Kian84 criticizes Seoul marathon races for causing traffic disruptions

Running enthusiast Kian84 warned that frequent weekend marathons in Seoul could cause citizens to view the sport negatively due to repeated road closures. During a video released on the 19th, he and actress Kwon Hwa-woon discussed the need for better race management as multiple events are currently being held at the same time.

Webtoon artist and entertainer Kian84 has voiced criticism regarding the succession of marathon races held in downtown Seoul. Rather than denying the races themselves, Kian84, a running enthusiast, raised issues regarding the reality of repeated road closures caused by multiple races being held simultaneously every weekend. He pointed out that as the running craze establishes itself as a healthy hobby, the way these events are managed needs to change to avoid clashing with the inconvenience caused to citizens.

On the YouTube channel "Insaeng84," a video titled "I filmed and edited this episode myself" was released on the 19th. In the video, Kian84 visited the home of actress Kwon Hwa-woon, who also enjoys running, to discuss topics related to the sport. The two exchanged opinions on various subjects, ranging from the rapidly spreading running culture in Korea to the operational methods of marathon races.

Kian84 introduced Kwon Hwa-woon as the "number one runner in the entertainment industry," noting her outstanding records. He explained that despite having started running less than three years ago, she has achieved a personal best of 2 hours and 36 minutes. Kian84 highly praised Kwon's record, predicting that if she continues her training, she could aim for a time in the 2 hour 20 minute range.

However, the conversation about running soon turned to practical issues surrounding race management. Kian84 expressed frustration over urban traffic control, stating, "Because there are so many (marathons) in Seoul, the roads are incredibly blocked on weekends." He added, "It could actually lead ordinary people to view running in a negative light," expressing concern that unnecessary resentment could arise between those who enjoy running and citizens who do not.

When Kwon Hwa-woon mentioned, "Three are being held at the same time right now," Kian84 reiterated the problem, saying, "They block all the roads." While having multiple races on the same day may increase options for participants, the implication is that it concentrates traffic congestion and movement inconveniences for citizens using the roads. As the popularity of running grows, the process of coordinating race schedules and locations has become increasingly important.

As an alternative, Kwon Hwa-woon suggested focusing on large-scale, highly recognizable major races rather than indiscriminately increasing the number of events. When she asked, "What if we just do the real major ones and put everything into one?" Kian84 responded in agreement, saying, "It's about selection and focus." They reached a consensus on a direction to gather participants' interest by adjusting the number of races and their schedules while simultaneously reducing citizen inconvenience.

Kian84's remarks draw attention because he is himself a consistent runner. In the video, he revealed that he runs more than 150 km every month. Since he directly experiences the charm of running, his comments are interpreted not as a criticism of the running culture itself, but as a call to address issues to ensure the rapidly growing popularity can be sustained.

Running has become a popular exercise due to the advantage that it can be started without special equipment or facilities. Marathon races also function as events that provide participants with goals and a sense of achievement while increasing the vitality of cities. However, as the number of races using public roads increases, the balance between traffic control and the right to movement for citizens must be considered. Attention is now focused on whether the "selection and focus" suggested by Kian84 will lead to actual discussions regarding race management.

Read the original (Korean)