Commuter eating full meal on Seoul subway sparks debate over manners and empathy

A photo showing a passenger eating a full meal, including bossam (boiled slices of pork belly), kimchi and soup, on Seoul Subway Line No. 2 has gone viral, sparking mixed reactions online.

The post, uploaded on social media on Saturday, read, “I saw someone eating on Line No. 2 — she had bossam, soup and kimchi laid out.”

The accompanying photo showed a woman sitting on a subway seat with several side dishes on her lap and food pieces scattered on the floor.

The post has drawn over 670,000 views as of Monday, igniting a debate among online users. Some criticized the behavior. “It’s rude to eat smelly food on public transport” and “She lacks public manners," they wrote.

Others, however, expressed understanding, writing, “She must have been in a hurry,” “Sometimes I feel like doing the same,” and “If she had no other choice but to eat on the train, it’s understandable.”

While there is no specific law prohibiting eating on the subway, Seoul Metro’s passenger transport regulations allow staff to restrict passengers from carrying “items that are unsanitary or may cause discomfort due to odor” under Article 34.

Source : https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20251029/commuter-eating-full-meal-on-seoul-subway-sparks-debate-over-manners-and-empathy

Comprehension

What food was the woman eating on the subway?
On which subway line in Seoul did the incident happen?
Where was the photo first uploaded?
What did the photo show about the woman’s meal?
How many views did the post get by Monday?
What did some online users say about the woman’s behavior?
What did other people say in defense of the woman?
What does Seoul Metro’s regulation say about carrying certain items on the subway?

Discussion

Do you think it is acceptable to eat on public transportation? Why or why not?
What kinds of food do you think are okay to eat in public places?
How do people in your country feel about eating on buses or trains?
Why do you think some people supported the woman’s action?
Do you think the woman’s situation could have been an emergency?
How can people show good manners in public transportation?
Should there be strict rules about eating on subways?
What would you do if you saw someone eating a full meal on the train?
How does social media influence public opinion about small incidents like this?
Do you think people sometimes judge others too quickly online? Why or why not?

Vocabulary

Viral – spreading very quickly online or on social media.
Bossam – a Korean dish made of boiled pork belly, usually eaten with kimchi or garlic.
Accompanying – coming with or related to something else (e.g., “the accompanying photo”).
Scattered – spread or thrown around in different directions.
Criticize – to express disapproval or point out something wrong.
Manners – polite behavior in social situations.
Unsanitary – not clean or hygienic; could cause illness or discomfort.
Odor – a strong or noticeable smell, often unpleasant.