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| Two elderly men play "baduk," a board game in front of a corner store in Euljiro, Seoul, on March 12. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk |
By Kang Hyung-kyung
Things are steadily going back to normal as the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year.
The elderly begin to play ‘janggi,' a Korean board game, in the street. Wary of virus contamination, they're armed with safety gear ― face masks ― which hide their emotions.
Janggi is a pandemic sport. People usually play it outside the home. It doesn't require much talk between players because it is all about strategy. People try to figure out their opponents' next move and they move their pieces accordingly.
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| People gather in front of a "lucky" lottery store to buy tickets near Namdaemun Market. The crowded lottery store amid the pandemic reflects that pandemic-weary people are clinging to hope for a lucky break. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk |
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| A woman takes a nap at a currency exchange store near Namdaemun Market in Seoul on March 11. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk |
Accustomed to the pandemic lifestyle, people walk a fine line between social distancing and social life.
They have begun to gather outside but avoid places that are expected to be crowded.
Middle-aged delivery women carrying food trays on their heads are spotted again here and there in markets. The scene was all too familiar during pre-pandemic days.
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| A woman carries a food tray on her head in Namdaemun Market. She told The Korea Times that she has been delivering hot meals for her customers all throughout the pandemic without missing a single day. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk |
Delivery women had disappeared since the outbreak began last year, as people chose to eat alone at home and stopped socializing with others.
Seeing the delivery women back at work signals that market merchants, their main customers, are resuming their businesses. The food delivered is warm enough to eat right away without heating in the microwave.
With the steady return of pre-pandemic life, resilience in our lives is back.
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| A merchant selling street food is waiting for customers on March 11. Merchants of traditional markets were among the hardest hit by the pandemic as virus-wary people stopped dropping by. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk |
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