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A mobile worker shelter at Jonggak Station in Seoul. Reporter Lee Hojun
seoul’s subway stations are undergoing a change, evolving beyond transportation hubs into community spaces offering respite and unique experiences for commuters and the city’s growing mobile workforce.The Seoul Metropolitan Government is pioneering initiatives to repurpose underutilized areas within stations, providing essential services and cultural attractions.
This shift addresses the needs of Seoul’s increasing number of “mobile workers”-individuals whose jobs lack fixed locations-and aims to revitalize public spaces. The initiative not only offers practical support to this workforce but also seeks to redefine the role of subway stations as dynamic centers for culture and daily life.As of August 30, 2025, these efforts are demonstrating important early success, with thousands already utilizing the new facilities.
Launched in February 2025, mobile worker shelters have quickly become popular. The shelter at Jonggak Station, on Line 1, provides a comfortable environment for rest, complete with seating, tables, a refrigerator stocked with bottled water, and complimentary coffee and tea. Crucially, the shelters also offer charging stations for mobile devices. Between February and July 2025, the Jonggak station shelter served 5,109 users, while the Sadang Station location welcomed 1,759 visitors.
Recognizing the diverse needs of its users, a women-only shelter is available at Sadang Station, ensuring a safe and comfortable space for female mobile workers.City officials report a commitment to maintaining these facilities, responding promptly to any equipment malfunctions or supply shortages.
Beyond worker support, Seoul is experimenting with innovative collaborations to activate station spaces. Barnes Station Sindang, a 3075㎡ (approximately 900 pyeong) area at the intersection of Line 2 and Line 6, was created in partnership with fashion brand Barnes. This space has hosted musician performances, skateboarding demonstrations, and workshops.
From September 2nd to September 7th, 2025, Sindang Station will host “SECOND SKIN: Fashion, AI, and Light,” an experiential fashion exhibition. The exhibition will feature three areas combining light and sound, allowing visitors to experience clothing patterns projected onto their bodies using artificial intelligence (AI). A unique “Soundscape” blending street sounds from Dongdaemun and Sindang, subway mechanical noises, and techno music will also be available.
Baekho,president of the Seoul Transportation Corporation,articulated the vision behind these changes,stating,”The subway station is no longer a place to sell tickets,but a place to discover personal tastes,values,and lifestyles,and to help restore daily life by awakening dull senses.”
