On Oct. 28, people are seen shopping in Itaewon ahead of Halloween (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 18 (Korea Bizwire) – With the first anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy just 10 days away (on October 29), there has been a lot of talk on social media about how to celebrate Halloween.
Halloween is a significant occasion for businesses like stores, theme parks, and hotels. However, not all have chosen to make the most of the holiday this year. Most companies have decided not to feature Halloween in their advertisements to respect the somber mood that has persisted for a year and avoid any unnecessary controversies.
Earlier this month, KT stirred up some controversy when it hosted a Halloween promotional event on its customer service channel for budget phone users.
If you look at recent social media posts leading up to Halloween, there are very few suggestions to spend Halloween in Itaewon, the location of the tragedy. Instead, people are talking about party spots around Hongik University in Sinchon, which is another popular area for young people.
Last year, on October 30, the day after the Itaewon tragedy, the Hongik University area was filled with young people celebrating Halloween. This year, there are concerns that the “balloon effect” from last year’s tragedy will continue to draw crowds to Hongik University area. The weekend before Halloween, on October 28 and 29, could be a crucial time.
On Oct. 16, foreigners are seen posting condolences at an alley where the Itaewon tragedy took place. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
The Mapo-gu Office, responsible for Hongdae, has been conducting inspections of crowded areas near Hongik University since October 10 to ensure safety. Yongsan-gu, where Itaewon is located, is also working with both the public and private sectors as well as the police to prevent any incidents from happening again.
Meanwhile, the department store industry, convenience store industry, and e-commerce industry have all agreed to have a more subdued Halloween.
Even places like Lotte World and Everland, which typically hold Halloween events every year, have decided not to host any Halloween-related festivals or promotions this year.
Hotels, which have introduced Halloween-themed desserts and packages, are also trying to distance themselves from the holiday.
It will be interesting to see if Halloween in South Korea will be a more low-key affair after the tragic events in Itaewon.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
