Itaewon Friday Night

When I showed up around 9:30pm, there was a large presence of police and various other workers, and they had these barriers deployed to make the main alley behind the Hamilton into two separated lanes of traffic.

Ahead I saw three people in Halloween costumes.

During this walk, I only ever saw one other person wearing a costume, and that person's costume was just like cat ears. I suspect women were less likely to wear costumes than men this year.

Following along the barrier.

This is a typical view of an alley-side business at the time of this visit, showing that it was basically empty inside.

Still following along the barrier. I'm starting to like that my camera lens blurs elements to the side.

Looking down the disaster alley, which has recently been renamed the October 29 Memorial Alley.

I caught some foreigners sticking notes on this wall, then walking away and taking this picture. Assuming that a spiky jacket like this was not intended as a costume.

Gu office workers standing at the curb.

Looking right up the alley.

Here's a sign posted as part of the memorial alley display. Personally I hope this stuff becomes a permanent fixture.

It's not that intrusive, at least compared to the police presence.

They cordoned off one lane of the road out front, which had been done post-disaster last year too.

There were Christians in front of the Hamilton Hotel.

But the songs they sang seemed to be intended to be uplifting and were not at all hateful. Maybe I didn't see enough though.

This Korean-only sign indicates this alley is entry only.

Some more of the workers. They seemed to be a mix of cops, gu office civil servants, and various other volunteers.

Here's a telling sight, a closed-down business.

Here's a bus stop that is apparently a danger. People boarding the buses had to jump in front of the emergency vehicles to get to the buses which couldn't reach the curb. Very safe.