Lying Down and Putting on Makeup... Middle School Girls Using Line 5 Like Their Own Room

Disruptive Behavior by Female Middle School Students on Subway Line 5
"Blocking Passenger Boarding... Acted Like It Was Their Own Living Room"

A video showing female middle school students blocking the entrance inside a Seoul Subway Line 5 train, obstructing passengers from boarding and sitting on the floor while putting on makeup, has sparked controversy.

On the 30th, a netizen identified as A shared a video filmed on Seoul Subway Line 5 through social media (SNS). The video garnered nearly 3 million views within a day.

The video shows five female students, estimated to be in their teens, sitting together on the floor right in front of the subway entrance, chatting. The students paid no attention to the surrounding gazes as they braided their hair and played or touched up their makeup. They also posed for photos, and some even lay down on the floor, obstructing the passage of other passengers.

A said that the female students, who appeared to be middle schoolers, continued this behavior for over 20 minutes from the moment they boarded. Because of this, passengers trying to get off at Janghanpyeong Station had to sidestep the students to get through. A added, "They moved aside slightly," and commented, "They look very comfortable, as if it’s their own living room."

Earlier in September, a video caused controversy showing a middle school girl, B, wearing a gym uniform spraying lens cleaning solution on a seat inside a train heading toward Banghwa Station on Seoul Subway Line 5.

C, who posted the photo, asked B to stop the behavior, but B reportedly laughed loudly while pointing the camera at C.

In an apology statement, B said, "I deeply regret loudly making noise in a public place and spraying lens cleaning solution on seats used by many people," and added, "I wasn’t sure how to apologize for taking photos of C and mocking with laughter, so I sent an apology via email. I sincerely reflect on my actions."

B’s mother also expressed remorse, saying, "My child was wrong a hundred times over, and I worried that this might be seen as an excuse, but after much consideration, I am leaving this message," and added, "I know that the biggest fault lies with me. I plan to visit the station to apologize," reiterating her sincere apologies.