How the Pandemic Has Changed SEOUL - Then & Now | Life in Korea

[@2hearts1seoul]

Part 2 of 'How The Pandemic Has Changed Seoul' (Sinsa & Itaewon): kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGawg4F3esiWqM0

[@PR008]

Absolutely heartbreaking. Similar situation here in Canada. Major difference being here its mostly young businesses, while I know in Asia its a lot of mom pop shops that will possibly not be able to recover and start over :( question - does Korea have any pandemic economic benefits for the unemployment or business continuity like Canada is providing ?

[@madeinbusanjkjm]

It's completely heartbreaking to see those empty shops, that not only closed temporarily but got completely evicted cause they couldn't pay the rent due to loss of bussiness. I feel for all those older Koreans who were selling street food. At the beginning of this pandemic we were all hoping things will get better soon but so far it's not looking great. I really hope those small businesses can recover from this somehow. It was a great idea to show a side by side comparison of Seoul. You guys always come up with such creative videos ♥️

[@2hearts1seoul]

Yeah...the crazy high rental fees in Seoul definitely did not help small businesses here. And thank you so much~ ❤️

[@jnmc2498]

It’s sad, but trust me it’s the same story in many other countries around the world. 🙁

[@Miseremei71]

this is not just happening in Seoul, my home country is facing the same problem. Hotels and shops even shopping malls are closed down due to the pandemic affecting the economy.

[@giuovi7889]

Wow. That's heartbreaking and it's the same situation we're living here in Italy. I really hope we're going to get over this together

[@TheTinyninja17]

Wow, that’s so unbelievably sad. Hopefully they can rebuild these communities again.

[@2hearts1seoul]

Really, really hope so too ♥️

[@nickc19958]

@Aaron Z. I mean obviously different times and such will affect crowd sizes. But there is no question that some areas like Myeongdong relied heavily upon tourism which is way down. The big chains will survive but small businesses will struggle like always. Just way worse now that tourists and even Seoul residents are going out less.

[@sb8095]

@Aaron Z. True!!

[@Cecilia-]

@@nickc19958 Tourism from overseas? or tourism from koreans?

[@vtrdbrt]

It's funny that I live in the other side of the world but I feel like I know all those places through your vlogs ^^ love it

[@2hearts1seoul]

Thank you 🙏 That’s always our goal~

[@sakuramylannguyen]

Been there Victoria, from Ireland, well worth the trip 😎😎

[@jennawhitecloud5680]

yep, I just closed down my hair salon in Berkeley California after 25 years. Really weird. What next? Who knows! All I can do though is be thankful for the beauty that IS showing up: more gratitude, slower pace of life, people appreciating each other more, changing ones life to include much more self care, etc...

[@lizawithaz9524]

Another aspect of how truly devastating this pandemic is. Stay safe people x

[@kathleenkaye4404]

At the start of 2020, I planned to spend my birthday in Seoul, this coming October. But due to C19, I cannot even renew my visa to go there. Thank you, Sarah and Kyuho for taking me to the places that I've been dying to revisit. Hoping for all of this to end as soon as possible so that we could all go back to the time where we can travel and eat out as much as we want to. Please always stay safe, you two. Sending lots of love for you both, Beemo, and the other kitties too.

[@mjkrech]

Thanks for taking the time to find the older street scenes to contrast with how they look now. Great way to show the economic fallout in Seoul. Wow!

[@ralibitigor7429]

OMG, really good footage. It's reminder for us to not be egoist by ignoring health regulation. Good job sara and kyuho....I feel like I am watching short documenter film

[@jplw4493]

We were in all those places just last year (also stayed near Myeongdong), so sad to see how it has changed. Looks like Seoul was hit harder than NYC, we miss Seoul so much. Hopefully we can go back next year.

[@lesliehewes2305]

I’ve been living vicariously through your Vlogs since the COVID pandemic started. It was sobering to see the effects this virus is having on Life as it persists. Great video.

[@sylviachen9184]

So sad seeing this. My girlfriends were there last year in Sep and sent me pics and it was packed. Hope people can support small businesses over there. They are doing it over here in NYC. Even just getting takeout helps them stay afloat and some restaurants have even put tables outside to help with social distancing. Saw some pics of Koreatown and Chinatown here and it was pretty busy so the outdoor tables are helping.

[@shmickyshmoe]

So many of us are out of shape ( gaining weight too ☹️). Very sad worldwide conditions. We have hurricanes and fires out of control here in the US along with the pandemic. Well, stay safe and try and have a very content and happy week. Many of us still have so much to be thankful for

[@linhstc2604]

I visited Korea 3 times in last 2 years including 2 times in Seoul. Every place in this vlog is so familiar with me and too heart breaking to see what happens to them right now. Hope you guys stay safe and everything is back to normal asap. Many thanks to Sarah and Kyuho, look forward to seeing Seoul in the foliage season through your videos.

[@alyssarosengard6674]

It is so heartbreaking. The same thing is happening here in Connecticut, USA. We were close to the epicenter of the virus and our businesses are suffered greatly. We have so many empty buildings. Our brew pubs and restaurants are closing.

[@wingtsang7635]

Thank you Sarah and Kyuho for showing us what Seoul looks like today and yesteryear. I can see a lot of effort went into the planning, filming and editing of this video. Bravo! Beautifully done!

[@jamesgo7893]

매주 이 시간에 올려주시는 영상을 보고...'아...또 한주의 시작인가'라는 생각을 하게 되네요.ㅎㅎ 회사에 쌓여있는 일 생각하니 ....ㅠㅠ

[@annahendrix4756]

A very informative and impressive video about the impact of covid in Seoul, it's sad to see that so many fine shops were forced to close because of the virus, greetings from the Netherlands, Anna

[@sashalee07]

This really hurts. I was in Seoul last year and it's so sad the difference of then and now due to the current issue. So sad. I hope things are able to mellow out soon. I'm coming back next year and hopefully things are better. I hope the communities are able to build back up after this.

[@michellevioli4915]

i recognized those guys in red vest - they are EXTREMELY helpful when we were in Myeongdong. stay safe too guys xx

[@KimYoungMin360]

Seeing those 임대 postings on the places and shops you used to enjoy visiting is just heartbreaking. Hope we can get over this pandemic already. Stay safe everyone!

[@rafaelnercessian3654]

Sorry to hear how much Korea has been affected, hopefully you guys can recover very soon, sending my best wishes. My city is one of the most affected in the world as well, hopefully this will be over. Cheers from Brazil

[@IR-io6el]

Really liked how you shot this video. And the music. And also Kyuho's backpack.

[@Mizyeu]

I was in Seoul and Busan last year Oct with my mum and it’s sad to see so much changes and how much this pandemic has causes.

[@hoperexxx]

Glad you guys got to make this video

[@Arctophilist]

Sadly scene like this is happening all around the world, even here in Singapore as well as neighbouring Malaysia. I miss Seoul but it will sometime before all of us can travel freely again. Thanks for sharing this very insightful video, stay safe and healthy everyone.

[@abbycruzramos]

i just stumbled upon your vlog and i just want to thank you for showing seoul to us and how it is now there. my husband and i were supposed to go last march but pandemic happened to our trip got cancelled. huhu.. hoping for everyone's safety and for the economy to jump start soon. X

[@melissahayden6889]

Small businesses are closing at an alarming rate. We’re on the brink of a world wide depression like the one in 1929.

[@leannevanzessen3951]

governments should help imo! In the Netherlands there’s actually less bankrupt businesses bc of govt support. Would be sad and bad if only big chains survive:(

[@nattsveron9327]

@@leannevanzessen3951 there’s actually a big debt crisis that affects small businesses and young people in south korea, this pandemic is not helping either but I’ve seen some changes from the government to stop this, still they’re not enough though.

[@leannevanzessen3951]

@@nattsveron9327 I recently saw a documentary on that crisis, thank you for reminding me about it! Let's hope the pandemic won't go on for too long and the economy can restore again, so we can have healthy small businesses again:(

[@mmt1575]

Are we really on the brink of it?

[@YangSunWoo]

The economy as a whole has not declined, but the transfer of wealth from middle to rich has definitely occured.

