Following K-pop traces across Seoul: Part I
Weekend K-pop Pilgrimage - Duck Herald's Hansel and Gretel-ing
Living in Korea, the epicenter of all things K-pop, is like having a backstage pass to a non-stop party! It's a bit like being in Los Angeles, where you can hop around Universal Studios and Walk of Fame whenever you feel like it. And guess what? Korea has nailed it with their awesome public transportation system! Seriously, who needs a car? The subways, buses, and taxis have got your back, zipping you around to all the cool spots in no time. So, in today's episode, Duck Herald is on a mission to test this claim and add a little extra sweetness to the adventure by following K-pop breadcrumbs scattered across the vibrant city of Seoul.
Ready for the ride? Let's go!
Public Transportation in Seoul
Before we dive into this epic journey, let's have a quick chat about Korea's fantastic public transportation scene. Buses and subways are like the rockstars of getting around here. They're the go-to mode of transportation for most people. For today, we’re only go to focus on the subway system (we've got another session for buses in the near future). Now, when we talk about the main subway hub, we're shining the spotlight on Seoul's extensive network. Picture this: not all subways are doing the underground shuffle, but a good bunch of them sure are. We're looking at 22 metro lines spread out across the Seoul Capital Area, forming an extremely intricate web that connects Seoul to Incheon and Gyeonggi province. It's like as if Seoul is Manhattan, and Incheon and Gyeonggi are the cool neighbors in New Jersey and Brooklyn.
Now, here's a fun fact for you: Korea hopped on the metro train pretty early. Line 1, the OG of Korean metro lines, kicked off its service on August 15, 1974, making Korea the 22nd country to roll out a public metro system.1 Back in the '70s, South Korea was experiencing a crazy economic growth spurt, and as cities got busier, Seoul needed to sort out its traffic chaos. People were flocking to the city for office jobs and metro lines started popping up like mushrooms after the rain. The result? A super-efficient way for Seoulites to zip around the city hassle-free! Fast forward to today, and the metro magic isn't limited to just Seoul. Korea has spread the subway love to four other vibrant cities: Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju. It's like they're saying, "Why should the capital have all the fun?" And wait, there's more on the horizon! The Korean government is cooking up some exciting plans in collaboration with local governors. The grand entrance of new metro lines called GTX in 2025. It's like they're adding extra levels to the subway game, making it even more convenient for all of us urban explorers. The future of Korean public transportation? It's looking faster, sleeker, and oh-so-connected!
Ready, Get Set, Go!
As mentioned earlier, we are going to introduce what it's like to use the public transportation system in Seoul by taking an adventure. We are going to start at a metro station far from the Seoul area and visit the top 4 entertainment companies–JYP, SM, HYBE, and YG–by just using the subway. Here’s our plan. We’ve mapped out our plan for you. We're about to embark on a Seoul subway adventure like no other. Our mission? To journey from a metro station way out yonder to the glittering headquarters of the top four entertainment powerhouses – JYP, SM, HYBE, and YG. And the best part? We're doing it all using the trusty subway system. Throughout this subway odyssey, you'll not only visit the homes of the biggest names in K-pop but also soak in the vibrant energy of Seoul's public transportation system. We’ve mapped out our plans for you like the image below.
Seoul Subway 101
Let's kick off our subway adventure! Here's a breakdown of three simple steps to navigate Seoul’s metro system.
1. Purchase Your Metro Card: Head over to the nearest subway station or pop into any convenient store (they're practically on every street corner!). Grab yourself a shiny T-money card.
2. Charge It Up: You can do this at subway kiosks within the station or swing by one of those omnipresent convenient stores. Top up your card with the amount you think will fuel your subway adventures.
3. Place and Pay: Place your loaded T-money card on the top of the turnstile's card reader. The machine will display your remaining balance and how much it just charged you.
It's as simple as that – purchase, charge, place, and conquer. You now have got the rhythm of your T-money card down, but what about those moments when you need to switch lines or modes of transportation? If your journey involves changing subway lines, follow the signs within the station. They'll guide you to the platform of your next line, and you won't even need to exit the station. During this switch, you will be able to spot another turnstile. Here, you will apply the same methods mentioned earlier (place and pay). Once you reach your final destination, it will require your last “Place and Pay.” And that’s it!
From Yeongjong Station to JYP (1 Hour 40 minutes)
Let the K-pop pilgrimage begin! Our journey kicks off from a subway station that is close to Incheon International Airport – the hub of international arrivals. First stop on our K-pop map? The legendary JYP Entertainment! Located in the Gangdong district, our subway voyage takes us to the Olympic Park Station (Line 5 & 9), the gateway to JYP's realm. How did we navigate this maze of Seoul's subway system? We turned to our dear Naver Map app, the go-to guide for navigating the bustling streets and subway lines of Seoul. It's like our digital compass, steering us through the city's rhythmic beats.
① From Yeongjong Station (Airport Express Line) to Gongdeok (Line 5)
② Transfer lines at Gongdeok & Arrive at Olympic Park Station (Line 5 & 9)
③ Walk 18 minutes, just a Kpop beat away from JYP Entertainment.
And there you have it – our Kpop adventure's first leg is complete!
From JYP(Olympic Park Station) to SM (25 minutes)
Awesome, let's keep this K-pop train rolling to our next stop – SM Entertainment! Here's your personalized subway roadmap to get you from JYP to the SM Entertainment headquarters at Seoul-forest Station.
① Departure Point: Olympic Park Station (Line 5 & 9)
② First Transfer: Sunjungreung Station (Line 9 & Bundang)
③ Final Destination: Seoul-forest Station (Line Bundang)
④ Walk 10 seconds from the exit
Here's a fascinating tidbit about Seoul subway stations that adds a unique layer to the commuting experience. While not every station owns a second name, some, like the one we just arrived at – Seoul-forest Station – go beyond the ordinary. Here, it's not just Seoul-forest Station; it carries the additional moniker of "Seoul-forest Station (SM Town)." In a twist that turns subway stations into advertising spaces, companies have the opportunity to bid and auction for the chance to brand a station. This isn't your typical banner; think more along the lines of Times Square Station (cue the Applebees sign). In the case of Seoul-forest Station, SM successfully clinched the auction, gracing the station with its renowned brand name, "SMTown." So, when you step off the train, you're not just at a transportation hub; you're entering the world of SM Town, and the station itself becomes a stage where the city's energy and entertainment culture converge.
Our trip will continue in our next episode, so stay buckled!
“Rapid Transit in South Korea.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_transit_in_South_Korea/.