"The Special Demand from the College Entrance Exam Is a Thing of the Past" Even After the Exam, Gwangju's Downtown Area Remains 'Deserted'

The 'Suneung Special' Disappears Even in the With-Corona Era... Small Business Owners Sigh

"Not as Good as Before" Some Skip Discount Events for Test Takers

On the 26th, a cafe located in Dong-gu, Gwangju, held an event for exam takers but is showing a quiet atmosphere.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Cho Hyung-joo] Although the phased return to normal life is underway, the 'Suneung special demand' in the bustling areas of Gwangju this year was a thing of the past.

Just two years ago, the main shopping streets were crowded with students who took the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), but due to the impact of COVID-19, the area remained quiet again this year, following last year.

On the 26th, in Dong-gu Chungjang-ro area, one of the largest bustling districts in Gwangju Metropolitan City.

Some stores put up signs at their entrances saying 'Discount for examinees' and waited for students, but it was difficult to find any students heading to the stores with their exam admission tickets.

Although the atmosphere of refraining from going out immediately after the CSAT was not as strong as last year due to the implementation of 'phased return to normal life,' merchants unanimously said there was no special demand related to the CSAT.

Last year was a direct hit from the COVID-19 crisis, but merchants’ expectations that the situation would be different this year with 'With Corona' were off the mark.

Mr. Kim, who runs a cafe in Dong-gu, said, "We expected many examinee customers and prepared a 'discount for examinees' event, but more than a week after the CSAT was held, not a single customer has come yet," adding, "I've been running the cafe for six years, but this year right after the CSAT seems to have the fewest customers."

Mr. Choi, who runs a clothing store, said, "Last year, only a very small number of examinees came during the discount period, and this year only one or two more came compared to last year," expressing, "It feels meaningless to hold the event."

On the 26th, the ticket booth of a movie theater in Chungjang-ro was deserted with no audience.

The situation was the same at movie theaters. In a normal year, students would flock to theaters after the CSAT, but on this day, it was hard to find customers in front of the unmanned ticket machines and snack counters.

A movie theater official said, "We have been continuously running CSAT events and promotions, but they have not been very effective," adding, "Although it is 'With Corona,' the recent increase in student COVID-19 cases in the Gwangju area worries us that even the few visitors we had might stop coming."

The telecommunications industry showed a similar atmosphere. Although various benefits and giveaways for examinees were offered at each agency, the atmosphere remained quiet.

An official at a mobile phone agency said, "After the CSAT, the store was always crowded with students coming with their parents to buy new phones, but this year, there was no significant special demand," sighing, "The commercial district has declined a lot since COVID-19, and Chungjang-ro is not like it used to be."

Due to the disappearance of the CSAT special demand atmosphere, some merchants did not even hold CSAT-related events from the start.

Ms. Yoon, who runs a cosmetics store, said, "I don't have high expectations just because 'With Corona' is underway," adding, "More university students come than examinees."

The restaurant district showed a similar atmosphere. Although they expected a 'Suneung special demand,' the dull atmosphere left business owners sighing.

A restaurant owner said, "Normally, after finishing the exam, examinees would dine out with friends and family, and the store would be full of customers," adding, "The Suneung special demand is all a thing of the past."