Halloween events nowhere to be seen this year
The alley in central Seoul's Itaewon, where a tragic crowd disaster killed at least 158, is virtually empty Halloween decorations are displayed outside a closed store, Nov. 11, 2022. Yonhap
Weeks ahead of the first anniversary of last year's deadly Halloween crowd disaster in Itaewon, related events and festivals that typically adopt Halloween themes are almost nowhere to be seen this year.
Notably, amusement parks, which have traditionally capitalized on Halloween, are showing noticeable changes.
Lotte World, a major recreation complex at Jamsil, started its festival in September under the theme "Dark Moon in Lotte World." This year, it collaborated with a webcomic featuring K-pop boy group ENHYPEN, adorning the park with elements from the webcomic.
In previous years, Lotte World hosted Halloween events starting every September, offering haunted houses, showcasing zombie performances and decorating the entire park for Halloween.
Similarly, Everland, another popular theme park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, went with “Happy Thanksgiving Day," as the theme of this year’s festival. The park's Four Season Garden was decorated with autumn flowers and fruit and will showcase a carnival fantasy parade rather than a Halloween-themed one.
People dressed up like zombies perform during the Horror Halloween Festival, which was held in 2017 at Lotte World in Seoul. Courtesy of Lotte World
Even local festivals focused on Halloween parties have been canceled. The Daegu Halloween Festival, a significant Halloween celebration in the city since 2018, has been canceled this year.
The decision was made considering public sentiment ahead of the first anniversary of the tragedy, according to Daegu's Nam District Office.
“I understand the intent and the importance of remembering the tragedy, but I’m not sure it is necessary to ban celebrating Halloween. The tragedy in Itaewon and Halloween itself should be separated,” said Kim Yu-bin, 24, an office worker who has occasionally celebrated Halloween with her friends.
Kindergartens and other private education academies that used to offer small-scale Halloween parties are following this trend by canceling their own Halloween celebrations this year.
For instance, a kindergarten in southern Seoul's Dongjak District held a Halloween party last year but decided instead to hold an autumn food event this year.
“I think it’s the right decision. If the kindergarten decided to throw a party this year, I would have disagreed with it,” a 40-year-old office worker, whose child started at the kindergarten in July this year, said on condition of anonymity.
A man puts a message on the memorial wall at the site of the crowd disaster in central Seoul's Itaewon, Oct. 15. Yonhap
Meanwhile, a dispute is ongoing about a post on an anonymous online community asking, “Is it inappropriate behavior to go to Itaewon this Halloween?”
Users of the online community had mixed reactions, with some believing it is better not to go, while others emphasize that is up to each person to decide.
“I think it’s up to each person to decide whether they will go to Itaewon or not. If someone wants to enjoy a Halloween party, they have to take their own risk in a crowded space,” said Cha Min-hyung, 28, an office worker.
There is also growing concern that people may flock to the streets around Hongik University in western Seoul. Many young people gathered in this area for Halloween weekend last Oct. 30, the day after the disaster in Itaewon. Concerns are prevalent about a similar pattern of behavior this year.