Itaewon's Lit Lounge shines beacon through dark times over 4 years

Lit Lounge opened in Itaewon in late October 2022, with its grand opening on Oct. 29, the day 159 people died in a crowd crush less than 400 meters away. Owner Jason Waller said the tragedy’s aftermath was especially devastating for Itaewon businesses, but he chose to keep the lounge open because he still believed in its future. Lit Lounge and neighboring Billion Bar now offer different nightlife experiences centered on hospitality, inclusivity and community. The lounge will mark its fourth anniversary and Halloween on Oct. 31 with a Comicalloween event.

Waller founded Planet Hustle Korea, an entertainment and consulting company, in 2015 to serve as the parent company for his physical businesses in Seoul.

His earlier venues included Club Hustle, which opened in August 2016 and closed in January 2017, and Hustle Rooftop Lounge, which opened in May 2018 and closed in July 2022.

Lit Lounge first opened in Apgujeong in 2022, but Waller said discriminatory attitudes toward its foreign ownership and customers contributed to its relocation to Itaewon that October.

Waller acquired the neighboring space in May 2025 and opened Billion Bar, which offers cocktails, conversation, karaoke and trivia, while Lit Lounge features dancing and hip-hop, R&B and Afrobeats.

Comicalloween guests are encouraged to dress as characters from movies and television, and the 20,000-won entry fee covers both venues.

Published Oct 26, 2026 5:40 am KST

Jason Waller, center left, also known as Pinnacle TheHustler, dresses up as Thor for last year's Comicalloween party at Lit Lounge in central Seoul's Itaewon area, Oct. 31. Courtesy of Lit Lounge

Lit Lounge opened the doors of its Itaewon location just about four years ago in late October 2022. Following a soft opening on Oct. 27 and 28, its grand opening was held on Saturday, Oct. 29, a day that would go down in infamy, after 159 people died in a crowd disaster in a narrow alley a little less than 400 meters away.

"Lit Lounge's early existence was shaped by one of the most devastating tragedies in recent Korean history: The Itaewon Halloween crowd crush," said Jason Waller, owner of Lit Lounge. "For many of us operating businesses in Itaewon, the aftermath of this tragedy was even more devastating than the COVID-19 pandemic."

It would have been understandable, maybe even advisable, if he just quit. But Waller, also known as Pinnacle TheHustler, decided to keep going.

"I think the biggest reason I refused to close Lit Lounge was because I didn't want to look in the mirror and see someone who had given up. But for me, as long as I still believed in what I was building and I could still see a path forward, I wasn't ready to quit," he said.

"And now, Lit Lounge, which started in 2022 is still alive, still growing and still getting better. Perseverance is a part of the foundation that makes me who I am."

That may sound a bit boastful, but also in character for a former rapper who also calls himself Pinnacle TheHustler.

Jason Waller, also known as Pinnacle TheHustler, owner of Lit Lounge and Billionbar in central Seoul's Itaewon area / Courtesy of Yumi Kim

"When I was a kid in about 7th or 8th grade, we came across the word 'pinnacle' in our vocabulary books. For some reason, I was just infatuated with this word, so I started putting it in a lot of my rhymes," the former rapper explained.

"At that young age, I believed that whatever you wanted to do or be, you should strive to be the 'pinnacle' of that. If you wanna repair cars, then you should be the pinnacle of car repairs. If you're gonna be a baker, you better be the best baker around."

When he was in high school, some other students were teasing him for using the word in so many of his rhymes, calling him "The Pinnacle," and he said it just stuck.

"All my classmates started calling me 'Pinnacle," so I just rolled with it," he said.

The second part came later, when he was getting ready to move to Korea after graduating college.

"People knew me on campus as a hustler because of my strong work ethic," he said. "So when I announced my plans to go overseas, my friends were saying things like, 'oh, so you're going to be hustling on the other side of the world now? Pinnacle TheHustler!' So then the moniker 'Pinnacle TheHustler' was established and here I am, hustling on the other side of the world."

Over here, he founded Planet Hustle Korea, an entertainment and consulting company, in 2015, that served as the parent company for all his physical business establishments in Seoul.

This began with Club Hustle in August 2016. After it closed in January 2017, he brought the concept to Hustle Rooftop Lounge in May 2018. That one kept going, surviving through the pandemic until closing in July 2022.

