Living in LA's Koreatown, driving is essential for getting around.

So, with the announcement of the Metro D Line extension, I honestly have some expectations.

This first phase of the extension will change the flow from downtown through Koreatown to Mid-Wilshire and near Beverly Hills.

Three new stations will be added along Wilshire Boulevard over a distance of about 4 miles: La Brea, Fairfax, and La Cienega.

Once this line opens, the area that has been "car or nothing" will finally be connected by public transportation.

This is important because the subway section crossing from Koreatown to the western areas has always been congested.

Now, it's said that you can reach major cultural facilities in just 15-20 minutes by subway.

Being able to go to places like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and La Brea Tar Pits without transfers is a significant change.

What I personally feel living in Koreatown is that there are many places I can't go not because of time, but because of distance.

It takes 30 minutes by car, but that 30 minutes is stressful, which is why I don't go. However, this will reduce the travel time to half by subway.

This will especially make a big difference for trips to hospitals or work. Every time I go to a hospital in Beverly Hills, considering parking, it's really exhausting, so reducing that is definitely a plus.

What I'm most looking forward to is the emergence of "options to move without a car."

While it won't completely replace driving like in New York, if at least some sections can be handled by subway, it will change the way we live.

Another point that stands out is the accessibility of the LA Korean Cultural Center. Its location isn't bad now, but it's been tricky to get there by public transport.

With this extension, it will only be a few blocks from the La Brea station, making it much easier to participate in events or exhibitions.

However, it's not all good news. Simply adding subways won't solve everything.

Bus routes, transfer systems, and dedicated lanes need to work together for it to be effective.

LA still lacks in this area. If the situation continues to be "the subway is good, but getting there is inconvenient," it will only be a partial improvement.

Still, this D Line extension is not just a transportation project; it signals LA's attempt to move away from being a car-centric city.

And this is part of a larger picture leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Once it connects to Century City and UCLA, connectivity will improve even more.

As someone who has lived in Koreatown for a long time, I welcome these changes.