Learn Woodworking at Subway Stations, Enjoy Movies in the Park

Seoul Districts Launch Free Cultural and Welfare Programs
From Woodworking Experiences and Forest Healing to Outdoor Movies and Houseplant Clinics

With wallets getting thinner these days, local districts across Seoul are rolling out a series of programs that allow residents to enjoy culture and healing in their daily lives without spending a single won.

Forest healing program at Gwanaksan Mountain. Courtesy of Gwanak District.

According to district offices on June 11, Eunpyeong District is operating a "Mobile Woodworking Experience" that tours subway stations. Starting on June 19 at the GTX Yeonsin 849 Square, the program will travel to key transportation hubs in the district such as Susaek Station, Gupabal Station, and Yeokchon Station, offering woodworking exhibitions and hands-on activities.

At the first event, in celebration of Dano, participants can take part in making "Haechi Keyrings in Hanbok" and "Traditional Pattern Tile Pot Holders." Each session is limited to 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis and will be held twice at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Residents can sign up via the Seoul Public Service Reservation system or register on-site. The venue will also feature "Eunpyeong Pabali, Running with the Breath of the Forest," an exhibition showcasing upcycled wood from urban forests.

Gwanak District is offering the "Forest Healing Program - Rest, Therapy" free of charge every Tuesday through Saturday until November this year, utilizing Gwanaksan Mountain. Last year, 2,866 people participated, recording a satisfaction rate of 96.3%. This year, the program has been expanded to include personalized garden therapy sessions for seniors, young people, couples with infertility, firefighters, and police officers, as well as a variety of courses for families, individuals, and groups.

Participants can engage in meditation, breathing exercises, aromatherapy, and forest garden walks with a certified forest healing instructor. Applications can be made by searching for "Gwanaksan" on the Seoul Public Service Reservation website, and group reservations are available through the Gwanak Healing Center.

If you want to enjoy an outdoor movie this weekend evening, head to Yongsan District. On June 13 at 7 p.m., Yongsan District will hold the free outdoor movie screening event "Our Neighborhood Moonlight Cinema" at Hyochang Park. Now in its eighth year, this year's screening features Disney's "Moana 2." Anyone can attend for free without pre-registration, and picnic mats and camping chairs are available on-site at no cost.

For residents raising houseplants, don’t miss out on free expert consultations and treatment services. At the "Houseplant Clinic Center" located in the Seocho Garden Center within Maljukgeori Park, horticulture experts offer one-on-one support every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including pest and disease diagnosis, cultivation advice, and repotting.

Each person can consult for up to three pots in 30-minute sessions. From May through October, there are also a total of 10 "Houseplant Programs" covering houseplant cultivation, eco-friendly pest control, flower arrangement, and terrariums, targeting families, young single households, and seniors.

The "Mobile Houseplant Clinic," which visits apartment complexes and parks directly, will begin on June 13 at Banpo Summit Apartments and will be held a total of 10 times. Applications for the clinic center and programs can be made through the Seoul Public Service Reservation System.

Plant Care Education Program for Companion Plants in Seocho District. Provided by Seocho District.

This year, Gangseo District is also launching its first "Mobile Houseplant Clinic." The district will select 10 locations, including apartment complexes with over 150 households and companies with more than 200 employees, providing all services from diagnosis to repotting free of charge. Four service booths—registration, diagnosis, repotting, and surveys—will be set up on-site to offer a one-stop service.

Applications can be submitted by 5 p.m. on June 19 via email (keemhana@gangseo.seoul.kr) or by visiting the Parks and Greenery Department at the Gangseo District Office.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.