Abstract
Based upon the cases of two conventional market places of Seoul (Chungryangri and Hwanghakdong Market0, this study seeks, in mainly the insiders's view, to find out the micro meaning of conventional market places in the city. In-depth interviews for longer than six months were used to get life histories and daily life records from the merchants. From the result of the in-depth interviews, it was found that, for the insider's view, conventional markets are places where lower class people (or people who leave their farm lands for a city) easily settle down, as shoed in the two families' settlement history in the two conventional markets are very much similar to those in their home places. In conclusion, as represented in these two markets, conventional market places are not only the places that provides jobs to their merchants but also the places where the merchants' lives are continued, developed and reproduced. Based upon the both outsider's and insider's views, it is suggested that the recent modernization and redevelopment process to deal with conventional markets should change its direction and search for other solutions.