The Most Visited Place on Christmas Eve Is Not Myeongdong but This Location, Why?

Myeongdong Ranks 2nd, Yeouido and Jamsil Follow
Myeongdong Has the Highest Perceived Congestion Level

On Christmas Eve last year, the area around Gwanghwamun, not Myeongdong, attracted the largest crowd in Seoul. A similar trend is expected this year.

Seoul Light Gwanghwamun

According to Seoul's resident population data on the 22nd, as of 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 24 last year, the resident population in Jongno 1-4 ga-dong was 86,682, the highest in Seoul. This area includes Gwanghwamun and Jonggak. Myeongdong in Jung-gu, known as a Christmas hotspot, had 83,487 people.

The resident population refers to all people present in a specific area at a specific time (hourly basis). Seoul City and KT estimate this using public big data and communication data. At this time, Yeouido-dong in Yeongdeungpo, home to shopping attractions like The Hyundai Seoul and IFC Mall, gathered 76,002 people. Jamsil 3-dong in Songpa-gu, where Lotte World and Seokchon Lake are located, had 72,784 people, followed by Jamsil 6-dong near Jamsil Station with 70,418 people.

However, it is analyzed that the perceived congestion was highest in Myeongdong. This is because the area of Jongno 1-4 ga-dong is 2.35 km², while Myeongdong's area is only 0.99 km², less than half of that.

This year as well, during the Christmas season at Gwanghwamun Square, 'Seoul Light Gwanghwamun,' which illuminates the outer wall of Gwanghwamun with beautiful lights, and the Christmas market called 'Gwanghwamun Market,' themed as Santa Village, will be held, so a large crowd is expected on the evening of the 24th. The Gwanghwamun Market will feature a 14-meter tall large Christmas tree, photo zones for 'Mufasa: The Lion King,' 'Eastar Jet,' and 'Jo Malone London,' a food street, and various booths selling Christmas handmade crafts. A collaboration event for Squid Game Season 2 will also take place. Additionally, 141 small business owners will participate in the market.

Seoul City has set up a comprehensive control room at the event site to prepare for accidents and is monitoring crowd congestion through closed-circuit television (CCTV).