[@wiscgaloot]

Well, this is one of the ways that S. Korea has managed to keep total COVID deaths below 500. I'm in my 2nd week of quarantine now, and it's brutal, but it is another way they have kept the country safe. I was thinking of taking a trip into Seoul to have some street food, but now I see that will have to wait until my next business trip. I hope the government has helped support those who lost their businesses.

[@2hearts1seoul]

It’s definitely got to be rough, but it’s true that it’s really an effective way to keep everyone safe. Hang in there! 💪

[@wiscgaloot]

@@2hearts1seoul Thanks! I'm really sick of kimchi and mystery meat....

[@2Atrox0]

Every time I’m back in Korea I avoid touristy areas because I really don’t like it. But seeing all these stores gone, that depended on tourists mostly, is really heartbreaking. Also I hope to be able to travel to Korea again...

[@dalkis1717]

All the streets and shops were places that I will visit whenever I go back to Seoul. Feels so strange and sad😥 Hope we will reach the end of the pandemic soon. 화이팅 everyone!

[@iscreamcandy1161]

Thank you so much for the video. My mom and I have been discussing how a lot of our favorite stores had to close down in NYC. And this really shows that it's happening all over. Cities that depend on tourists like NYC and Seoul have taken a big hit. I'm hoping that supporting those around will at least make a tiny difference if any. Have a great day guys!

[@Kakarott2023]

the video was super well made.❤️

[@HoneyButterBiscuits]

I visited Seoul during the Spring of 2019 and it is such a shock to see how drastically an area like Myeongdong has been affected by the pandemic in just 1 year. My jaw actually dropped seeing that empty Nature Republic 😧, because I know how difficult it was for my friends and I to navigate around the throngs of customers in skincare stores like that last year. We had plans to return in early-November right after Chuseok this year, but have to postpone that trip until 2021. Hopefully, it will be safer for everyone to travel then.

[@anacarolinaplanez1134]

even thought I've never been to Seoul it's kinda weird seeing everything so empty, I'm used to seeing a lot of people from the vlogs I watched. Hope you two are ok, lots of love 💖 (oh and I forgot to say, I love that you always show the street cats on your vlogs 😻)

[@gadisannualreport6007]

Thank you so much Kyuho and Sarah, to share this video, that was heartbreaking to see many stores are closed, I hope this pandemic gonna be over soon. I hope you guys, stay safe, and healthy..thank you.

[@jimjimgl3]

I wish I could say that the contents of this video were unique to Seoul. So many places are suffering from the financial impact of the virus. Super interesting and informative (if sad) upload...

[@pinkpepsi25]

Omgosh, it breaks my heart seeing the closed shops 💔 it used to be bustling with tourists... I always love going back to around this area when in seoul... It always makes me feel at home ❤

[@PS-ro9hw]

So sad. Must hope that next year will be easier. Stay healthy and thank you for videos.

[@TheUgliestKitchen]

Sad that so many places are going out of business. I really hope countries around the world can step up and help citizens rebuild.

[@sz0711]

Thank you for sharing this guys. Been missing seoul as I just visited korea last year oct. 1 year passed, hope everyone stay strong 💪🏽

[@payodi]

I love your videos! Miss being in Seoul every autumn ☹️

[@pl9503]

Thanks for today vlog. Going around Anguk stations for Insadong, Samcheongdong, Bukchon Hanok village, Myeongdong... etc was my favorite in Seoul. It's where old meets new. And the horizon view from Bukchon village is always memorable. I really miss Seoul!!!!

[@anditapritasari4988]

This is so devastating to see. I spent almost 2 years for my graduate school in Seoul and returned back home exactly at the end of december 2019. Life has gotten so much different ever since.

[@dadsurvival3077]

Wow....Thanks for sharing awesome video guys. It's so strange to see those streets were supposed to be filled with tourists and commercial activities.... You guys passed by my hometown as well and made me soooo nostalgic. I'm in NY and just miss so much of those beautiful Seoul.....Thank you for sharing guys. Hope you guys stay safe and well.... I just subbed. :)

[@MonsterMidi]

It’s so heartbreaking to see this. I feel so so sad. I have been going to Seoul since 2014-2015... just about my favorite place in the world. Every year, my trip to Seoul was better and better! Always something new and different to offer. This is my first year back in the states... and I can’t bear to see Seoul suffering like this. I practically lived on the subway. Green line #2! I was on it everyday or walking somewhere. I hope Seoul recovers very quickly to become the Seoul Korea I love and miss! George Francis, South Carolina

[@JennieVPollard]

Some of the before and after shots left me with an eerie feeling.

