[citation needed] During the Joseon period, the area was called Myŏngnyebang (명례방; 明禮坊), Myŏngnyebanggol (명례방골), or Chonghyŏn (종현; 鍾峴).

[5] After the Korean War and into the 1960s, the economy blossomed and the financial sector from Namdaemun-ro and Euljiro gradually expanded into Myeongdong.

[1] Besides being a major commercial and financial district, Myeongdong has been a popular location for political demonstrations and protests, especially during the turbulent years of the 1980s and 1990s.

[5] As of March 2000, Myeongdong has been designated as a special Tourism Promotion Area and is one of the stops on the official Seoul City Bus tour's main route.

[8] Except for early morning and late night delivery hours, the main street and most of the alleys are blocked off for pedestrians to roam freely without being hindered by traffic.

[10] Myeongdong is one of Seoul's main shopping districts featuring mid-to-high priced retail stores and international brand outlets, including Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren, H&M, Zara, Forever 21, Bulgari and Louis Vuitton, as well as Korean cosmetics brands such as Nature Republic, Missha, The Face Shop and Skin Food.

[17] It is usually held twice a year: from the end of March to the middle of April in spring, and the month of September in autumn.