There is a life at Namoo that only its regulars will know. I was lucky enough to be introduced to the circle. The warmth of its patrons, is like no other. While not knowing each other, they would all make an effort to try. This place was second home for many of us above Hyochang-dong. It is standard practice to stand, bow and greet new people/friends when they enter a room in Korea, as a bar most places this wouldn’t be the norm, Namoo however was different- it was family. It is a home of external family, but the kind of external family you reunite with every week.
I’ve never really had an attachment with an establishment, but this morning when I heard that Namoo was closing down at the end of this month I felt a bit 멘봉 (at a loss).. While I was only a regular there of a few months across the years i’ve been travelling to Seoul, this place sums up everything there is about the community of friends and warmth of the people. Regularly meeting with Yura and Dahee at Namoo will be one of my favourite past times.
(If I understand korean in the slightest) I arrive 9 days too late. 멘봉…