[@2hearts1seoul]

It was definitely a really strange feeling editing them together and seeing the contrast :(

[@taniachanda8107]

Happy Sunday ❣️😊

[@user-38dn]

This is really, really sad. I went to Itaewon a few days ago, and the same thing happened there. Some of the buildings were dark with nothing on a rent, and there were quite a few human beings on the streets. Wonder when will this end.

[@rachelmcnelis3050]

Itaewon was starting to be like that before because of many other reason besides Corona. First because of real state prices driving everyone out and the military leaving Yongsan and moving to other bases in Korea. Second, they will soon be taking a chunk out of it Itaewon for high rise apartment buildings which hasn't helped with getting buissnesses to stay either. Then there was the whole night club incident (where a bunch of people got Coronavirus because they thought it was a good idea to go clubbing in the middle of a pandemic) didn't help matters either.Then because of that everyone one was like don't you dare go to Iteawon or we will fire you( if your a foreigner and an English school teachers)

[@clarajap]

this is too sad ... thank you for sharing the real situation of Korea

[@Nyosupi]

This is so sad 😞 I remember eating at that very street foods stalls in Myeongdong last year. Even early in the morning the streets were busy there. I also remember a lot of the other places you've shown. It's sad to see it like this. I hope we can all come back from this once this is over. 😕 stay safe guys.

[@h.p.677]

Great reminder to get your beauty box! I'm always that last minute procrastinator - stay safe :-)

[@5feetaway326]

Was in seoul last year and was planning on coming back this year for longer this time. Heart breaking seeing so many places I've been before empty ..... my heart goes out to the small businesses that are most affected during this time.

[@cake2438]

it's a bit hard to digest. while i'm glad to see that there weren't very many people outside at all in the areas you went to (whenever i go out in california to pick up something, there's always a ton of people just hanging out outside and not being careful), on the flipside, it's also very difficult to see all the local shops that have closed and the apparent abandonment. i don't know what government assistance for local shops over there is like, but hopefully the former owners of those shops are managing, somehow :(((

[@lilykeum1124]

Im a korean living in New York. I’ve been wondering how Seoul streets have changed since covid-19. Thank you for documenting this and sharing with us.

[@sb8095]

@Aaron Z. Exactly!!

[@dahiannaarguedas7121]

It's very sad, here is the same scenario. It's heart breaking that they were not just stores, they were someone else's efforts and dreams and now all closing.

[@2hearts1seoul]

Exactly 😞 It was so shocking to see and really hard to swallow.

[@allietokki]

I was in Korea this time last year and its crazy to see all the places I went and saw are now empty. Im from the UK and its being a crazy time. Stay safe 🙏

[@dianaziwes9275]

This was so sad to watch. All the shops i was going to visit has gone. I Hope they will be back when its safe to travel again.

[@cleofebanieldequina475]

Thank u guys for the update,,ur such a lovely couple,God bless both of you,.with love from the Philippines🥰

[@riajunnelle9321]

I’ve usually fly 2-3x a year to Seoul to visit my best friends and spend some time and since the pandemic I haven’t been back since March and it breaks my heart to see all of this. I miss Seoul so much and it’s busy streets.

[@tamarabutler7672]

This is heart breaking! I was to visit friends there just after the pandemic hit and everything was cancelled. My heart aches for everyone who has suffered loss in any way. Prayers to all. Thank you for sharing, it was great yet sad, to see so many places I've been.

[@sheilared777]

Oh wow! Myeongdong and Samcheongdong are two of my favorite places to visit in Seoul! It's SO sad! I hope things turn around and that those affected are able to come back once things get back to normal. Thank you for sharing. Stay safe & take care.

[@ness1ish]

This is so sad to watch . I was booked to come 1st October from New Zealand but unfortunatly i didnt see the point as no tourists are traveling , im hopibg fingers crossed to come feb 2021. Thanks for another great video .....

