"I Should Have Just Taken a Day Off"... Morning Commute in Chaos Amid Monsoon Rains and Strong Winds

At Times, Strong Winds Turned Umbrellas Inside Out
Public Transportation and Bus Stops Packed with Office Workers

"Even with an umbrella, I was soaked in just five minutes. I should have taken a day off."

On the 20th, when the full rainy season began, citizens passing near Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul, hurried their steps while holding umbrellas. 2025.06.20 Photo by Yoon Dongju

Around 8 a.m. on June 20, at Exit 2 of Gangnam Station in Seoul, as the full rainy season set in, citizens hurried their steps under the pouring rain. People wore their backpacks on their fronts and carefully stepped around puddles. Even with umbrellas, their clothes were already damp from the heavy monsoon rain. Some struggled with umbrellas turned inside out by sudden gusts of wind. The nearby bus stop was so crowded with passengers waiting for the bus that there was barely any room to stand.

Park Heonjae (29), an office worker who left home 30 minutes earlier than usual that day, sighed and said, "I almost arrived late." This was because more people than usual were using public transportation such as buses and subways due to the forecast of rain. Park said, "During the rainy season, the subway is hot, humid, and even more crowded, so I feel exhausted before even getting to work," and added, "Honestly, I wish I could at least take a half-day off."

On the morning of the 20th, citizens are waiting for the bus at a bus stop near Gangnam Station in Seoul while it is raining. Photo by Byun Seonjin

Bae (46), an office worker, said, "I commute from Sadang-dong, and there were so many more people than usual that I let one or two trains pass by," adding, "My clothes got wet from other people's umbrellas, and it felt unpleasant." Shin Haerin (33), commuting from Gangseo-gu, said, "Even though it's just the commute, it feels like I've already lived through an entire day," and added, "When I get to the office, drying my clothes will probably come before work."

Kim (42), who commutes from Anyang in Gyeonggi Province, said, "Of all days, I have an important presentation today, but my clothes are wrinkled and my hair is a mess, so I'm already stressed out," and added, "Since the rainy season is just starting, I'm worried about the days ahead."

At Yeouido Station in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, citizens holding umbrellas were lined up to exit the station. Many passengers had wet pant legs, and some had prepared for the heavy rain by wearing rain boots, bringing extra shoes, or carrying raincoats. Choi (27), an office worker, said, "I left home earlier than usual, but it seemed twice as crowded." Kim Seongmin (29) also said, "Maybe because of the rain, there seemed to be more people in the subway than usual," and added, "Since my office is close to home, I don't usually leave this early, but just in case, I left a bit earlier today."

On the 20th, marking the start of the full rainy season, a citizen wearing rain boots is hurrying near Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul. 2025.06.20 Photo by Yoon Dongju

The bus stop outside Yeouido Station was also crowded with office workers waiting for the bus under their umbrellas. Park, in his 50s, who was waiting for a transfer, said, "I usually get off at Singil Station, one stop earlier, and walk the rest of the way for exercise, but today, because of the rain, I rode all the way to Yeouido Station." Lee (37), who started from Gangbuk-gu, said, "It's hot and humid, and now with the rain, it's even more uncomfortable," and added, "I left earlier than usual because I was worried about being late due to the heavy rain, but fortunately, I was able to arrive on time."

At the same time, at the Sejong-daero intersection near Gwanghwamun in Jongno-gu, office workers were also hurrying along with umbrellas. Most were short on hands as they carried both umbrellas and bags. Song (36), an office worker, said, "Carrying both an umbrella and my belongings is a hassle, and my pant legs are all wet and damp," and added, "When I woke up and saw it was raining, I really didn't want to go to work." Lee (25), another office worker, said, "Even with an umbrella, my backpack hanging behind me got completely soaked."

As cars passed on the road, water splashed onto people waiting at the crosswalk, soaking their clothes. Public transportation was filled with humidity and wet umbrellas. Lee (38), an office worker, said, "The bus floor was slippery from the rainwater dripping off umbrellas," and added, "Some people didn't even close their umbrellas, which was unpleasant." Park (49) said that his commute was not much different from usual, but added, "It felt at least twice as humid as normal," and said, "The subway was so full of humidity that it felt stuffy and exhausting."

Office workers crossing the crosswalk with umbrellas at Sejong-daero intersection. Photo by Lee Eunseo.

Meanwhile, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration, a heavy rain advisory was issued for all of Seoul on this day, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government activated Level 1 emergency duty at 6 a.m. Currently, less than 5 mm of rain per hour is falling in Seoul, but from the afternoon into the night, strong rainfall of 30 to 50 mm per hour is forecast. The expected total rainfall is 50 to 100 mm, with some areas likely to receive more than 150 mm. In particular, the heaviest rain is expected from the evening of June 20 through the morning of June 21, so the evening commute is also expected to be congested.