Subway Wanderers (1) The New York Times (NYT), a U.S. daily newspaper, reported that elderly individuals in Korea are enjoying free subway rides offered to those aged 65 and older. The NYT highlighted various subway travelers in an article from Seoul titled "For South Korea’s Senior Subway Riders, the Joy Is in the Journey" on September 23rd (local time). In August, Mr. Lee, aged 85, took Line 4 of the subway from his home and reached Soyosan Station, the northern end of Line 1, in about an hour. While near the station, Lee took a short break in the shade and boarded a southbound train. He mentioned that there's nothing like a free subway ride to pass the time, adding, 'When I stay home, I get bored and just lie down.' The NYT has reported that many elderly individuals, like Lee, take subway rides to the last stop or simply ride without a specific destination, spending the day before returning home. The subway's extensive network and the opportunity to observe the surroundings and people at stations make it an ideal way to pass the time. This is especially appealing during the hot summer months when the subway offers robust air conditioning. Elderly individuals who embark on subway outings come from diverse backgrounds and professions. For instance, Mr. Jeon, aged 85, retired as a math professor. He mentioned, 'I often doze off while reading a book during subway rides. The subway journey is truly enjoyable, allowing me to explore every corner of Seoul.'