When I immigrated to the U.S. in 1999 and settled in LA's Koreatown, expenses like rent and transportation were much more manageable than they are now.

On weekend evenings, after dining with friends, we would enjoy a cup of coffee and drive lightly on the 101 Freeway towards a friend's house in the Valley.

At that time, the 101 was mostly clear without much traffic, and I vividly remember heading to the Valley while listening to music on the radio.

However, in 2025, the current 101 Freeway is congested day and night.

Especially in the section heading towards the Valley from downtown, passing through Hollywood and Sherman Oaks, it feels almost completely stopped. During rush hour, it's a given, and even on weekends, we find ourselves driving at a 'turtle's pace' on the highway.

What used to be a 20-minute drive now takes two to three times longer on the same route.

People say LA traffic has always been bad, but that's only half true. Until the early 2000s, traffic was nowhere near this level.

Back then, once rush hour ended, the roads were much clearer, and after 9 PM, it was truly a 'freeway' in every sense, with open roads that made driving enjoyable. But now, even after 11 PM, cars are still lined up. It's often surprising to see where all these cars are coming from and where they are going.

It seems that the population in LA has increased, and the number of vehicles has surged. Especially with areas like North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Studio City, and Encino becoming popular residential spots, traffic has worsened.

In the past, the Valley had a somewhat quiet and leisurely image, but now it has become as crowded as the heart of LA. Moreover, with delivery vehicles, rideshare cars, and trucks added to the mix, the roads are always at capacity.

On one hand, you can feel the city's growth and vibrancy. New buildings are rising around the 101 Freeway, and there are more restaurants and clubs with flashing neon signs. But with that vibrancy comes increased stress. Perhaps that's why these days, LA residents calculate 'how congested it is' before 'which route to take.'

Nevertheless, the affection for the 101 Freeway remains. Passing by the Hollywood Bowl, the night view is still stunning.

Sometimes I think about how wonderful it would be to drive on the old 101 again. The leisurely breeze blowing through the car window, the 90s pop songs playing on the radio... all of that has now become a memory.