A vendor at Namdaemun Market in Seoul, widely known online as the "Namdaemun scarf ajeossi," has become a social media sensation for the witty banter traded with customers. [YouTube 'Namdaemundadakuri' capture]
A vendor at Namdaemun Market in Seoul, widely known online as the "Namdaemun scarf ajeossi," has become a social media sensation for the witty banter traded with customers. [YouTube 'Namdaemundadakuri' capture]

A street vendor at Seoul's Namdaemun Market who became an unlikely social media star for blunt, laugh-out-loud banter with customers has temporarily closed shop after crowds grew too large to handle safely.

The vendor, identified only as A, posted a closure notice on Instagram on Saturday, announcing an early end to business that day and a full day off on Sunday. "I'm going to take some time to reorganize for safety and get my body back in order," the vendor wrote.

A sells six scarves for 10,000 won ($7) and recently became a social media sensation after videos of the stall's freewheeling customer exchanges spread widely online.

In the clips, A can be seen rifling through piles of scarves with customers and firing off a stream of deadpan one-liners: "Stop being so polite — you have to dig to find anything good." "Just think about who you're buying it for. It won't suit your mom anyway." "Use it to wipe your sweat — don't go around wearing it." "Go at it as hard as you can. That's how you find the good ones." "If you believe it's in there, it'll turn up." "If you give up on this, you give up on everything." Customers responded with bursts of laughter.

As the vendor's following grew, so did the foot traffic — until the crowds became difficult to manage.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, A wrote: "I've been drawing real energy and joy from the back-and-forth with customers at the shop. But lately, so many people have been coming all at once that I can barely greet them properly, and I've been causing unintended trouble for the vendors around me."

A added: "It weighed on me to see people who had come from far away turn around and leave empty-handed. I'm always here at Namdaemun Market, so please don't rush out of your way to find me — just stop by whenever you're in the area, at your own pace."

In a recent video, A also appealed directly to visitors: "I want to make money too, but this isn't the way. I have plenty of goods, but I'm not going to sell today. Just take your photos and leave with the memories."

When news of the closure spread, online commenters rallied behind the vendor. "I walked past last week and it was absolute chaos — looked like someone could get crushed," one wrote. Others chimed in: "The moms love digging through the scarves while listening to the owner's jokes — hope you're taking care of your health." "It's a precious weekend — it's not like the owner wanted to close." "At this point, a bodyguard wouldn't be out of place." "They don't even point that many cameras at BTS."

A is set to reopen Monday after the brief rest and safety reorganization.


betterj@heraldcorp.com