Citizens Heading to Cafes and Department Stores Amid Consecutive Heatwaves

Hot heat builds up with daily record high temperatures... Seeking refuge indoors from the heat

On the 23rd, as the scorching heat continued, a franchise cafe in downtown Seoul was crowded with citizens. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

On the 23rd, when the scorching heat reached its peak, the streets of Myeongdong in Seoul were deserted. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

On the 23rd, when the heatwave showed no signs of easing, citizens visiting a department store in downtown Seoul were enjoying shopping. / Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The streets of Myeongdong in Seoul were quiet due to the implementation of social distancing Level 4 and the ongoing heatwave. Citizens hurried to find shade to escape the scorching sun. Ice cream shops that could have cooled the heat were closed due to long-term COVID-19 impacts. At the urban cooling spots, such as the floor fountain at Euljiro 1-ga Station and the Bank of Korea fountain, a few citizens gathered to cool off. Food delivery workers were busy without a moment to cool down in the refreshing water streams. Meanwhile, shopping malls and cafes were crowded with people seeking refuge from the midday sweltering heat. There were concerning scenes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, such as people having long conversations without wearing masks. The Korea Meteorological Administration predicted that the heatwave would continue through the weekend. We captured scenes around Myeongdong, Seoul on Friday afternoon.

On the 23rd, as the heatwave shows no signs of easing, citizens are cooling off at the ground fountain in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

On the 23rd, when the heatwave was raging, citizens were waiting for the bus in the shade at a bus stop in downtown Seoul. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

On the 23rd, when a heatwave around 37 degrees Celsius occurred mainly in the western region, citizens are cooling off at the Bank of Korea fountain in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

On the 23rd, during the ongoing heatwave, an ice cream shop in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, has closed down and its doors are shut. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

On the 23rd, as the heatwave continued, a delivery worker was busy moving around the water mist fountain in front of the Myeongdong Central Post Office in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@