4 years on, Itaewon businesses face Halloween with mixed expectations

Itaewon business owners expressed mixed expectations for Halloween, four years after the 2022 crowd crush, as some anticipated more visitors and others remained doubtful. Linus Kim and Skinny Dope saw signs of a nightlife recovery, while Skinny Dope and Valerii Kim also described lingering losses or concerns. Owners differed on whether authorities’ safety measures were sufficient or excessive, but all stressed remembering the victims.

Linus Kim has operated Linus BBQ for more than a decade, and Skinny Dope has run hip-hop club BADASS for five years.

Skinny Dope said he had made a substantial investment in Halloween in 2022 but had not prepared anything as elaborate since.

Skinny Dope said the loss of distinctive restaurants and local businesses had weakened Itaewon’s multicultural character.

Valerii Kim said he had operated hookah bar and Russian restaurant MOLA for six months and considered the authorities’ measures excessive.

Linus Kim said he had noticed police, crowd-control barriers and traffic-control officers in Itaewon more than a week before Halloween.

Published Oct 27, 2026 4:20 am KST

A man in an Iron Man costume orders food at a restaurant near a temporary crowd safety barrier in central Seoul's multicultural Itaewon neighborhood, Oct. 31, 2025. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

The streets of Itaewon have gone through several iterations over the years — not just the place itself but the meaning attached to it. If you ask someone from the early 2000s or even the 2010s, they would paint a completely different landscape from the Itaewon that exists today.

Itaewon is going through a period of social reconstruction, fueled by several factors — the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Halloween crowd crush, U.S. military redeployment out of nearby Yongsan Garrison, commercial redevelopment and, the hot issue at the moment, the tightened restrictions placed on Itaewon businesses.

Despite the heavy political atmosphere that lays over Itaewon like dark clouds before a storm, there are some local business owners who feel optimistic about its future.

Lanterns light the way on Itaewon's Quy Nhon Street, Oct. 25. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Linus Kim, who has operated Linus BBQ for more than a decade, expects the Halloween nightlife to be stronger than in the years immediately after the crowd crush tragedy. “Itaewon’s nightlife has seen a significant resurgence over the past year, driven partly by a new generation that came of age during COVID and the years following the tragedy,” he said.

He described the pandemic and the crowd crush as marking “perhaps the darkest period in Itaewon’s modern history,” during which many longtime businesses closed or relocated. Now, he sees new restaurants, clubs and younger visitors bringing fresh energy.

Linus BBQ in Itaewon / Courtesy of Linus BBQ

For Skinny Dope, who has operated hip-hop club BADASS for five years, signs of recovery are also visible in the gradual return of Halloween costumes, decorations and celebrations.

Hip-hop club BADASS in Itaewon / Courtesy of BADASS

“With each passing year, more and more people are starting to dress up in costumes again and enjoy Halloween,” he said. “So, I expect this year to be more crowded than last year and to have a more authentic Halloween atmosphere.”

His own preparations, however, remain more restrained. He made a substantial financial investment and effort in Halloween in 2022, but has not prepared anything as elaborate since. He also sees lasting losses beneath the returning crowds. The disappearance of distinctive restaurants and local businesses during the pandemic and after the tragedy, he said, has weakened the neighborhood’s multicultural character.

“Of course, Itaewon has recovered quite a bit since then, but the lasting impact of the tragedy is still there, and the atmosphere it had before the accident hasn’t fully returned yet,” he said.

Eugene Seok, director of Latin pub Agave, shared positive sentiments ahead of the upcoming Halloween weekend: “We think that is gonna be like the usual how it used to be, a lot of people in costumes celebrating.”

A Halloween shop is set up in central Seoul's multicultural Itaewon neighborhood, Oct. 23. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Mola in Itaewon / Courtesy of Mola

The optimism is not shared equally, and a feeling of uncertainty remains among Itaewon business owners. Valerii Kim, who said he had been operating hookah bar and Russian restaurant MOLA for six months, is ready for the holiday but balances his preparation with skepticism.

When asked about his expectations for the upcoming Halloween celebration in Itaewon, his answer, “I think there will be no people,” shows that preparation does not always translate to confidence.

