“A face ruined by all that hardship”... ‘Scarf Uncle’ touched by an acquaintance’s comment

[Financial News] The acquaintance of the “Scarf Uncle,” who became popular for his witty jokes with customers at Seoul’s Namdaemun Market, claims that he has been in business since he was 19. That claim has come to light.

On the 10th, a video introducing the past of Mr. A, a merchant who runs the scarf shop Hanyangsa at Namdaemun Market, was posted on the YouTube channel Docu Hanbam.
Mr. A earned the nickname “Namdaemun Scarf Uncle” after his witty exchanges with customers spread online. Because he looks like actor Leonardo DiCaprio, he is also called “Scarf-rio.”
The video also featured a comment from a netizen who said he had known Mr. A for a long time. The commenter claimed Mr. A had worked at the market since he was a teenager, writing, “This guy’s a seasoned veteran who’s been in business since he was 19.”
The commenter went on to write, “There are lots of comments saying he’s handsome, but this is a face worn down by all the hardship. He was really handsome back in the day.” More than 500 people reportedly reacted to the comment.
Another netizen wrote, “Don’t get worn out just because there are so many customers. That job is really tough to begin with,” hoping Mr. A wouldn’t be exhausted by the sudden increase in visitors.
The account of a netizen who had visited the shop even before Mr. A became famous was also shared. According to the netizen, Mr. A responded warmly, joking even with customers who had bought something: “Don’t leave yet; stay a little longer. Hang out, then go. Don’t you have anything to do when you get home?”
Mr. A previously gained popularity by seeming to discourage customers from buying things, telling them, “You’re overspending right now” and “Don’t spend your money.” The video spread on social media (SNS), making him well known, and he recently appeared on SBS’s Master of Living.
It also became known that Mr. A was born in 1983, the same year as broadcaster Jang Sung-kyu. Jang initially called Mr. A “hyung,” but after learning from netizens that they were the same age, he apologized, saying, “I was mistaken. Sorry, my friend.”
Recently, visitors hoping to see Mr. A flocked to the front of the shop, creating safety concerns. In response, Mr. A hired three private security guards at his own expense on the 6th. When there were too many visitors, he sometimes closed early or temporarily shut the shop.
A netizen who identified themselves as Mr. A’s high school classmate also recently posted a message of support, writing, “He’s such a good person that all his high school classmates are rooting for him. Proud of him.”


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter