Apgujeong Station Manager's Thank You Letter... Hotel and Department Store Opened Their Doors for 2 Weeks of Closed Bathrooms
A single notice posted throughout Apgujeong Station on Seoul Metro Line 3 has become a topic of discussion online. It's not a service notice or operational announcement. It's a thank you letter written by the station manager. It was directed at neighboring hotel and department store that graciously opened their bathrooms during two weeks of restroom renovation work, and at cleaning workers who labored in inconspicuous places.
Posted on the 16th in the name of the Apgujeong Station manager of Seoul Metro Corporation, the notice begins with: "Over the past two weeks, we were concerned about significant inconvenience to passengers due to restroom closure for restroom improvement construction. However, thanks to the ready cooperation of Andaz Hotel and Hyundai Department Store, we were able to complete the construction safely without major disruption." During the two weeks the station's restroom was closed, passengers in need used the restrooms at nearby Andaz Seoul Gangnam and Hyundai Department Store Apgujeong Main Branch.
The letter addressed the two neighboring businesses as follows: "I sincerely thank the hotel and department store staff members who always welcomed the sudden increase in unfamiliar visitors with kindness, even though it must have been inconvenient. The active cooperation and open-mindedness you showed in the discussion process have been a great source of strength for us."
The longest paragraph belonged to the cleaning workers. The station manager wrote: "Despite the significantly increased workload due to far more visitors than usual, thanks to your devoted efforts in maintaining cleanliness, both our staff and citizens were able to use the station without inconvenience." He continued: "We are well aware that your sweat and effort, working quietly in places that are not easily noticed, have been a great source of support throughout the construction period."
The notice concluded with a commitment: "We will not forget the warm hearts shown by Andaz Hotel and Hyundai Department Store as neighbors, and we will continue to work with the local community to create an even safer and more convenient Apgujeong Station." As the photo spread through online communities, reactions followed saying, "I was curious so I read it, and it was touching."