Perspectives differ on the approach of district authorities in ensuring public safety and maintaining government regulations.

Skinny Dope said he believes the government and local authorities are doing enough. He urged visitors to follow instructions from safety personnel and street announcements as crowds grow.

Linus Kim said he has already noticed a substantial security presence more than a week before Halloween, including police, crowd control barriers and traffic control officers. For businesses, he said, responsibility includes following fire codes and crowd management guidelines, while holding local authorities accountable for public safety. “Safety and celebration should go hand in hand,” he said.

Police patrol an alley in Itaewon, Oct. 31, 2025. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Valerii Kim, by contrast, felt the authorities’ measures were excessive and risk interfering with business.

All of the business owners stressed the importance of remembering and honoring the victims of the disaster four years ago.

Skinny Dope says this should remain a part of every Halloween celebration.

A restaurant is covered with Halloween decorations in Itaewon, Oct. 23. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Linus Kim likewise sees remembrance and Itaewon’s cultural life as compatible.

“We should always honor and remember the victims while preserving the joy, excitement and cultural diversity that make Itaewon special,” he said. “Part of honoring their memory is keeping alive the unique spirit that brought so many people together.”

People leave messages, flowers and other items at the October 29 Memorial Alley in Itaewon, Oct. 31, 2025. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

Despite his view that recovery remains unfinished, he believes Itaewon’s identity will endure through its food, music, art and international community.

His invitation to this year’s visitors was simple: “Show up with a costume, a smile and a big heart!”

Jason Waller aka Pinnacle TheHustler operates Lit Lounge and Billion Bar in central Seoul's Itaewon and writes about the neighborhood’s people, culture and nightlife.

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

在2022年万圣节人潮拥挤事件发生四年后，梨泰院的商家们对即将到来的万圣节抱有不同预期。一些人预计会有更多游客，而另一些人则持怀疑态度。Linus Kim和Skinny Dope看到了夜生活复苏的迹象，而Skinny Dope和Valerii Kim也提到了挥之不去的损失和担忧。商家们对当局采取的安全措施是否充分或过度持有不同意见，但他们都强调要铭记遇难者。

Linus Kim 经营 Linus BBQ 已有十多年，而 Skinny Dope 经营嘻哈俱乐部 BADASS 已有五年。

Skinny Dope表示，他在2022年的万圣节上投入了大量资金，但此后就没有再准备过如此精心策划的活动。

Skinny Dope 表示，特色餐厅和本地企业的流失削弱了梨泰院的多元文化特色。

瓦列里·金表示，他经营水烟吧和俄罗斯餐厅 MOLA 已有六个月，他认为当局的措施过激了。

Linus Kim表示，他在万圣节前一周多就注意到梨泰院出现了警察、人群控制路障和交通管制人员。

发布于2026年10月27日凌晨4:20（韩国标准时间）

2025年10月31日，在首尔市中心多元文化的梨泰院街区，一名身穿钢铁侠服装的男子在临时人群安全屏障附近的一家餐厅点餐。（韩国时报 Jon Dunbar 摄）

梨泰院的街道多年来经历了多次变迁——不仅是街道本身，还有它所承载的意义。如果你问问2000年初甚至2010年代的人，他们描绘的梨泰院景象与如今的截然不同。

梨泰院正经历着一段社会重建时期，这受到多种因素的影响——新冠肺炎疫情、2022 年万圣节人群拥挤、美军从附近的龙山驻军撤离、商业重建，以及目前最热门的话题——对梨泰院企业实施的更严格的限制。

尽管笼罩在梨泰院上空的沉重政治氛围如同暴风雨前的乌云，但仍有一些当地企业主对梨泰院的未来感到乐观。

10月25日，灯笼照亮了梨泰院归仁街的道路。（韩国时报 Jon Dunbar 摄）

在梨泰院经营Linus BBQ十余年的Linus Kim预计，今年的万圣节夜生活将比踩踏事件发生后的几年更加繁荣。“过去一年，梨泰院的夜生活显著复苏，部分原因是受疫情期间以及踩踏事件后几年成长起来的新一代的推动，”他说道。

