The Role of Gay and the Emergence of Gay-led Gentrification in Commercialization in the Urban Area

As countries worldwide promote the human rights of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender), the support for LGBT community is steadily grown, reflecting societal shift on views on LGBT. Moreover, the purchasing power of LGBT has continuously increased, and even considered as a “dream market.” However, public attitude toward LGBT remains not welcome in South Korea. Itaewon, where embraces the gay district, has experienced a growing number of bars, restaurants, and clubs. The major objectives of the research is: 1) What is the role of gay and gay space, influencing the nearby business and the neighborhood as a whole? 2) Is gay community losing its space (gay-led gentrification)? Through literature review, archives of historical and current newspapers and publications, visual analysis through GIS, in-depth interviews, and ethnographical observations, it is found that gay bring commercial activities with “hip” atmosphere and inevitably lead local gentrification. In other words, when the gay expand commercial activities, the rent as well as land price rise, but the gay community is displaced, evidencing the gay-led gentrification. This research is meaningful as the study on the role of gay community in commercialized urban area and the gay-led gentrification has not been conducted in South Korea. As the society begins to accept its identity and its economy power increases, it is crucial to acknowledge their influence in the space.