Today Gukje Market spans 6 zones, 12 buildings, 24 spaces and countless vendors.

[2] The market now sells a diverse array of goods, particularly machinery tools, kitchenware, and clothing.

[5] The market was famously depicted in the 2014 film of the same Korean name (English title Ode to My Father).

Busan (Pusan) became the interim capital (18AUG1950-27OCT1950 & 4JAN1951-15AUG1953) and experienced an astounding mass immigration.

During this time, an influx of U.S. soldiers arrived in response to the U.S. Army constructing a military complex in the area, thus increasing need for trade and boosting the market's business and clientele.

Of particular popularity was imported or foreign goods (particularly from the U.S. Army), which were generally forbidden for Koreans to own, let alone sell.

At the time, Busan had a significant number of Korean War refugees who lived in highly flammable shantytowns.

The fire destroyed around 1,600 structures, caused damages of around 1 trillion won, and displaced 22,500 people from 6,800 households.

[12] The market, which had been extremely large and bustling, didn't regain its former size and status after the 1953 fire, especially as the Korean War was cooling down and people were returning home.

In 2015 Gukje Market participated in the Global Luxury Mark Promotion Project.

The film centers around a family who owns a shop in the market ("Kkotbunine"),[7] and their experience from the Korean War until the present day.