The viral Namdaemun Scarf Ajossi, who gained massive online attention for his witty banter and unique sales style, has reportedly hired private security personnel due to surging crowds.
According to Yonhap News TV on the 6th, vendor A, who runs a scarf shop in Seoul’s Namdaemun Market, stationed three private security guards in front of his store starting at 11 a.m. that day.
The measure was taken to prevent potential accidents caused by an influx of visitors and to maintain orderly passage within the market.
Previously, A decided to temporarily close on the 31st of last month as massive crowds gathered. Although he reopened on the 4th, huge numbers of people flocked to the store again, prompting police to be dispatched.
Ultimately, A announced through his social media, “So many people gathered that even the police had to be dispatched, and I became very concerned about safety,” leading him to suspend operations again for the day on the 5th.
A Namdaemun Market merchants’ association official stated, “The scarf shop directly hired safety personnel,” adding that the market as a whole is also striving to prevent accidents.
Meanwhile, A rose to fame thanks to his unique pitch where he actively tells customers not to buy his items.
In particular, a video went viral on social media showing him selling six scarves for 10,000 won while discouraging purchases by saying, “You guys are overconsuming right now. Even if you take them home, you won’t use them.”
In addition, videos capturing A’s honest wit, such as freely cracking jokes with customers, sparked surging popularity and a rapid increase in visitors to his shop.
When deciding to temporarily close on October 31st, A asked visitors via social media not to make excessive visits. He stated, “Because so many people came all at once, it was difficult to properly greet and communicate with those who visited, and we unintentionally caused inconvenience to neighboring merchants.”>
He continued, “I’m not going anywhere and will always be right here in Namdaemun Market,” urging visitors, “Rather than making a special trip in such a rush, I would be grateful if you could comfortably drop by whenever you come to sightsee at the market.”>
In another video, expressing concern for the safety of visitors gathered around his shop, A remarked, “I want to make money too, but this isn’t right,” adding, “I have plenty of goods, but I’m not going to sell them.”>
