[One Year Since the Itaewon Tragedy]③ "Halloween Has Already Become a Korean Festival," Just Maintain Your Own Safety and Enjoy

Crowds Expected in Gangnam and Hongdae Instead of Itaewon This Year
Becoming a 'Daily Escape' Festival for the Youth Generation
Government Must Ensure Safety to Prevent Recurrence of Accidents

On the afternoon of the 20th, about 10 days before this year's Halloween Day on the 31st, near Gangnam Station in Seoul. Around this time last year, various pubs and clubs displayed banners or notices advertising 'Halloween events' as they operated, but this year, with the first anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy approaching, there was no large-scale event promotion. However, the excitement in the busy district was as intense as in previous years. Idol singers' music played loudly on the streets, and the crowds were dense. Those soliciting customers approached young people saying, "We will provide service." Many were already planning to enjoy Halloween. Kim (37, male), who said he came out to meet friends, said, "Halloween is a time when you can enjoy a different side of yourself," adding, "I probably won't go to Itaewon, and my friends and I are thinking about where to hang out."

Around 8 p.m. on the 20th, the busy area near Gangnam Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, is crowded.
Photo by Taewon Choi skking@

As Halloween approaches, a festive atmosphere can be seen in various busy areas of Seoul. While clubs in Itaewon have decided not to operate on Halloween Day to commemorate the first anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy, many crowds are expected to gather in other busy districts such as Hongdae and Gangnam.

Some people click their tongues, saying, "Is it Halloween again even after the Itaewon tragedy?" but the prevailing analysis is that Halloween has already become a festival for young people in Korea and cannot be stopped. Halloween is the only day when young people in Korea enjoy 'costume play' (dressing up as specific characters or figures and imitating them). Through costumes, they can become someone different and hide their true selves. This aligns with young people's desire to escape daily life and feel a sense of liberation. Kim Chang-hyun, author of 'Costume Play on Halloween Day' published in the 2007 Journal of Modern Photography and Imaging Society, explained Halloween culture as "escaping from one's usual self is more than mere play; it means forgetting and escaping from the unpleasant aspects of oneself in reality," adding, "Through this experience, confidence is gained and mental maturity is fostered."

Experts analyze that Halloween Day socially allows some degree of 'deviation' among young people. Just as past authoritarian governments lifted nighttime curfews on Christmas Eve for one day, nowadays Halloween Day is interpreted as a day when social regulations are 'lifted for a day' to allow young people to release their usual stress. Seol Dong-hoon, a sociology professor at Jeonbuk National University, said, "Just as Koreans no longer strictly view Christmas as a Western religious holiday, Halloween is no longer seen as a Western custom," adding, "There is no need to block Halloween culture, nor can it be blocked." Lim Myung-ho, a psychology professor at Dankook University, also said, "Halloween is already an established festival that socially accepts deviations like costumes," and "In this respect, it cannot be forcibly stopped."

Since Halloween has already taken root, the dominant opinion among experts is that it should now be turned into a festival where young people can healthily release their pent-up stress. Professor Seol said, "Halloween Day serves a meaningful social function by helping the younger generation relieve stress, so the government should manage it while preparing to prevent accidents from recurring." Cultural critic Ha Jae-geun said, "Halloween has a positive meaning as an opportunity for youthful energy and suppressed emotions to be expressed," adding, "It is important for participants themselves to prepare to enjoy the festival safely and joyfully."