[Report] "With the heatwave and COVID-19... There really are no customers these days." [The Two Faces of the Heatwave]

Traditional Markets Facing Off-Season
Merchants and Customers Fanning Themselves Repeatedly
Corona and Heatwave Overlap, Causing Distress
"Summer Business Is Very Difficult"

On the afternoon of the 17th, Ahyeon Market in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Due to the heatwave, there are few visitors.

"Clearance sale, clearance sale. Take a basket of plums for 3,000 won."

On the afternoon of the 17th at Ahyeon Market in Mapo-gu, Seoul, a fruit and vegetable vendor who lowered the price of the remaining plums to 3,000 won per basket repeatedly shouted "clearance sale," but passersby did not linger long. They hurried along, saying, "It's too hot." The daytime temperature in Seoul exceeded 30 degrees Celsius that day.

Due to the nature of traditional markets, which lack proper air conditioning facilities, summer is a typical "off-season" for these markets. On top of that, vendors say that customer visits have stopped due to recent concerns over a resurgence of COVID-19. Around 3 p.m., when the scorching heat was at its peak, it was hard to find people in the market except for two customers who came to buy minced garlic. Vendors were resting in front of fans inside their shops or fanning themselves rather than coming outside to attract customers because of the heat.

Mr. Kim, in his 60s, who runs a twisted doughnut (kkwabaegi) shop, sighed, "Although summer is the off-season, there are really no people this year." He explained, "With COVID-19 worsening again and the heatwave combined, customer visits have decreased even more. We used to operate until 10 p.m., but these days we close by 7." Another customer buying kkwabaegi clicked his tongue, saying, "It's too hot. The owner in front of the fire must be having a harder time." Mr. Kang, also in his 60s, who runs a stall on the side of the market, complained, "Summer business is really tough. It's too hot to sell, and vegetables wilt faster."

Earlier, on the 15th, just before the peak of the first hot summer period (Chobok), the atmosphere at Mangwon Market in Mapo-gu was livelier. The market was shaded with awnings to block wind and rain, and water was sprayed from the ceiling to cool down the intense heat, helping those who came to buy ingredients for samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) to wipe their sweat. However, on the way to the market, sweat was already forming on the foreheads of citizens. The heat from the blazing sun combined with the asphalt raised the perceived temperature significantly. Visitors hurried along, using parasols and fanning themselves continuously. Mr. Kwon, in his 30s, said, "I came to run errands nearby and decided to buy weekend groceries. I enjoy shopping at traditional markets where I can buy tofu from a famous soft tofu shop and snacks, but I can't handle it in midsummer. The traffic congestion here is severe, so I don't bring a car, and when it's hot, I just quickly buy what I need and leave."

On the afternoon of the 15th, just before Chobok, citizens were shopping at Mangwon Market in Mapo-gu, Seoul.