 |
| A quartet led by trumpeter Kim Ye-jung performs in the corridor of Huam Market in front of SoundDog jazz bar in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Oct. 25, 2018. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar |
By Jon Dunbar
Traditional markets across Seoul have been struggling to stay relevant in the age of ecommerce and hypermarkets. Huam Market, located uphill of Seoul Station on the western slope of Mount Nam, remains a cozy residential market that has modern facilities including a canopy and public washrooms.
Its shops and restaurants are busy throughout the day serving the local community. And on some nights, the sounds of jazz music can be heard ringing through its corridors.
That jazz comes from live musicians, and it can be traced to an impromptu stage area in the market passageway outside SoundDog, a jazz bar located within the market.
Kim Sung, owner of SoundDog, is responsible for this unexpected live music scene.
"I've been dreaming of a space where I can listen to jazz and have live music since the 1960s," Kim told The Korea Times.
He opened SoundDog in February 2017, offering concerts in the more temperate months of the year, typically from March to June and September to November. In its first year, he ran weekly shows, and in 2018 the schedule had up to six shows a week.
"However, due to complaints from grandmothers who sleep near the market, we agreed to limit it to twice a week," he said.
"Most people like having jazz in Huam Market, but one or two people have complaints, too."
The artists range from university students to experienced performers, including Mirrorball-signed singer Ha In-ae. Bands typically play as trios and quartets.
Kim puts on the shows on his own initiative, booking the acts and paying them out of his own profits, rather than as part of any city rejuvenation program or through receiving government money. On show nights, customers are asked to chip in 5,000 won extra to pay for the music acts.
The concerts give the market a friendly vibe that spreads out through the alleys of Huam-dong, encouraging local residents to visit to the market and helping keep the place safe.
He advertises mainly through postering the neighborhood and through Instagram posts. The events have maintained a local, intimate vibe, and have not yet drawn big enough crowds to disrupt the neighborhood.
"I don't think it's going to cause any gentrification. I've been running for two and a half years and I'm losing money. It's going to be hard for other industries to come in here with goals in mind other than making money," he said.
"Rather than becoming too famous, I want it to remain more of a hidden place."
Concerts usually start at 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, but the schedule is subject to change weekly. Visit Instagram.com/sounddog_jazz for more information including announcements for upcoming concerts.
