Walking Around Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu:

“Still for Lease”

Words by Jeong-Yoon Lee

---

As I wander around the neighborhood,

there’s one word that keeps catching my eye these days:

“For Lease.”

Since COVID-19, “For Lease” signs have become a lot more common.

Before the pandemic, it felt like every ground-floor shop was alive and bustling with business.

But over the years, one by one, shops started closing.

And now, even after a whole year, some places are still empty.

It’s not just me who notices.

Whenever someone passes by those vacant spots,

you can often hear them muttering,

“What used to be here again?”

The curiosity — and maybe a little sadness — lingers in the air.

---

There was once a spot where a new café quickly popped up,

but now it’s been sitting empty for over a year.

It’s hard not to feel a little concerned.

Most of the new businesses that do open these days are either convenience stores or cafés.

Not long ago, I even heard that a local taco shop closed down.

Even though it’s not my property,

I find myself daydreaming,

“What would be good to open here?”

On the brighter side,

a new optical shop just opened up in one of the long-empty spaces!

Now, our neighborhood has not one, but three opticians.

Somehow, it feels reassuring.

---

I’d love to step inside the empty buildings and explore them more closely,

but for now, I can only take a few photos from the outside.

I hope a variety of businesses move in —

from large-scale shops to small, cozy stores.

Watching shows like

“Ppoksak Sokassuda”

makes me believe:

Even if the location isn’t perfect,

the right business with the right buzz will eventually thrive.

If I could make a wish,

I’d love to see a matcha café open up nearby. (haha)

---

Sure, I could try to sound like a real estate expert

and share price ranges, floor sizes, and lease terms,

but honestly?

It’s probably better to just pick up the phone and call the listing number.

For now,

I’ll keep walking,

keep observing,

and keep recording the little stories of my neighborhood.