Also in 2022, he opened Lit Lounge in its first location, south of the river in affluent Apgujeong, where he said he faced significant challenges stemming from discriminatory attitudes due to the club's foreign ownership and customers.

That led him to relocate Lit Lounge in October that same year.

"Itaewon has always been known for its vibrant nightlife, but I wanted to create something a little different from the traditional nightlife experience," he said.

He settled in Alley Market, a small maze of canopied alleyways just south of Itaewon-ro's western end.

"When I first saw that alley, tucked away just off Itaewon's main street, I knew this was where I wanted to build," he said. "I wanted an area slightly removed from the chaos of the main strip, where I could focus on providing a more intentional experience for our guests."

Lit Lounge's focus is on clean facilities, quality drinks, good music, attentive service and an environment where people can genuinely enjoy themselves.

"I wanted to create a place where people could enjoy the best parts of nightlife without sacrificing comfort, quality or hospitality," he said. "Sometimes, we need the chaos of a fully packed, hot, sticky, sweaty club. And sometimes, we need the refinement of a clean lounge where your shoes still look nice at the end of your visit."

Jason Waller, also known as Pinnacle TheHustler, owner of Lit Lounge and Billionbar in central Seoul's Itaewon area / Courtesy of Minwoo Kim

In May 2025, with business going well, he acquired the neighboring space, where he opened Billion Bar. Both bars continue to operate next door to each other, offering two distinct nightlife experiences built around the same philosophy of hospitality, inclusivity and community.

"What I love about having both establishments side by side is that we're able to offer two completely different nightlife experiences without compromising the principles that make them special," he said. "Even though Billion Bar and Lit Lounge have two completely different personalities, atmospheres, music and general concepts, the business ethic comes from the same roots: Be a safe place for everyone, do not discriminate, take care of your guests as if they're visitors in your home, provide a stand out product and build the community."

Lit Lounge is where people come to dance, laugh, enjoy hip-hop, R&B and Afrobeats music and meet new people. Billion Bar offers a more intimate environment where people can enjoy well-made cocktails, have conversations and participate in activities like karaoke and trivia.

Lights from Lit Lounge illuminate Alley Market in central Seoul's Itaewon area, Oct. 25. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

"Itaewon brings together people from all over the world, and I think that's what makes this neighborhood special," he said. "People come here for different reasons, but everyone wants to feel like they belong somewhere. If someone walks into one of my establishments alone and leaves having made a new friend, shared a laugh or experienced something memorable, then I feel like we've accomplished something meaningful. At the end of the day, I want our businesses to contribute something positive to the community that supports us."

Although Alley Market has certainly seen better days, today it is home to a diverse collection of businesses. This includes restaurants like Linus BBQ and Nekkid Wings, nightlife establishments like Lit Lounge, Billion Bar and the newly reopened Phillies, and vintage shops like Paisley Cat and Hyso.

"I believe we're witnessing the beginning of a new chapter," Waller said. "What was once a place where people gathered to buy and sell goods is becoming a place where people gather to eat, drink, socialize and experience different cultures. We are the new Alley Market, and together, we're bringing renewed energy and identity to this little corner of Itaewon."

This Oct. 31, Lit Lounge is celebrating its fourth anniversary and Halloween on the same day. The celebration is branded "Comicalloween," and guests are encouraged to dress up as characters from movies and TV shows, from superheroes, villains and horror icons to animated favorites and cult classics. Entry costs 20,000 won and gets you into both venues. Visit planethustle.com for more information.

Lit Lounge于2022年10月底在梨泰院开业，并于10月29日盛大开业。就在同一天，距离Lit Lounge不到400米的地方发生了一起人群踩踏事故，造成159人死亡。店主Jason Waller表示，这场悲剧的后续影响对梨泰院的商家来说尤其具有毁灭性，但他仍然选择继续营业，因为他相信Lit Lounge的未来。如今，Lit Lounge和隔壁的Billion Bar提供着以热情待客、包容和社区精神为核心的不同夜生活体验。10月31日，Lit Lounge将举办Comicalloween活动，庆祝其开业四周年暨万圣节。

