Deumeu

big_beom

Once upon a time, it was said that rooftops would become trendy. Years have passed since then, and of course, Euljiro was not in mind. There was only a trend, without the anticipation of a social disaster like COVID-19. Back in the day, the mere opportunity to feel the wavering breeze of a good season, to get slightly tipsy with the warmth of the sun-soaked ground before sunset, and to blankly observe the end of the day under a sunset sky was a long-held fantasy for many. That fantasy made even the most ordinary food special through storytelling and transformed regular alcoholic beverages into something with potential. The breeze from high places brought an emotion beyond expectation, turning into a spectacular fantasy without the need for madness or over-immersion. Even if it meant waiting indefinitely, cramped spaces, and allocating what seems like endless time, people willingly engaged in it. Witnessing a linear waiting line as soon as one finishes a break time or entering a store only to find a friendly smile from the staff and a waiting list with at least three teams ready to roam the streets puts things into perspective. ‘To avoid waiting, one practically had to set off yesterday.’ A wait of an hour to a generous hundred minutes was the norm. The more worn-out ceilings and inconveniently low headspaces were not significant issues but rather, aspects easily laughed off. Social disasters have emphasized the importance of private spaces. Yet, whispers of desire for exclusivity spread quickly. The sight of people gathered at a spot seemingly untouched by any natural disaster, societal tragedy, or pandemic, momentarily quenching their thirst amidst the prolongation of COVID-19, adhering to preventive measures, and promising to maintain distance, reflects not just the Korean spirit of leisure but an obsession. Euljiro, famously known as Hipjiro, maintains its warm and steady state despite expectations of cooling down. Inside quiet alleys, where outside views predict inactivity, people fervently share experiences of unjust times, energetically spending time behind masks in the obscured scenes of Euljiro.