Colorful 'Hechi buses' begin transiting downtown Seoul

Pink and mint buses featuring Seoul’s newly designed mascot, Hechi, have begun plying the streets of downtown.

A bus featuring the capital's mascot Hechi travels near Namsan in downtown Seoul in a photo shared by the city government on Sunday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Pink and mint buses featuring Seoul’s newly designed mascot, Hechi, have begun plying the streets of downtown.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday that the so-called Hechi buses began operations around Namsan on Saturday.

Integrating this "fun design" into public transportation comes as the city's mascot receives its first complete makeover in 15 years.

Seoul's new official character, Hechi, along with four Soul Friends — red bird Joo, blue dragon Young, black tortoise Moo and white tiger Hou — made their debut appearance early last month.

The interior of a bus, including bus seats, is decorated with designs featuring Hechi and Soul Friends. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The exteriors and interiors of the two buses adorned with the new design — Nos. 01A and 01B — will showcase these characters.

The two bus routes primarily cover the Namsan area, with No. 01A traveling from Namsan to the Blue House and No. 01B circling Namsan Park.

These bus routes will also be covered by the capital's unlimited transit pass, the Climate Card.

Meanwhile, the city government will host a competition of Hechi-related content from Monday through April 24.

Participation is open to everyone aged four and above, including foreigners. The winning entries will be shared on the metropolitan government's social media platforms.

The front of a bus featuring the capital's mascot Hechi [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]