It seems like the Daehak-ro commercial district in Seoul is dying

It used to be one of the fairly large commercial districts back in the day (25 years ago).
When I was a college student, I used to go on blind dates and group dates here,
and I went on many dates as well.
It's not exactly "old-school" (like Seochon, Seosunra-gil, or Jongno),
it's not "trendy" (like Hongdae, Yeonnam, or Seongsu?),
and it's not "luxurious" (like Cheongdam or Apgujeong?).
I guess that might be why,
but it feels somewhat empty, and there are many vacant storefronts.
Is it just because it's only four o'clock?