'Only Used Goods Pile Up' Scene of Hwanghak-dong Kitchen Street

Published 05 Aug.2021 10:41(KST)

On the 5th, as COVID-19 prolongs, the wrinkles of small business owners and self-employed people deepen. In Hwanghak-dong Kitchen Street, Seoul, a merchant is moving used kitchenware. Used items as tall as a person fill the alley. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

A merchant is moving used household items. There are no customers on the street, only trucks carrying secondhand goods passing by. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

As the COVID-19 pandemic prolongs, the number of self-employed business owners going out of business is increasing, leading to a buildup of various used kitchenware and equipment. This is Seoul's Hwanghak-dong Kitchen Street, where utensils and equipment from closed restaurants find new owners. Used items as tall as a person fill every alley. With no one starting new businesses, the used goods are covered in a layer of dust. Amid people's indifference, only a sense of silence lingers. Here is a collection of photos capturing the atmosphere of the kitchen street.

Used items are piling up due to the restaurant closure. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

A merchant is cleaning used furniture. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

A merchant is unloading secondhand goods from a truck. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Various second-hand kitchen utensils are waiting for customers. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The Hwanghak-dong Kitchen Street is deserted due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and heatwave. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@