Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jasmine]

I hear there's a nice foreign community in Kwangju. My boyfriend and I will be going there in February. Any suggestions on how to meet fellow teachers there? Any kool hangouts?
Thanks a lot for all your help!

[Hotuk]

The two foreigner bars in Kwangju are the Blue Monkey (I find it icky) and Mad Season, which has a much better atmosphere. It feels like a college pub back home - walls painted black, etc.

There's also a popular Italian restaurant, Sitte Belle, that attracts a lot of Westerners.

However, I'm not so sure I'd agree with the statement that there's a great/large foreign community here. Pusan seems (to me) to have one of the best, if not the best, in Korea.

Rasta? Weatherman? Opinions?

[weatherman]

Geez thanks for giving my location away. A foreign community in Kwangju, Hmm, I would have to think about that. Is there a foreign community in Kwangju? Seems to me that there is nothing established like you can find in Seoul or Busan. Sure there is the Blue monkey bar, which used to be Canadian owned and run, but after he left, that place lost a lot of its charm. A lot of foreigners go there, but seems to be very cliquish if you are looking for some conversation with fellow expats. (My opinion) Mad season is/can be a lot of fun, and is the better choice but it really doesn't get going until very late, after three I would say. There is a football team (soccer) organized be foreigners and they are pretty damn good. Then there is the Gwangju newsletter run by Koreans and foreigners. There is a small air base in Kwangju, and the biggest foreign group are the 3D workers from the Philippines working in the factories out in Kwang-sun Gu. Foreigners are here, but in terms of community, it is who you meet, the people you are working with, your own personal socialization skills, and what you make of the Kwangju situation that will give you your community. The foreign community hasn't reached a critical mass for any sustaining endeavors or institutions, but maybe things are looking up these days Any others?

[rasta man]

I haven't found too much exciting here after a year in Kwangju, then again I'm married and not too much into the social scene. Been to the Blue Monkey and as someone said very cliquish IMHO, I find expats in Kwangju to be somewhat unfriendly. Westerners don't socialize much even when bumping into them at Burger King. Also seems to break along hogwon/univ lines with the two seldom mixing.

Yeah the GIC has some events but they seem to cater towards the people at KJIST or the factory people.

I do agree that Siete Bell is a great resturant and have seen many expats there.

Just my opinion for what its worth

[Jasmine]

I'm not in Kwangju yet, but I was there for a month in September and attended foreigners' day at one of the local universities. It seemed very nice and I was hoping that that sort of thing went on all year long.

Does anyone on this board ever get together to hang out? We could do a Kwanju piss-up! (for those of you familiar with the Thorn Tree).

Just a thought. I need friends!

[Guest]

Just a query to those in Kwangju. I'm considering taking a position with Kimschool, but I can't find out much about them in English. Does anyone know anything good/bad about them. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Anda]

Kim's School main building is very close to the downtown area in Gwangju and in a nice area but it has a small red light area nearly around the corner from it. It is also nearly at the foot of Mt Modong mountain to which you can catch a bus (5minutes) to or walk (20minutes). I have only heard good reports on the school.

[Anda]

The biggest foreign meeting place in Gwangju would be the Kwangju Presbyterian Church where an English service is held on Sundays. Something like 25 to 30 foreigners attend along with about the same number of English speaking Koreans. The church is located within a ten minute walf from Top Book shop in the downtown shopping centre.

[seonaid]

hello,
I arrived in gwangju last week and i'd really like to meet some people. Any ideas? A piss up sounds great to me!

Seonaid (scottish girl)

[OiGirl]

[Gwangjuboy]

[discostar23]

I don't knw why every one seems to have a problem with Kwangju. They say its boring...well I think it all depends on your company. I have been here six months and I'm having a blast! Its easy to get around the city and doesn't take two hours to get from one side to the other.

I agree Soul Train is the place to go. Also get friendly with some of the Americans stationed at the base because they throw some pretty wild parties .

Mad Season is a huge dive...I live in the Chumdan (Gwangsan) part of the city and we are trying to get a place called Billboard our local hang out for Fridays so all you peeps in our area PM me and we will set a time (warning we usually make our way to a Norang bong after)

[katydid]

Damn, that would have been cool not just 6 months ago!

Ah well.

[weatherman]

Soul Train used to be great, now it is another plain out and out foreign bar. Used to get a good mix of locals and foreigners in there. Now 95% foreigners on Friday and Saturday night, other nights of the week the place is more or less empty.

[rawiri]

any of you gwangju guys keen to play a little touch rugby on sat or sun afternoon?, email me at [email protected] if you are.

Its not rough or anything, just a fun run around, all levels are welcome, boys and girls.
Cheers!.