Itaewon

Itaewon (; IPA ) is multi-cultural commercial area located in Seoul, South Korea. it is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Seoul, known for its nightlife and trendy restaurants.

Etymology

The name Itaewon was originally derived from the name of an inn located there during the Joseon Dynasty. Today it's called Itaewon alluding to its abundance of pear trees (梨泰院). According to a folktale, the name was also written using different Hanja characters that alluded to foreign babies (異胎院). When the Japanese invaded Seoul (1592–1593) during the Imjin War a group of Japanese soldiers seized a Buddhist temple in what is now Itaewon where Buddhist nuns lived. The soldiers stayed at the temple for a while and raped the Buddhist nuns. When the soldiers left they burned down the Buddhist temple. The raped Buddhist nuns now homeless settled nearby and eventually gave birth to children. People from neighboring villages named the area where the children were raised ''Itaewon'' in a portmanteau, Germany, France, India, Italy, Southeast Asia, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Mexico, United States of America and Canada. Essentially, it is known as the "International District" or sometimes as "Western Town," reminiscent of many Chinatowns in Western nations.

Itaewon, along with neighborhoods and attractions like Hongdae, Insadong and Seoul Tower, is one of the most popular places in Seoul for tourists. Major hotels such as the Grand Hyatt Seoul and local landmark Hamilton Hotel are here, as well as several smaller hotels and guesthouses. Dozens of shops are aimed at tourists and offer Western or traditional Korean souvenirs. High-quality leather products, retail or custom made and are sold at reasonable prices (though haggling is expected) as well.

Itaewon includes the area known as Homo Hill and is Seoul's gay village. Despite the taboo nature of homosexuality in South Korea, people can express themselves openly within the neighborhood.

Itaewon was long known as a hub for high quality counterfeit goods, but those products have largely disappeared. Some authentic goods that are only produced in Korea for the international market, as well as some authentic imports are also available. Itaewon is known for its clothes makers who produce custom-made shirts and suits.

File:Street Itaewon.jpg, A street in Itaewon
File:Bogwang-ro Itaewon.jpg, Bogwang street and Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon

Gyeongnidan Street

In Itaewon there is the multinational Gyeongnidan Street. It is in the middle of Itaewon's elementary school district. There are many international restaurants along the street.

Festivals

*Global village festival
*Halloween festival

Incidents

COVID-19 outbreak

During the COVID-19 pandemic Itaewon was a source of a major disease cluster traced back from over 130 confirmed cases.

2022 crowd crush

On 29 October 2022, a crowd crush occurred during the 2022 Halloween festivities. Over 150 persons were confirmed dead and over 100 were injured. Of the confirmed dead, 26 were foreign nationals. The influx of visitors from all over the country as well as foreign nationals was potentially caused by the pandemic restrictions being lifted after two years. It is said that the hotels and events were booked well before the event showing that large crowds were expected.

In popular culture

Korean singer-songwriter JYP ( Park Jin-young) and Yoo Se-yoon's hip hop duo UV released the song "Itaewon Freedom" in April 2011. The title alludes to (and the lyrics celebrate) a common Korean perception of Itaewon's "open atmosphere", in contrast with conventional Korean culture, which is more conservative. The popularity of the song and its music video inspired a parody cover song and video from the girl group Crayon Pop in 2013. Both videos were partially filmed on location in Itaewon.

The 2020 South Korean Netflix television series '' Itaewon Class'' is set in Itaewon. The drama was praised for its diverse and inclusive cast and its realistic portrayal of subjects such as prejudice and discrimination against foreigners, ex-convicts and the LGBT people, as well as the portrayal of misbehaviors by chaebol corporations. ''Time Magazine'' included ''Itaewon Class'' on its list of "The 10 Best Korean Dramas to Watch on Netflix" and ''Forbes'' included the series on its list of "The 13 Best Korean Dramas Of 2020".

Revitalization

Itaewon was initially developed as a district of bars, nightclubs and shops catering to American soldiers based nearby in the decades after the Korean War. Now, it is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Seoul, known for its nightlife, young patrons, foreign tourists and restaurants.

Transportation

It is served by Seoul Subway Line 6 via Itaewon, Noksapyeong and Hangangjin stations.
* Itaewon Station – Seoul Subway Line 6

See also

*Haebangchon
*Yongsan-gu
* Yongsan Garrison

Notes

External links

Official Seoul City Tourism :Itaewon

{{neighbourhoods of Seoul

Neighbourhoods of Yongsan District
Ethnic enclaves in South Korea
Red-light districts in South Korea
Shopping districts and streets in South Korea
Multiculturalism in South Korea
Tourist attractions in Seoul
Entertainment districts in South Korea
Diplomatic districts