4 years on, Itaewon businesses face Halloween with mixed expectations
Summary
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.
Key Facts
- 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.
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.
Lasting impact
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.
Safety measures
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.
Remembering tragedy
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.
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