by Yun Dongju
Published 16 Mar.2026 11:00(KST)
Yes, they are still alive. As of 2023, around 25,000 units remain in operation nationwide. Those who once hurried with coins in hand to respond to a pager call are now middle-aged and only look at their smartphones. There was a time when a single phone card could make you feel secure, and public payphones were steadfast friends who always listened to our urgent voices. Even as the very generation that once relied on them has turned away indifferently, the old receivers quietly hold their place, evoking a bittersweet and profound sense of nostalgia. (At Seoul Station)
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