沃勒于 2015 年创立了 Planet Hustle Korea，一家娱乐和咨询公司，作为他在首尔实体业务的母公司。

他之前经营的场所包括 2016 年 8 月开业、2017 年 1 月关闭的 Club Hustle，以及 2018 年 5 月开业、2022 年 7 月关闭的 Hustle Rooftop Lounge。

Lit Lounge 于 2022 年在狎鸥亭首次开业，但 Waller 表示，对其外国所有权和顾客的歧视态度导致其于同年 10 月搬迁至梨泰院。

沃勒于 2025 年 5 月收购了隔壁的店面，开设了 Billion Bar，提供鸡尾酒、聊天、卡拉 OK 和问答游戏；而 Lit Lounge 则以舞蹈和嘻哈、R&B 和非洲节奏音乐为特色。

Comicalloween 鼓励来宾装扮成电影和电视中的角色，20,000 韩元的入场费涵盖了两个场地。

发布于2026年10月26日 上午5:40（韩国标准时间）

去年10月31日，在首尔市中心梨泰院的Lit Lounge举办的Comicalloween派对上，Jason Waller（左二，又名Pinnacle TheHustler）装扮成雷神托尔。图片由Lit Lounge提供。

Lit Lounge 位于梨泰院的门店于 2022 年 10 月下旬开业，至今已有四年历史。在 10 月 27 日和 28 日试营业后，其盛大开业典礼于 10 月 29 日星期六举行。然而，就在 10 月 29 日这一天，距离 Lit Lounge 不到 400 米的一条狭窄巷子里发生了一起人群聚集灾难，造成 159 人死亡，这一天也因此臭名昭著。

“Lit Lounge的创立初期深受韩国近代史上最惨痛的悲剧之一——梨泰院万圣节人群踩踏事件的影响，”Lit Lounge的老板Jason Waller说道。“对于我们这些在梨泰院经营生意的人来说，这场悲剧的后果甚至比新冠疫情还要严重。”

如果他就此放弃，这或许可以理解，甚至更明智。但沃勒，也就是网名“巅峰骗子”（Pinnacle TheHustler）的那位，决定继续下去。

“我觉得我拒绝关闭Lit Lounge的最大原因是，我不想照镜子时看到一个放弃的人。但对我来说，只要我仍然相信我正在做的事情，只要我仍然能看到前进的方向，我就不想放弃，”他说。

“如今，成立于2022年的Lit Lounge依然存在，仍在发展壮大，并且越来越好。坚持不懈是我人生基石的一部分。”

这听起来可能有点自夸，但对于一位自称“巅峰骗子”（Pinnacle TheHustler）的前说唱歌手来说，这也符合他的风格。

杰森·沃勒（Jason Waller），又名 Pinnacle TheHustler，是首尔梨泰院地区 Lit Lounge 和 Billionbar 酒吧的老板 / 图片由 Yumi Kim 提供

“我大概上七八年级的时候，在词汇书里遇到了‘巅峰’这个词。不知为何，我当时就对这个词着迷，于是开始把它用在我的很多韵文里，”这位前说唱歌手解释道。

“那时候我就觉得，无论你想做什么、想成为什么样的人，都应该努力做到最好。如果你想修车，那就应该成为修车界的佼佼者。如果你想当面包师，那就最好成为最好的面包师。”

他还上高中时，有些同学因为他经常在押韵的歌曲中使用这个词而嘲笑他，叫他“巅峰”，他说这个绰号就这么定了下来。

“我的同学们都开始叫我‘巅峰’，所以我就顺其自然了，”他说。

第二部分是在他大学毕业后准备移居韩国的时候发生的。

“因为我工作非常努力，所以校园里的人都知道我是个拼命三郎，”他说。“所以当我宣布要出国发展的时候，我的朋友们就说，‘哦，所以你现在要在地球另一边拼命赚钱了？巅峰拼命先生！’于是‘巅峰拼命先生’这个绰号就此诞生，而现在，我真的在地球另一边拼命赚钱了。”

2015 年，他在这里创立了 Planet Hustle Korea，一家娱乐和咨询公司，该公司是他所有在首尔的实体商业机构的母公司。

这一切始于 2016 年 8 月的 Club Hustle。在它于 2017 年 1 月关闭后，他于 2018 年 5 月将这一概念带到了 Hustle Rooftop Lounge。这家酒吧一直经营到 2022 年 7 月关闭，并挺过了疫情。

