In 1980, new express train, named Udeung (우등, literally meaning Premium), was introduced.

It was renamed Mugunghwa-ho, which was the name of an express train formerly operating in the 1960s.

The Mugunghwa-ho takes its name from the hibiscus syriacus, the national flower of South Korea.

Although some of stations are closed from the retirements, stops of Mugunghwa-ho vary for each train.

Gyeongbu Line: Seoul, Yongsan, Yeongdeungpo, Anyang, Suwon, Osan, Seojeongni, Pyeongtaek, Seonghwan, Cheonan, Jeonui, Jochiwon, Bugang, Sintanjin, Daejeon, Okcheon, Iwon, Jitan, Simcheon, Yeongdong, Hwanggan, Chupungnyeong, Gimcheon, Gumi, Yangmok, Waegwan, Sindong, Daegu, Dongdaegu, Gyeongsan, Namseonghyeon, Cheongdo, Sangdong, Miryang, Samnangjin, Wondong, Mulgeum, Hwamyeong, Gupo, Sasang, Busan Honam Line: Seodaejeon, Gyeryong, Yeonsan, Nonsan, Ganggyeong, Hamyeol, Iksan, Gimje, Sintaein, Jeongeup, Baegyangsa, Jangseong, GwangjuSongjeong, Naju, Dasi, Hampyeong, Muan, Mongtan, Illo, Imseong-ri, Mokpo Jungang Line: Cheongnyangni, Deokso, Yangpyeong, Yongmun, Jipyeong, Seokbul, Ilsin, Maegok, Yangdong, Samsan, Seowonju, Wonju, Bongyang, Jecheon, Danyang, Punggi, Yeongju, Andong, Uiseong, Tap-ri, Hwabon, Sinnyeong, Bugyeongcheon, Yeongcheon, Ahwa, Singyeongju Jeolla Line: Iksan, Samnye, Jeonju, Imsil, Osu, Namwon, Gokseong, Guryegu, Suncheon, Yeocheon, Yeosu Expo Chungbuk Line: Daejeon, Sintanjin, Jochiwon, Osong, Cheongju, Ogeunjang, Cheongju Int'l Airport, Jeungpyeong, Eumseong, Judeok, Chungju, Samtan, Bongyang, Jecheon Gyeongjeon Line: Samnangjin, Hallimjeong, Jinyeong, Jillye, Changwonjungang, Changwon, Masan, Jung-ri, Haman, Gunbuk, Banseong, Jinju, Wansa, Bukcheon, Hoengcheon, Hadong, Jinsang, Gwangyang, Suncheon, Beolgyo, Joseong, Yedang, Deungnyang, Boseong, Myeongbong, Iyang, Neungju, Hyocheon, Seogwangju, GwangjuSongjeong Yeongdong Line: Yeongju, Bonghwa, Chunyang, Imgi, Hyeondong, Buncheon, Yangwon, Seungbu, Seokpo, Cheoram, Dongbaeksan, Dogye, Singi, Donghae Taebaek Line: Jecheon, Yeongwol, Yemi, Mindungsan, Sabuk, Gohan, Taebaek, Dongbaeksan Janghang Line: Cheonan, Asan, Onyangoncheon, Dogooncheon, Sillyewon, Yesan, Sapgyo, Hongseong, Gwangcheon, Cheongso, Daecheon, Ungcheon, Pangyo, Seocheon, Janghang, Gunsan, Daeya, Iksan Donghae Line: Bujeon, Centum, Sinhaeundae, Gijang, Namchang, Taehwagang, Bugulsan, Singyeongju, Seogyeongju, Angang, Pohang, Wolpo, Jangsa, Ganggu, Yeongdeok Gyeongbuk Line: Gimcheon, Oksan, Cheongni, Sangju, Hamchang, Jeomchon, Yonggung, Gaepo, Yecheon, Yeongju Gwangju Line: GwangjuSongjeong, Geungnakgang, Gwangju Daegu Line: Dongdaegu, Hayang, Yeongcheon