Clubs, Karaoke, and Emotional Pubs Stretch Out After a Long Time... Waiting Lines and Reservation Tickets
Masked 2030 Generation Says "Let's Keep Going Until the End" Continues Aggressive Spending
On the 23rd at 11 p.m., marking the first weekend since the full lifting of social distancing measures, the streets of Chungjang-ro in Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, remain bustling with continuous foot traffic from citizens.
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] "One more drink!"
At 11 p.m. on the 23rd, the first weekend after the full lifting of social distancing, in the Chungjang-ro area of Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.
As a representative playground for the MZ generation in the region, the footsteps of the young generation, previously bound by masks, did not stop, creating an atmosphere where the commercial district seemed to have recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels.
The streets were lively with music from clubs and emotional pubs as if nothing had happened, and the dazzling neon lights drove away the darkness, adding to the anticipation of returning to normal life.
Many pubs were almost fully occupied with group customers, and in some places, waiting lines formed outside the entrances due to lack of seats.
Jeong Hee (56, female), the owner of a chicken restaurant, was busy wearing an apron and either working in the kitchen or serving in the hall due to a shortage of staff. It was a "happy scream."
Jeong said, "It was very difficult during COVID-19, but now the dormant downtown area is becoming lively, and sales are gradually recovering," breathing a sigh of relief.
She added, "Once the store gets back on track, I will hire part-time workers again," and said excitedly, "The number of alcohol customers, which was previously none, has increased, and calling substitute drivers has become a job."
Even karaoke rooms, which were hit hard by COVID-19, echoed with accompaniment sounds for the first time in a while.
At the entrance of one karaoke room, customers were waiting by drawing waiting numbers. When asked "How much have sales recovered?" a staff member said, "There is no time to catch a breath, so I don't have time for an interview," and quickly disappeared from sight.
Another karaoke room staff said, "Since the lifting of distancing on the 18th, reservations have been fully booked," and smiled brightly, saying, "Sales are recovering again, so I feel good."
Citizens who had to return home with regrets due to business hour restrictions enjoyed freedom to the fullest on this day and appeared very excited. They released their suppressed desires and continued "aggressive consumption."
A group walking the streets wearing clothes expressing their individuality joked, "Let's go all out today," and hurried to their second destination.
Kim Hae-il (30) said, "While preparing for employment, I often had to keep my frustrations to myself," and smiled brightly, "Now that distancing is lifted, I can meet friends and relieve stress, which is great."
However, shadows existed behind the dazzling lights.
Despite being a commercial district with heavy foot traffic, traces of stores that could not endure the prolonged COVID-19 situation and eventually closed down were visible. Especially compared to the crowded streets on this day, the "shadow" looked particularly large.
Office worker Kim Sun-ho (29) said, "With the government's easing of quarantine measures, self-employed people have been relieved, but for the commercial district to get back on track, vacant stores need to be filled to maintain a solid commercial area," and added, "I hope no more stores close."
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