The line first began running from Jincheon to Jungangno on November 26, 1997.

The section from Jungnangno to Ansim was opened shortly thereafter, on May 2, 1998.

The west end of the line was extended from Jincheon to Daegok, reaching its current length on May 10, 2002.

However, service on the entire line was stopped for several months in 2003 following the Daegu subway fire.

Line 1's 28.4-kilometre (17.6 mi) course lies entirely within the metropolitan city of Daegu, although proposals have been made to extend it into the northern end of Gyeongsan city.