Travel Phrases — Entry No. 0376
이태원
itaewon · noun
이태원
itaewon
[ee-TAE-won]
nounbeginner
Meaning
Itaewon (이태원) is Seoul’s most cosmopolitan neighborhood, located in Yongsan-gu adjacent to a US military base that shaped its distinctly international character over decades. Famous for global cuisine, vintage fashion, multicultural nightlife, and a historically significant LGBTQ+ community, Itaewon represents a Seoul unlike anywhere else in the city. The neighborhood is also solemnly remembered as the site of the October 2022 Halloween crowd crush that claimed over 150 lives.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
The 2020 JTBC drama ‘Itaewon Class’ (이태원 클라쓰) starring Park Seo-jun brought massive global attention to the neighborhood, following an ex-convict who opens a bar-restaurant called 단밤 in Itaewon to dismantle a corrupt food empire — the show topped Netflix charts across Asia. Singer Gaho’s OST track ‘Start Over’ became an anthem that dominated streaming platforms for months. Itaewon’s unmatched global food scene — halal restaurants, Mexican taquerias, Ethiopian cuisine — makes it the first stop for many international K-pop fans craving familiar food alongside Korean staples.
Example Sentences
이태원에는 다양한 나라 음식이 있어요.
Itaewon-eneun dayanghan nara eumsigi isseoyo.
There are foods from various countries in Itaewon. (A key appeal that draws both locals and tourists seeking international flavors)
이태원 클라쓰 촬영지에 가고 싶어요.
Itaewon Keullasseu chwalyeongji-e gago sipeoyo.
I want to go to the filming location of Itaewon Class. (Fans make pilgrimages to the 단밤 bar exterior, which still draws crowds)
이태원은 주말에 사람이 정말 많아요.
Itaewon-eun jumal-e sarami jeongmal manhayo.
Itaewon really has a lot of people on weekends. (Crowds can be intense — the 2022 tragedy underscored the risks of extreme density)
⚠️ Don’t use itaewon when…
Visiting for K-drama filming spots is wonderful, but be respectful of the neighborhood’s complex identity — the 2022 Itaewon tragedy means the area carries deep grief for many Koreans. The main nightlife strip becomes dangerously overcrowded during major holidays; always stay aware of crowd conditions.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Itaewon Class — Park Seo-jun’s character opens the 단밤 bar-restaurant on Itaewon’s main street, using it as his launchpad to take down a corrupt food conglomerate
- K-Pop: Gaho — ‘Start Over,’ the chart-dominating OST from Itaewon Class that became one of the biggest K-drama soundtrack hits of 2020
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.