Fear Returns Riding Omicron, Swallowing With-Corona and Year-End Boom

December COVID Return Sales Freeze
Expectations for Normalcy Disappointed
Restaurants and Bars near Hongdaeipgu and Gangnam Stations
Most Tables Empty Due to Fewer Customers
Rushing Home Early Amid Infection Fears

Around 9:30 PM on the 1st, the streets near Gangnam Station in Seoul appeared quiet. Photo by Lee Jung-yoon

"I can't even remember when Hongdae Street was bustling with people. Shouldn't we consider that COVID-19 has no end?"

This is the story of Yoon Mo (54), who runs a karaoke bar near Hongik University in Mapo-gu, Seoul. On the night of the 1st, Hongdae Street, hit by freezing temperatures and COVID fears, appeared lifeless. Yoon said, "Even after the 'With Corona' policy in November, people would drink at year-end gatherings but wouldn't sing karaoke," adding, "Recovering sales is a dream that's hard to even think about." The Hongdae play culture, such as busking performances on the streets, has long since disappeared.

If November was 'With Corona,' then December is 'Corona Return' (COVID resurgence). Expectations over the past month that daily life would recover as vaccination rates surpassed 70% have turned into disappointment due to the emergence of new variants and the resurgence of COVID-19. On the first night of December, the scenes in major commercial districts in Seoul were bleak.

At around 9 p.m. that day, Song Ho-yeol (61), owner of a chicken and beer pub, said, "At this time, the place should be packed with customers for second-round gatherings," adding, "Since COVID started spreading again, the number of customers has sharply decreased since last weekend."

At 9 p.m. on the 1st, the streets near Hongik University in Mapo-gu, Seoul, were quiet, with a signboard reading "Busking Prohibited" standing there. Photo by Jeong Dong-hoon

The situation near Gangnam Station in Seoul was similar. The year-end atmosphere was hard to find, and the streets were quiet. Restaurants and bars full of customers were rare, and most had many empty seats. Some restaurants with only empty tables were busy closing up. People who visited the area hurried home after 10 p.m. Jung Mo (32), who had a company dinner with colleagues, said, "Although I got vaccinated, I came to Gangnam Station because I couldn't postpone the appointment any longer," adding, "I feel anxious thinking 'I might get infected too,' so I try to go straight home after work."

Self-employed people near Gangnam Station and Nonhyeon Station agreed that the rising number of confirmed cases has almost nullified the effects of 'With Corona' and the year-end and New Year holidays. Park Mo (53), who runs a beer pub, said, "Sales didn't increase with 'With Corona,'" adding, "I had hoped more customers would come, but with confirmed cases continuing to rise, I don't feel any significant change." He continued, "Today is a weekday, so I'm holding on with hope for Friday or the weekend." Choi Mo (49), who runs a barbecue restaurant, also said, "It's year-end and New Year, but there are no people on the streets," adding, "With so many confirmed cases, people seem to be shrinking back rather than going out, which is frustrating."

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