[@adden2242]

Saw you guys in Cup of TJ vlog, so I subscribed to your channel, nice vlogs guys! stay safe.

[@alexis_analysis]

Thanks for making this video. Been trying to get some updates of how it is like in Seoul now because I think some of the mainstream media try to downplay things. Yeah, once you takeaway tourism, a large part of the economy is gone. I hope affected people gets the help they need. Really I think everyone everywhere hope things get better soon.

[@syaasharif]

So sad! I like Seoul a lot. Planned to go again in 2020 but I guess we’ll just have to wait for now. Thanks for sharing this

[@Calichick67]

Thank you for the insight into how the pandemic is affecting Korea.

[@2hearts1seoul]

Thanks so much for watching~!

[@lucijademo1557]

It really is sad..but I guess every country has been affected,same here in Croatia,tourist country but not much tourism this year..sooo many shops closed.. Hope it gets better! Great video as always,sending good vibes 🤗

[@2hearts1seoul]

It was so strange and sad to see what those areas are like now :( Really hope things get better sooner rather than later... Thanks so much for watching ☺️

[@jeminn1979]

Im sorry i shouldn't laugh but the "it's just couple people and us and one pigeon" 😂

[@val28ca]

LMAO!!

[@jojyyn]

I also laughed out loud at tht part

[@rachelmcnelis3050]

Insadong is one of my favorite places in Seoul and now there are so many empty places. I also live near Garosu-gil is like 80 percent empty storefronts. It is so sad what has happened to Seoul because of Corona. Unfortunately, I think is the case in many countries that rely on tourism are this way. (One positive thing, I know the Hanok owners are really happy for the peace and quiet, )

[@leerzajable]

i was there in SK for the first time in Feb-Mar this year. I stayed at myeongdong and visited most of the places featured in your vlog. when i arrived in MD on a friday, the streets were still bustling. however, halfway through my trip, the number of cases shot up and the streets began to have less crowd. i witnessed the change from a bustling myeongdong, to an almost empty street (towards end Feb) just during my two weeks stay there. it was heartbreaking. thru your vlog, you brought back many of my lovely memories of Seoul. in fact, towards the end of the video, i think you guys stood infront of L7 Myeongdong hotel which is the hotel i stayed at :) i am very thankful your video ended up on my homepage. i hold SK close to my heart, and I pray for the world to heal. i hope i would be able to visit SK again in a few years' time, and by then, i hope the streets would be bustling again

[@Salso97]

Watching your vlogs and listening to your voices relaxes me. It lowers my blood pressure. Hahaha. 😅😅

[@2hearts1seoul]

Ohh, thank you 😳 Such a nice compliment~ ☺️

[@pris19]

Thanks for this vid, I’m super missing my fav city Seoul!!! It’s so sad to see Myeongdong so empty!! My fav shopping street! Was just there in June & Dec last year.. and it’s now so different.. 😭😭 really praying for this coronavirus pandemic to be over so that i can visit my fav city again! Meanwhile, pls stay safe and take care!

[@adrose6940]

10:12 OMG, that makes me really sad. I used to travel a lot to Seoul, but I needed to stop due this pandemic. Everyday, literally everyday I used to go to take my first meal in that street in Myeongdong, and sometimes for dinner too because I like to stay around that area, and seeing it closed like that, it's really sad. I was hoping to return to Seoul on november but it seems impossible right now. I love Seoul.

[@jjrmmrrja4535]

This is just sad. I did nothing but sigh while watching this. I feel bad for those who lost their jobs or have to close their small businesses. I've been to Seoul 3 times before, went to Myeongdong twice, & this d*mn pandemic is making me angry & cry. In my country, businesses are affected too, but I feel bad for the people in our transport sector the most. Those who drive public utility vehicles have not had their source of income for months now, & no one is reallu helping them.

[@AlanaBertozzi]

I am in super nostalgia mode while watching this. I miss getting off at Anguk station and roaming around. All the dreamy coffee places and little nooks to go exploring. I MISS Korea so much :((((((((((((((((9

[@onthegowithefo]

Wow.. we visited in April 2019 and yeah, STARK difference now. Shocking to see, but thank you for sharing the reality of the situation. Stay safe guys!

