Seoul Subway, More Than Double Increase in Filming Support Compared to Previous Year

Filming Every Other Day Due to COVID-19 Recovery

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Seoul Metro announced on the 18th that subway spaces are regaining popularity as filming locations for movies and dramas. Last year, a total of 216 filming supports were provided, more than double compared to 66 cases in 2020 and 86 cases in 2021, which had slowed down due to COVID-19. This means that filming is taking place somewhere in the subway station more than once every two days.

In citizens' daily lives, subway spaces are indispensable backgrounds in dramas and movies. Seoul Subway was one of the main settings in last year's most popular works, such as "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and "The Youngest Son of a Chaebol Family."

Unlike bright spaces, there are also famous filming locations with a dark, dystopian atmosphere. These include the "Ghost Platform" at Sinseoldong Station on Line 2 and the unused space at Yeongdeungpo Market Station on Line 5. Both spaces were completed as part of past urban railway plans but are currently unused due to the cancellation of those plans. Due to their unique atmosphere with exposed, raw concrete, these spaces are highly suitable for expressing post-apocalyptic and dystopian backgrounds, which are major themes in recent dramas and movies, and many filming applications are received.

Shindap Station, a branch line of Line 2, is also gaining attention as a new filming location. A garden where trees and flowers are planted has been created next to the station platform, allowing for walking and relaxation, and as an aboveground station, it offers a different feel from typical underground subways. It is possible to depict scenes of park strolls and subway use, reflecting citizens' daily lives.

Wide spaces also attract attention for filming due to the large number of personnel and equipment involved. This is why Sports Complex Station, which has a spacious concourse, is gaining attention as a filming location. JTBC’s "The Youngest Son of a Chaebol Family," the hottest work of 2022, was also set at Sports Complex Station, and the movie "Dream," scheduled for release this year, was filmed there as well.

For commercial filming, applications must be made through the Seoul Film Commission, a location support agency within Seoul city, and a prescribed facility usage fee must be paid. Filming for public interest purposes can be applied for directly through the Seoul Metro website. Considering the inconvenience to subway users, filming without prior approval is prohibited.

Kim Jeonghwan, head of public relations at Seoul Metro, said, "We hope that Seoul Subway, which is world-class and featured in globally popular K-content, can play a role in enhancing the city brand." However, he added, "Since the subway is a space for citizens, we ask that filming be conducted while strictly adhering to the rules that must be observed."