"Riding the Subway Without Pants Today"... The Unusual Annual Event Held Every January

Started in New York, Now Held in Over 60 Cities Worldwide
Amid Controversy, Organizers Say "It's All for Fun"
Controversial in Asia, Yet to Be Held in South Korea

The unusual performance event "No Pants Subway Ride," held every January in major cities around the world, has become a hot topic. Participants board the subway without pants, wearing only their underwear, but the principle is to go about their usual routines-reading books or checking their phones-as if nothing is out of the ordinary. On January 11 (local time), the BBC reported that the annual "No Trousers Tube Ride" took place in London, England. On this day, many citizens caught attention by boarding the subway in their underwear, without wearing pants.

The unique annual event "No Trousers Tube Ride" held in London, England, saw citizens boarding the subway wearing only their underwear. Photo by AP Yonhap News

This event began in 2002 in New York City as a small prank. The impromptu performance quickly spread by word of mouth, and it has now established itself as an annual event with thousands of participants in over 60 cities worldwide, including New York, London, Toronto, and Prague. In London, England, it is held under the name "No Trousers Tube Ride" on major lines such as the Elizabeth Line.

The rules are simple: use public transportation without wearing pants. However, wearing underwear is mandatory. Other clothing items such as coats, scarves, and gloves can be worn freely. Most importantly, participants are expected not to act self-conscious about not wearing pants. They must behave like ordinary commuters, unconcerned with the attention they might attract. The organizers emphasize that the only reason for the event is fun. Rather than conveying a social message or political statement, the purpose is humor and a sense of liberation by playfully bending everyday rules. In fact, participants describe it as "a prank that brings laughter" and "an event that breaks the monotony of winter."

Meanwhile, the "no pants" performance has not been without controversy. In 2006, during the New York event, some participants were arrested on charges of public indecency, sparking debate. However, the court ruled that simply not wearing pants while wearing underwear is not illegal, and the event has since been recognized as a legitimate performance.

The event, which was an impromptu performance, quickly spread by word of mouth and has now established itself as an annual event with thousands of participants in over 60 cities worldwide, including New York, London, Toronto, and Prague. AP Yonhap News

Regardless of the legal ruling, there are citizens who feel uncomfortable with such exposure in public places, so debates for and against the event recur every year. Reactions also differ by country. In Western countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, the event is generally accepted as a festival in a relatively tolerant atmosphere. However, in some European countries, concerns about disrupting public order have led to restrictions on locations and routes.

In Asia, there have been small-scale events in places like China, Hong Kong, and Japan, but controversy has been more pronounced due to cultural attitudes and norms regarding public spaces. The event has not yet been officially held in South Korea. Experts point out that, in South Korea, standards regarding exposure in public places are relatively strict, so legal and social discussions would need to come first. At the same time, some note that the key issue is how the event’s intent-as a performance and source of humor rather than something provocative-will be received.