For better or worse, Korea often looks to the west for ideas. As younger people discover the relative consistency and convenience of the supermarkets, the outdoor and covered traditional markets are slowly beginning to decline. Not only do young consumers prefer the brightly lit indoor stores, but most of the market vendors are now elderly. As they pass away and retire, few younger merchants are interested in taking their places.

But for the present, hundreds of small, independent merchants still hawk their products in the markets and on the sidewalks nearby. Most don't own vehicles, so early in the morning, the greens sellers pick their vegetables in their gardens or gather them on the mountains, tie them up in colorful pojagis, and catch the bus into town.