[@Roxadus460]

This is so different than the Seoul I lived in 2017, I recognized a lot of spots I went to and I cried a little bit. Especially the Myeongdong and Samcheong area

[@GiGiZen]

I have never been to Korea, but would really like to visit. It is so heart wrenching to see what this pandemic has done globally. I am praying for a vaccine so we can all return to some sort of normalcy in the near future. Thank you for sharing and please stay safe.

[@shafeqmohamed]

You guys gained a new subscriber today. Love the content and missing Seoul so much!!! Annyeong!!! ^^

[@2hearts1seoul]

Awww, hello and welcome! ☺️

[@grez2952]

i'm gonna visit south korea someday, praying for our world's healing 🥺🙏🏻

[@waterlilly1498]

I was in Seoul in 2015 and again in 2016... So sad to see how things have changed 😢

[@milkman3873]

this is so sad to watch! when i was in middle school i lived in seoul for half a year for my dads work, and i remember there being tons of people all the time on my way to school. hopefully seoul gets back to when it once was sooner than later

[@JoyousSerendipity]

So sad to see this. Thank you for sharing. Stay safe

[@alnaKa]

thank you for your videos :)

[@2hearts1seoul]

Thanks for even watching them ❤️

[@Sqyar]

Omg my heart brakes from this video. I miss korea so bad. And seeing Myeongdong almost empty truly makes me wanna cry🥺

[@jeremylohjianwai1836]

This is sad...I was just in Seoul in January it was so packed with people...stay strong 화이팅 💪🏼

[@2hearts1seoul]

That must’ve been right before things started to really slow down. Glad you could enjoy it at the time at least :(

[@jeremylohjianwai1836]

@@2hearts1seoul yeah I’m glad I went for the trip..I love Korea

[@cherylschaeffer7832]

This is so incredibly sad. I feel for all the people who lost their jobs and businesses. Here in New York (Long Island specifically) we also have a lot of businesses that haven't re-opened yet and some that may never. I am glad to see that you are both well, Beemo is well and the cats look good (how is the one who had the cut doing?). Stay well and safe!

[@greenlover5734]

Woo I miss Korea where I was born and grew up ! Now I’m living in US. Thanks for nice video. Still nice and clean there ;)

[@cloudsrainbow8494]

Best time to be a tourist in Seoul. Wish I could be there

[@rickylleow]

I have been to Seoul many times, 18 times to be exact, for business. I used to stay around Myeongdong area. I felt sorry for those hardest hit traders especially those selling popular street foods. Korea is a peaceful n safe country, never once have I felt my own safety was in jeopardy while roaming around Seoul. I hope all of us will emerge stronger from the pandemic soon.

[@ericamichelle3631]

😔

[@cchewdiary]

Seeing all those familiar places empty when I’ve just been there last year is just heartbreaking..

[@ellenpena5518]

I supposed to be there this October because of it's my favorite season in Seoul. Probably when this is over this is my 2nd country I need to visit again next to Singapore. Be safe guys. - Ellen from Philippines

[@AnyBrownie]

This video was incredibly sad to watch, last year I visited Seoul for the first time and now everything looks so different. Let's hope that the situation improves soon in all countries.

[@jennifer_mertens]

So sad. Every empty business represents several economically suffering families. It's heart breaking. This video represents a lot of the small business' situations all over the world right now. It's devastating to think of.

[@SarahYusoff]

I went to Hanok Village exactly one year ago today on my birthday.. I miss Seoul very dearly! Hope everyone stays safe and I wish the world will heal someday 🖤

[@josemanalo9190]

i swear this is the time to travel. ... be enjoying the place all to me self

[@millieatcentralcagarden9764]

You both did an excellent job doing the before and after shots. It's so sad to see so many shops closed. It's the same here in the US. Everywhere has literally gone to online shopping. It's the new norm. My husband and I were planning to visit S. Korea for the 1st time right before COVID but now we have to wait. The economy will come back. It will just take some time. You both be safe and thanks for sharing!

[@anchoragesalsa]

Nice. Would be interesting to see how other cities are fairing from the local youtubers.

[@etv4975]

It's so sad to see so many places shutting down due to the pandemic. Especially when some of my favorite places close, I get heartbroken.