When Kim Yu-ri came back from her monthlong European trip last summer, the first thing that welcomed her was clean, speedy and comfortable subways.

“I still cannot forget the combination of garbage and pee wafting up through the subway grates in Paris,” said Kim, adding she hadn’t realized how good Korean subways were.

Besides the Korean subway’s cleanliness and reasonable cost, it is also evolving from simply being a place for transportation to one of multipurpose cultural venues.

At Subway Line No. 5 Gwanghwamun Station, subways riders can get free coffee and books every first Friday morning of the month as part of an event host by Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corp. to spread reading culture among commuters. One of the nation’s largest bookstores, Kyobo Bookstore located right outside Gwanghwamun Station, supports the event.
At Subway Line No. 1 Jonggak Station, where nearby large bookstore Youngpoong Bookstore can be found adjacent to subway exits, large wide wooden stairs that can also be used as seats are available for book readers.

“As people these days tend to pin their eyes to their smartphones, rather than on a book, we will continue to support commuters to read books comfortably while riding the subway,” said managing director Kim Tae-ho from the SMRT.

Subways stations can also become a place for art.

Inside Subway Line No. 3 Gyeongbokgung Station, the Seoul Metro Art Center opened its doors in 2008 in the basement floor.

Divided into two halls, the Art Zone and Festival Zone, about 60 paintings of regular exhibitions are presented inside the Art Zone. In the Festival Zone, the Seoul Metro Culture Festival is held annually.

“The subway is no longer a place only for commuting. It is becoming a cultural and art place that invites people to come and enjoy the arts,” said an official from Seoul Metro.

Besides art galleries, there are performing stages open to public and amateur musicians.

Public performance stages can be found at 11 subways stations in Seoul, including Subway Line No. 4 Isu Station and Subway Line Nos. 2 and 4 Sadang Station.

With a quick registration at the SMRT or Seoul Metro’s website, performers can participate and bring in their instruments.

Along with the shifting definition of subways stations into a cultural venue, Seoul City unveiled a plan in April to develop stations with themes to maximize characteristics of an area.

Subway Line No. 2 Sports Complex Station will be redeveloped into a baseball-themed station. Adjacent to Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Seoul City is in discussions with the Korea Baseball Organization to create baseball-related venues inside the subway station, such as a Korean baseball history hall, star players zone and more.

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)