By Honorary Reporter Laura Lopez Velazquez from Mexico

Photo = Laura Lopez Velazquez, Netflix

All subway stations in Seoul display maps of their surroundings that often include paintings, monuments and distinctive decorations that represent their respective locations. For example, Chungmuro Station has snapshots and caricatures of famous entertainment celebrities on its walls given the area's fame as the birthplace of Korean cinema.

Seoul Station has a discount mart, stores and restaurants but also the old Seoul Station building, which was used for nearly a century and is now the landmark Culture Station Seoul 284.

Express Bus Terminal Station has Hangeul painted on the stairs. When walking on each step, it sounds like a different note, something that made my day. And Anguk Station has a wall with poems and paintings on colorful tiles.

Itaewon Station, where many young people and foreign nationals frequent, is an ideal place to promote products and dramas. For example, the hit series "Squid Game" received a colorful pop-up exhibition there. At Samseong Station, the supernatural drama "Hellbound" was also promoted through replicas of the monsters appearing in the series placed at Seoul COEX Plaza.

Something unique to Korea's subway stations are the many signs made by fans to mark a celebrity's birthday. Also, automatic teller machines, small convenience stores, lockers, food vending machines and stalls, souvenirs and other useful items are available there.

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.