Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mithridates]

Let's write down all the subway tips we know. Here are some that I know:

Sadang Station: If you're transferring from line 2 to line 4 (ie, south to Sanbon, Ansan etc.) the second or third car from the back will put you right in front of the stairs that lead down to line 4, and enable you to beat the crowd.

(I think that was the right place. Maybe another car up? Haven't taken that route in a while)

Again for Sadang Station: When coming in from the south on line 4 and transferring to the line 2, ride on the very last car and you will be right in front of the stairs that lead up.

Cheongdam Station: The longest station in the whole system - if your walking route runs parallel to the station you can go underground and walk a whole block or two if it's raining, snowing or super hot.

[mithridates]

Do you all own cars?

[Juregen]

[Junior]

Make sure the geezer behind the glass is busy with something before you jump the turnstile.

[Return Jones]

Tip: Beep your transit card getting off the bus before and after riding the subway. Saves you a few dozen won. Should save you a few hundred won over the course of a few years.

Tip: Roll up your pants and tuck in your shoelaces before entering the bathrooms. This applies to all stations.

Tip: You get yelled at by subway staff if you stay on the train when everyone is supposed to clear out. This practice of kicking everyone off of full trains, en route to his or her destination, takes place often at Sindorim, Sadang, and Gupabal. No word yet on what this accomplishes expect make the next train burst at the seams.

Did you know? You can walk underground all the way from Euljiro 1-ga to Dongdaemun Stadium Station. Alternately, I guess you could just stay on the train.

[mithridates]

[Return Jones]

[RACETRAITOR]

I have a few tips like this too. If you're transferring from the green line at Hapjeong onto the brown line, be at the south end of the train (the back if you just crossed the river or the front if you're coming from downtown).

If you're transferring at the Express Bus Terminal from the far underground line to the orange line, be at roughly door 3-3.

If you're transferring at Samgakji from the blue line, be at the front of the train if you're heading north or the back of the train if you're heading south.

If at any time you're in a crowded station waiting for a train, stand at the part of the platform that's the narrowest (usually in front of stairs, pillars, etc). That's where the shortest lines form.

[Thunndarr]

Here's a tip on whether to haul ass if you aren't on the platform yet (sadly, only applicable for line 4)

If you're headed to Oido or Ansan, the bell will be a slower sort of "ring ring ring ring ring."

If you're headed in the Danggogae direction it will be a nonstop "ringringringringring."

Perhaps not the best description in the world, but you'll know what I'm talking about when you hear it.

[heydelores]

If you're at Yongsan Station and need to get to Line 4, exit the station and walk the couple blocks to Sinyongsan Station, rather than taking the subway to Ichon and transferring there. It'll save you about 20 minutes when it's not rush hour.

[blaseblasphemener]

Get a veggie sub, and load up on veggies. It's healthier, and cheaper. It worked for Jared, it can work for you.

[SuperHero]

[periwinkle]

If some of you are too cold because the air is blasting, there are specific cars that have writing on the windows (in Hangul, of course) which mention that they aren't as icy cool as the others. The cars are meant for young children and old people that can't tolerate some of the more frigid compartments, but they are available to everyone. I don't remember exactly what they say, something about nan bang, naeng bang....

Best tip ever: get on the last car, and you are more likely to get a seat. Most people don't want to walk all the way down to the end of the platform, hence the higher likelihood of procuring a seat.

Safety tip: if someone is bothering you, just move. It's not worth it to start something, and it's not worth it to stand your ground, if you will, by remaining in your seat. Move somewhere else- it's a lot less stressful.

[chronicpride]

[mindmetoo]

Line 7, the little electronic sign board actually shows you where the subway train is. You'll notice a little cartoon subway. It appears when the train is two stations away and then shows you the progress. I always thought that little cartoon was just there to remind drunk Koreans they were in a subway station.





I avoid getting on at doors x-1 and doors x-4. You're most likely to encounter pushy old people trying to shove you out of the way so they can get to their scared seat.