SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - In the warren-like alleys of Dongdaemun Shopping Complex, Seoul’s sprawling wholesale fashion hub, a unique culture built on speed has quietly defined the rhythm of commerce for decades.
Here, the hum of motorcycles and the shuffle of small delivery trucks are as much a part of the landscape as bolts of fabric and sequins glinting in warehouse light.
For more than 40 years, Dongdaemun has operated not just as a wholesale marketplace, but as a vital artery in South Korea’s fashion industry, where retailers, manufacturers and online sellers rely on its famed quick delivery service — a vast, hyper-efficient system designed to meet the demands of a city where traffic is relentless and time is money.
Navigating congested roads, drivers — often on scooters or compact trucks — deliver goods ranging from textiles and zippers to trousseau items and garment accessories. Speed is essential. A rider may balance towering parcels of fabric on a scooter, the bulky loads held together with netting or straps.
The demographic of these drivers is shifting. Once dominated by men in their 40s and older, the scene changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As food delivery apps surged in popularity, young riders in their 20s and 30s entered the labor market. When that boom faded post-pandemic, many pivoted into quick delivery work, bringing new energy to a system showing signs of strain.
Despite the influx of younger drivers, the marketplace they serve is shrinking.
Over the past five years, the number of wholesale and retail workers in Dongdaemun has steadily declined, as has the volume of consumers utilizing its services. These days, even in the early afternoon — traditionally the peak period for dispatch — idle motorcycles sit lined up in tight rows, their riders staring at smartphones, waiting for the next job to appear.
The nature of the work leaves little room for leisure. Sit-down restaurants are scarce near the motorcycle lots. Instead, riders grab meals from food stalls or convenience stores, favoring items that can be eaten quickly: spicy tteokbokki, fish cakes skewered in broth, or pre-packaged hamburgers.
Roadside coffee and beverage stands once offered a brief reprieve — but like the business itself, they too are beginning to disappear.
reporter
Han Jun-gu
jungu141298@ajupress.com
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