal life (With Corona), dining out has increased, leading to a decrease in delivery demand. As delivery orders decline, the number of delivery workers who drove recklessly or made noise close to loud roaring has naturally decreased.

Given this situation, citizens say, "I was very stressed all this time, but now I feel like I can live a bit," while some mockingly say, "Good, dining out will increase and delivery will decrease from now on." This seems to reflect public criticism of the reckless driving behavior shown by delivery workers so far.

Since With Corona, restaurants across the metropolitan area have been bustling with customers. For example, family restaurant Ashley saw its sales in the 3rd and 4th weeks of October increase by more than 30% compared to the same period last month, and the number of customers visiting the stores rose by over 40%. According to related industries, CJ Foodville is restoring the seating distance in its stores such as VIPS and The Place to pre-social distancing levels. Additionally, dining promotions have resumed.

Following the government's implementation of With Corona, which eased business hour restrictions and customer limits, a pub in front of Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Seoul, was crowded with customers on the 1st. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, known as the 'Hipjiro' (a combination of the English word 'hip,' meaning trendy, and the place name), the number of young people in their 20s and 30s visiting this street on weekdays is increasing.

The situation is similar in the nearby 'Nogari Alley' in Euljiro. This alley, where draft beer and dried pollack (nogari) are sold, is filled with people enjoying nightlife, including office workers in their 20s, 30s, and even 40s and 50s, following With Corona. Kim, a man in his 30s who frequently visits Euljiro alleys, said, "Everyone has been vaccinated and is wearing masks properly," adding, "I'm happy that we seem to be returning to normal life."

On the other hand, delivery drivers, who became 'precious' due to increased demand for delivery food during COVID-19, have recently been looking gloomy. According to Mobile Index, a big data analysis solution by platform company IGAWorks, the total number of users of the top three delivery apps (Baedal Minjok, Yogiyo, Coupang Eats) from the 1st to the 4th of the month after With Corona was implemented was about 18.25 million (Android basis), a 4.8% decrease compared to two weeks earlier.

A delivery motorcycle is quickly crossing the crosswalk. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

Meanwhile, there is also hope that reckless driving and noise levels close to roaring by some delivery workers will decrease. Many citizens complained about delivery workers who, in their rush, crossed the center line, drove while looking at their smartphones, or especially sped with extreme noise.

Park, a man in his 40s, said, "Since delivery demand seems to be decreasing, there probably won't be urgent orders, so reckless driving will naturally decrease." Another office worker in his 30s said, "They used to come into the apartment with loud noise at night, which was very stressful," adding, "Now I think I can sleep more comfortably."

Citizens' complaints about reckless driving can also be confirmed by statistics. The 'Public Reporting Group' designated by the National Police Agency reported 7,823 motorcycle traffic violations over three months from May last year. Motorcycle noise is also a source of stress for citizens. The usual noise standard for two-wheelers is 105 decibels (dB). However, illegally modified motorcycles caught by the police in July 2018 recorded noise levels of 119 decibels. Driving inside complexes at night for late-night food delivery inevitably disturbs sleep.

Riders are waiting at the crosswalk signal. This appears to be for faster delivery. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

Meanwhile, the number of delivery app users is expected to continue decreasing after the transition to With Corona. According to Mobile Index, a big data analysis platform, from the 1st to the 12th after the With Corona policy was implemented, the total number of users of the top three delivery apps?Baedal Minjok, Yogiyo, and Coupang Eats (Android OS basis)?was 59,723,073.

This is about 4,727,000 (7.3%) fewer than the 64,450,081 users during the same period last month. By app, Baedal Minjok users decreased by 8.9% to 42,472,055, and Yogiyo users decreased by 7.5% to 10,335,108.

The third-ranked app, Coupang Eats, increased by 3.5% to 6,915,910 users from 6,683,732 last month. The fact that over 4.7 million fewer people used the top three delivery apps in about ten days compared to a month ago seems to be due to the significant increase in previously suppressed dining-out demand following the implementation of With Corona.

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