A devastating fire swept through Seomun Market years ago, leaving vendors struggling and waiting for promised redevelopment. Nearly a decade later, 2025 is just another year of survival for the shopkeepers, still facing uncertainty. Seomun Market, one of South Korea’s three major traditional markets with roots tracing back to the Joseon Dynasty, welcomes nearly 14,500 visitors each day across its six districts. Yet District 4 remains frozen in time.

Back in 2016, a blaze, believed to have been sparked by a leaking LPG gas tank, consumed an entire building, destroying hundreds of shops and leaving vendors with catastrophic losses. While smaller fires had struck the market in the past, this one left lasting scars. To this day, the damage remains untouched, the area unrepaired, and the community left waiting.

In this video, Sophie and Sally walk through the market to uncover how the delay in redevelopment has reshaped the community. They listen to the stories of affected vendors, explore the resilience, and shed light on how a once-thriving hub of commerce is coping with the uncertainty of its future.