Two oval shaped stickers are placed in the shape of a heart. When one’s feet are placed on the sticker, one’s legs are gathered together, avoiding bothering other people. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb.2 (Korea Bizwire) – Passengers who ride the subway’s Bundang Line might find an orange sticker on the floor in front of their seat.
The stickers are part of a campaign to stop inconvenience caused by ‘manspreading’ in subways.
Two oval shaped stickers are placed in the shape of a heart. When one’s feet are placed on the sticker, one’s legs are gathered together, avoiding bothering other people.
The campaign, hosted by ING Life Insurance, will last until April 30. Orange stickers will be affixed on the floors in front of 132 seats on the Bundang Line, enticing people to place their feet on top of them.
The campaign was previously run in December 2015 on Line 3. University students who participated in a ‘Nudge Marketing’ idea contest hosted by ING Life Insurance came up with the idea. ING selected them, and suggested the idea to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Based on passenger responses on the Bundang Line, Korail is considering expanding the campaign.
ING Life Insurance gave a cash prize of three million won to the students who came up with the idea, and also offered them internship opportunities.
Officials at ING commented that the responses were positive when the campaign started, as the message was fun, gentle, and also persuasive. “The compassion of citizens related to public etiquette also helped us carry out the campaign. We hope to host more campaigns to change lives starting from small ideas.”
By M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
