Increased Subway Filming Demand After Social Distancing Lifted... 90 Cases This Year, Expected to Double Compared to Last Year

Recovery Trend as a Filming Location for Movies and Dramas

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul Metro announced on the 24th that filming support for movies and dramas recorded 90 cases as of June this year, showing a recovery trend.

The subway is closely connected to citizens' daily lives. As such, it has often appeared as a filming location for movies and dramas. In 2019, there were 336 cases, making it a popular filming site with almost one shoot per day, but the number sharply dropped to 66 in 2020 when social distancing measures were fully implemented due to the spread of COVID-19.

As part of quarantine measures due to COVID-19, the Metro had to temporarily suspend cooperation for film shoots from February 2020. Considering the latent demand for subway filming, limited relaxation began in June last year, allowing filming after business hours. From October 2021, restrictions on filming during operating hours were fully lifted, but quarantine measures such as mask-wearing and temperature checks must be strictly followed.

The number of subway filming cases is showing a strong recovery, mainly centered on dramas. As of June 2022, 90 filming cases have already been conducted. This surpasses the total number of filming cases for the entire previous year and is expected to increase further.

The location with the most filming in the first half of this year among facilities operated by the Metro was Noksapyeong Station on Line 6, with 7 cases. Due to its underground art garden and unique, beautiful structure that lets sunlight in, it has been well received as a venue for various corporate advertisements. Following that, World Cup Stadium Station on Line 6 (4 cases) and Seongsu Station on Line 2 (3 cases) also became popular filming spots. World Cup Stadium Station, equipped with a large concourse and platforms, was used as a location for scenes showing the main characters commuting by subway.

Sinseoldong Idle Platform

The most well-known subway music video and drama filming location in Seoul is the ‘Ghost Platform’ located at Sinseol-dong Station on Line 2. The old subway station nameplate and yellow safety line remain intact, creating a unique atmosphere that reveals traces of time, attracting many filming applications. The Sinseol-dong Station Ghost Platform was originally planned as an operational section during the design of Line 5. The structure was built in advance during the construction of Line 1 in 1974, but the plan was later changed, leaving the space unused. Now, it is a space where only trains enter without passengers, heading to the train depot.

There is also a similar space at Sindang Station. Structures were built in advance for transfers to other lines, but plans were later changed, leaving these areas unused. These raw, unique spaces made of concrete and brick are frequently used as filming locations for dramas and movies.

The Metro provides guidance on filming procedures through the 'Citizen Participation → Facility Filming' information page on its website. To minimize inconvenience to subway users, unauthorized filming is prohibited. Kim Jeong-hwan, head of the Seoul Metro Public Relations Office, said, “Since the subway is a space that opens and closes citizens’ daily lives, many filming support applications are received,” adding, “We hope that the image of the world’s best-rated K-subway shown through K-content will further elevate South Korea’s status.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.