他将疫情和人群拥挤描述为“梨泰院近代史上或许最黑暗的时期”，期间许多老店关门或搬迁。如今，他看到新的餐厅、俱乐部和年轻游客为这里带来了新的活力。

梨泰院 Linus BBQ / 图片由 Linus BBQ 提供

对于经营嘻哈俱乐部 BADASS 五年的 Skinny Dope 来说，万圣节服装、装饰和庆祝活动的逐渐回归也表明了复苏的迹象。

梨泰院嘻哈俱乐部 BADASS / 图片由 BADASS 提供

他说：“随着时间的推移，越来越多的人又开始穿上奇装异服，享受万圣节的乐趣。因此，我预计今年的万圣节会比去年更加热闹，气氛也会更加浓厚。”

然而，他自己的准备工作则更为克制。2022年万圣节，他投入了大量资金和精力，但此后便再未举办过如此盛大的庆祝活动。他也看到了人潮回归背后隐藏的长期损失。他表示，疫情期间以及悲剧发生后，特色餐厅和本地商铺的消失削弱了社区的多元文化特色。

“当然，梨泰院从那以后已经恢复了很多，但这场悲剧的持久影响仍然存在，事故发生前的氛围还没有完全恢复，”他说。

拉丁酒吧 Agave 的负责人 Eugene Seok 在即将到来的万圣节周末前表达了乐观的看法：“我们认为这将和往常一样，很多人会穿着奇装异服来庆祝。”

10月23日，首尔市中心多元文化交融的梨泰院街区，一家万圣节商店正在营业。（韩国时报 Jon Dunbar 摄）

梨泰院的 Mola / 由 Mola 提供

乐观情绪并非人人都有，梨泰院的商家们仍然感到忐忑不安。经营水烟吧兼俄罗斯餐厅MOLA已有六个月的Valerii Kim表示，他已做好迎接节日的准备，但同时也心存疑虑。

当被问及对即将到来的梨泰院万圣节庆祝活动有何期待时，他的回答是“我想不会有人”，这表明准备并不总能转化为自信。

对于地方当局在保障公共安全和维护政府规章制度方面的做法，各方观点不一。

Skinny Dope表示，他相信政府和地方当局已经做得足够多了。他敦促游客在人流增加时听从安保人员的指示和街头广播。

林纳斯·金表示，万圣节前一周多，他已经注意到现场有大量安保人员，包括警察、人群控制屏障和交通管制人员。他指出，商家有责任遵守消防法规和人群管理准则，同时也要督促地方当局维护公共安全。“安全与庆祝活动应该齐头并进，”他说道。

2025年10月31日，警察在梨泰院一条小巷巡逻。韩国时报摄影师Jon Dunbar摄

相比之下，Valerii Kim 认为当局的措施过激，可能会干扰商业活动。

所有企业主都强调了铭记和缅怀四年前灾难遇难者的重要性。

Skinny Dope 认为这应该成为每年万圣节庆祝活动的一部分。

10月23日，梨泰院一家餐厅被万圣节装饰装点一新。（韩国时报 Jon Dunbar 摄）

Linus Kim 也认为纪念活动与梨泰院的文化生活是相容的。

他说：“我们应该永远缅怀遇难者，同时也要保留梨泰院的独特魅力，包括欢乐、激情和文化多样性。缅怀他们的一部分意义就在于传承那种将众多人们凝聚在一起的独特精神。”

2025年10月31日，人们在梨泰院的10月29日纪念街上留下留言、鲜花和其他物品。（韩国时报 Jon Dunbar 摄）

尽管他认为复苏尚未完成，但他相信梨泰院的特色将通过其美食、音乐、艺术和国际化社区得以延续。

他对今年来访者的邀请很简单：“穿上戏服，带着微笑和一颗博大的心来吧！”

Jason Waller，又名 Pinnacle TheHustler，在首尔市中心梨泰院经营 Lit Lounge 和 Billion Bar，并撰写有关该地区的人民、文化和夜生活的文章。

梨泰院的Lit Lounge在过去四年里犹如黑暗时代的一盏明灯。