同样在 2022 年，他在富裕的狎鸥亭江南岸开设了第一家 Lit Lounge 夜总会。他表示，由于夜总会的外国所有权和顾客，他面临着来自歧视态度的巨大挑战。

这导致他在同年十月将 Lit Lounge 搬迁。

“梨泰院一直以其充满活力的夜生活而闻名，但我想要创造一些与传统夜生活体验略有不同的东西，”他说。

他定居在小巷市场，这是一个位于梨泰院路西端南侧的迷宫般的小巷，巷道之间有遮篷。

“当我第一次看到那条隐蔽的小巷，它就位于梨泰院主街附近时，我就知道这就是我想建造的地方，”他说。“我想要一个稍微远离主街喧嚣的地方，在那里我可以专注于为我们的客人提供更加用心的体验。”

Lit Lounge 的重点在于提供干净的设施、优质的饮品、动听的音乐、周到的服务以及一个让人们真正享受其中的环境。

“我想打造一个让人们既能享受夜生活最精彩的部分，又无需牺牲舒适度、品质或服务的地方，”他说。“有时候，我们需要人满为患、闷热潮湿的夜店那种喧闹嘈杂的氛围。而有时候，我们也需要干净整洁的休息室那种精致优雅的环境，让你离开时鞋子依然光洁如新。”

Jason Waller，又名 Pinnacle TheHustler，是首尔梨泰院 Lit Lounge 和 Billionbar 酒吧的老板 / 图片由 Minwoo Kim 提供

2025年5月，生意蒸蒸日上，他收购了隔壁的店面，并开设了Billion Bar。两家酒吧至今仍在隔壁营业，提供两种截然不同的夜生活体验，但都秉持着热情好客、包容友善和社区精神的理念。

“我喜欢两家店相邻而设的一点是，我们能够在不违背各自独特原则的前提下，提供两种截然不同的夜生活体验，”他说道。“尽管Billion Bar和Lit Lounge在风格、氛围、音乐和整体理念上都截然不同，但它们的经营理念却源于同一根基：为所有人打造一个安全舒适的场所，不歧视任何人，像对待家里的客人一样照顾每一位顾客，提供卓越的产品和服务，并致力于建设社区。”

Lit Lounge是人们跳舞、欢笑、欣赏嘻哈、R&B和非洲节奏音乐以及结识新朋友的好去处。Billion Bar则提供更为私密的氛围，人们可以在这里品尝精心调制的鸡尾酒，畅谈交流，并参与卡拉OK和知识问答等活动。

10月25日，首尔市中心梨泰院的巷弄市场被Lit Lounge的灯光照亮。（韩国时报 Jon Dunbar 摄）

“梨泰院汇聚了来自世界各地的人们，我认为这正是这个街区的独特之处，”他说道。“人们来到这里的原因各不相同，但每个人都渴望找到归属感。如果有人独自走进我的店里，离开时结识了新朋友，分享了欢笑，或者经历了一些难忘的事情，那么我觉得我们就做了一件有意义的事情。归根结底，我希望我们的生意能够为支持我们的社区做出积极的贡献。”

尽管艾利市场已不复往日辉煌，但如今这里依然汇聚了各式各样的商铺。其中包括 Linus BBQ 和 Nekkid Wings 等餐厅，Lit Lounge、Billion Bar 和新近重新开业的 Phillies 等夜生活场所，以及 Paisley Cat 和 Hyso 等复古商店。

“我相信我们正在见证一个新篇章的开始，”沃勒说道。“这里曾经是人们买卖商品的场所，如今正在变成人们聚餐、饮酒、社交和体验不同文化的场所。我们是新的巷市，我们将共同为梨泰院的这个小角落注入新的活力和特色。”

今年10月31日，Lit Lounge将迎来四周年庆典暨万圣节。此次庆祝活动名为“Comicalloween”，鼓励宾客装扮成电影和电视剧中的角色，从超级英雄、反派、恐怖偶像到热门动画和经典影片，应有尽有。入场费为20,000韩元，可同时进入两个场地。更多信息请访问planethustle.com。