Itaewon rises as salad bowl of S. Korea through festival

SEOUL, Oct. 17 (Yonhap) — South Korea’s popular foreigner district of Itaewon celebrated its annual global festival over the weekend, with thousands of citizens and expats joining as one and getting a glimpse of how Seoul has emerged as a global city, organizers said Monday.

Itaewon was traditionally known for offering accommodations for travelers in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). After the 1950-53 Korean War it emerged as a full-fledged international district following the deployment of United States Forces Korea in the nearby Yongsan garrison, along with some 40 foreign embassies.

It also continued to build a reputation as a global district through the 1988 Seoul Summer Games.

While the older generations remember Itaewon as a foreigner-only district, younger South Koreans now consider the area as a perfect place to hang out and grab a drink, as each exotic and unique shop and restaurant makes visitors feel as if they are overseas.

Itaewon is unique in that it is home to not only popular clubs but a rare Islamic mosque as well. There is at least one location in Itaewon for all foreigners visiting South Korea to feel at home.

Organizers said the Itaewon Global Village Festival aims to bring such different cultures, both from home and abroad, together to share the idea that South Korea is now home for cultures around the globe.

“The event is aimed at making Itaewon a place where different cultures can communicate and bolster ties,” said Lee Dae-jin, an official from the shop owners’ association of Itaewon.

Lee, who has been working at the district for more than 20 years, says Itaewon has developed to become a true salad bowl over the past years.

“Decades ago, Itaewon was an area for only foreigners. But recently, more South Koreans are participating in the development of Itaewon. Through this, the town is now helping locals and expats expand exchanges,” Lee said.

“More foreigners of different origins are now taking part of the multicultural atmosphere of Itaewon. Compared to years ago, the town is now more diversified,” Lee said, highlighting a rising number of shops in Itaewon now run by foreigners.

South Korea’s justice ministry earlier announced that the number of foreigners living in the country reached nearly 2 million as of March, indicating that the country has become more globalized than ever.

 

It marks a significant rise from 490,000 posted in 2000, indicating the number of foreigners in the country jumped by fourfold in 15 years.

Kordonias Nikolaos, who has been working in Itaewon for more than 10 years at a Greek restaurant, also said the competition in the town has increased over the past years, but the change has brought more good.

“There are a lot of actions here. The tourism is good, and it is getting better and better,” he said.

Lee said the shop owners’ association currently has more than 20 foreigners as members, adding the government should continue its efforts to develop Itaewon as a true hub for cultural exchanges.

With Itaewon embracing more different cultures every year, the festival is also getting richer and more exciting, participants said.

“It is fun because I can taste different foods of the world,” said Lim Chang-min, an 11-year-old student who visited the venue with his brother, adding he can also recognize a rising number of foreign students at schools.

“I think the government should come up with more programs to help foreigners better settle in South Korea, such as providing them with language courses, or maybe even just play with them,” Lim added.

With the main street running across Itaewon being closed for the festival, every corner of the town was filled with food stands selling different kinds of dishes, from smoky kebabs to French bread fresh from the oven.

Foreign participants of the festival also said they were amazed how South Korea emerged to become a multicultural society, adding people are also kind and ready to embrace different cultures of the world.

“I think South Korea is now a multicultural society. Itaewon is now filled with not only South Koreans, but people from different cultures,” said Paul Boullard, a French man who has been living in South Korea for six months to learn the country’s martial art taekwondo.

“A lot of people are coming to South Korea and having good experiences,” also said Scott Webber as he tried on the Korean traditional clothing of “hanbok.”

“The embroidery is very intricate and makes myself look handsome,” Webber said, adding he also enjoyed great food and performances at the festival.

Julie Hwang, a 20-year-old university student who worked as a volunteer at the festival, added the country should consider organizing similar events to bridge South Koreans and foreigners closer.

“I’ve learned that South Korea became a multicultural society through a lecture,” Hwang said. “Currently, there are also some concerns over the country embracing different cultures. I believe events as such will help in eradicating such negative stances.”

Kim Na-eun and Kim Dong-eun, high school students who visited the venue to conduct a survey on South Korea’s multiculturalism, added the country is apparently making progress in embracing different cultures, but more efforts must be done.

“When we asked foreigners if they have ever faced discrimination here, most of them said they found trouble with seniors rather than younger generations,” Kim Dong-eun said. “I believe South Koreans are getting more familiar with the global atmosphere.”

Dong-eun added the government must make its policies more accessible to foreigners, as the language barrier still stands as a major hurdle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Comment

1. Peter Lim

   October 18, 2016 at 3:38 AM

   Lol, S. Korea is fucked.

   Reply