[First Ride Life] ① Bus 6411 'Neighbor' Awakening Gangnam

From Guro to Gangnam, Two Dawn First Trains Depart Simultaneously
Bus 6411 Passengers, They Light Up the Dawn at Gangnam Building

Editor's NoteThere are people who open the story of life by breathing the early morning air every day. At a time when many are still asleep, these are the people who start their day by taking the first train. Those who fill the warmth of the early morning bus, the busy dawn delivery drivers delivering countless goods, and the youth of Noryangjin who have just begun to sketch the blueprint of their lives. Each has a different life story and a different path to take, but they share the commonality of seeking a spark of hope in their hard lives. Let’s dive into their stories as they vigorously open their 'First Train Life' in 2023.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] "The building cleaners mainly take the first train at dawn, but since there are so many passengers, two buses depart together."

At 3:40 a.m. on the 27th of last month, in the deep darkness of dawn, the garage of bus number 6411 was busy preparing for the first bus operation. Bus drivers Kim Woo-seok (63) and Kim Jung-ho (54) were in charge of the first bus that day. They started preparing for operation in a familiar manner at the garage office. Before operating, the bus drivers must undergo a breathalyzer test, and only if there are no issues can they operate. Preparing the fare box for passenger convenience is also a basic requirement.

Although it might seem that only one bus operates the first run at dawn, bus number 6411 is characterized by two buses operating simultaneously. The 6411 bus runs round-trip from Guro-gu Street Park to Gaepo-dong in Gangnam-gu. It is not just one of the many buses operating in Seoul. It is a bus famous enough to have appeared in a movie.

The story dates back to the 2012 acceptance speech of the late Roh Hoe-chan, former leader of the Justice Party. "The people who ride this bus wake up at 3 a.m. and by 5:30 a.m., they have to be at their workplaces in the buildings of Gangnam."

At around 3:40 AM on December 27, 2022, bus number 6411 departing from the street park in Guro-gu, Seoul, is waiting at the garage. Photo by Yoon Seulgi seul97@

"In fact, until now, we have been almost like a transparent party to these people (6411 bus passengers). Although politicians raise their voices loudly, when these people need us, when they are within reach, we were not there." Roh Hoe-chan’s self-reflection questions what our politics are doing and where it is heading. Thus, bus number 6411 became a symbol representing the lives of ordinary people.

Kim Woo-seok, who has 12 years of bus driving experience, has been working here for three years. His daily routine is to pick up building cleaners traveling between Guro and Gangnam and get them to their destinations. While the busiest commuting hours for typical office workers are around 7 to 8 a.m., the busiest time for the 6411 bus, which many use to go to distant Gangnam buildings, is between 4 and 5 a.m.

When the bus arrived at the first stop, 3 to 4 passengers boarded. Mr. Bang (69), who works cleaning in Gangnam, deliberately walks 2 to 3 stops to board the bus at the starting point of the route. Bang said, "Standing for about an hour is hard, so I walk to the garage stop," adding, "At first, walking the dawn streets was scary, but I got used to it and it’s manageable."

At around 3:40 a.m. on December 27, 2022, bus number 6411, departing from the street park in Guro-gu, Seoul, was waiting at the garage. The early morning temperature recorded that day was minus 4 degrees Celsius. Photo by Yoon Seulgi seul97@

Bang’s reason for taking the bus every dawn is simple. "I earn and spend my own pocket money, give pocket money to my grandchildren... I like that." His smile made the hardships of dawn life fade away. The passengers of bus 6411 board at the same time every day and get off in similar areas (around Gangnam), making them neighbors connected by the bus.

Even without asking about their work or destination, they understand each other’s situations through their eyes. When a neighbor who used to be seen daily on the bus suddenly disappears, they worry if there might be health issues. Considering the tough nature of Seoul’s social atmosphere, such concern for others is not a common sight. Bus 6411 opens the dawn every day, confirming that society is still a livable space.

For both the bus drivers and passengers, dawn life has become a part of their existence. Kim Woo-seok said, "To drive the dawn bus, I have to leave by 3 a.m. These days, the weather is chilly, so it’s tough to go to work early, but since it’s my main job, it’s okay (laughs)."

Bang also said, "It’s not very hard. Getting to work early and working itself is life." Mr. Lee Gi-sul (68), who has taken the first 6411 bus for over 20 years, also said, "It’s become a habit, so it’s not hard."

At around 5:30 a.m. on December 27, 2022, Choi (64), who works as a cleaning laborer at a company in Dogok-dong, is hurrying to work. Photo by Seulgi Yoon seul97@

The reason 6411 bus passengers start their day earlier than others is to finish cleaning buildings before office workers arrive. Their task is to maintain cleanliness throughout the company, including restrooms, offices, elevators, and hallways. Mr. Choi (64), who cleans at a company in Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, said, "Cleaning is something that even if you do it diligently, it’s not very noticeable, but if you don’t do it, it becomes very obvious."

Bang said he starts work at 5:30 a.m. "Employees feel uncomfortable when I clean, and it’s not easy to work when employees are around, so I come early to work," he explained. Choi’s working hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. He got off about an hour and a half after boarding the 6411 bus.

After changing into his work clothes, Choi headed first to the women’s restroom on the 13th floor. He took a blue rubber bin used as a cleaning trash can and started his work by emptying the trash bins in each stall. His cleaning area includes the entire 13th floor and the men’s and women’s restrooms on the 10th floor.

At around 5:40 a.m. on December 27, 2022, cleaning worker Mr. Choi (58) is emptying the trash bin in the restroom. Photo by Seulgi Yoon seul97@

Choi said, "I don’t know the exact floor area, but it’s about 100 pyeong (approximately 3,300 square feet). Excluding employees working remotely or on leave, about 50 employees come to work every day."

To avoid dulling his hands, Choi wiped dust with his bare hands. Although the trash mixed with beverage and food waste smelled bad, he didn’t mind. Choi repeated sweeping, wiping, emptying, and refilling tasks.

He cleaned three sinks on the 13th floor, two executive offices with restrooms, and emptied over 70 employees’ personal trash bins. He wiped the sinks and toilets in the men’s and women’s restrooms on the 13th and 10th floors with a hand cloth and mopped the floors. The previously messy trash bins were emptied cleanly, and the office was tidied up.

Choi finished his morning work around 7:40 a.m. As he finished cleaning, office employees began arriving one by one. When Choi returned to the break room to rest, the morning sunlight was shining through the window. The New Year’s wish of ordinary people is always health. Choi’s New Year’s wish is no different.

"I don’t wish for anything else. Just that my children and grandchildren stay healthy, that’s all."