Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DanielP]

Hey guys!
I need your opinion on something. I have some friends from Japan coming to check out the Seoul scene, the same way I'm sure many of your friends came to visit. I want to show them some good social scenes during the day where the people are foreigner-friendly and for the most part, speak decent English. What are some good places?

- I would recommend Itaewon, but there must be more than Itaewon.

- I went to Myongdong, but I haven't gotten the impression that the people there are friendly to English-speakers. What's your take on this?

- COEX is a nice place for foreigners but it's all indoors. Granted, that's my opinion.

The reason why I'm asking is because I want to introduce them to a daytime social scene in Seoul. Where are some places you'd recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Daniel

[ajgeddes]

[DanielP]

Hahaha

So I wasn't dreaming.

How do you like COEX? Where's a good place you like going to chill in Seoul?

[kat2]

COEX is like the 5th layer of hell. Crowded, hot, noisy + Koreans not watching where they are going, using their elbows, and wearing blinders = hell. Spent my worst chistmas ever at COEX.

The War Museum near Samgakji is great.
Namsan Tower and Park is nice and offers a good view of thecity (as long as the smog isn't really bad).

[ajgeddes]

COEX is a terrible place to go shopping, but it is possibly the best place in Seoul to find somewhere to eat. If you know it well enough (like I do as I live across the street from it) there are probably 100 different places to eat inside of it. Aside from that, it has probably the best theatre in Korea.

[loose_ends]

day time social scene is seoul???

work, eat, drink coffee, work, and then eat again.....

if you are a really hot chick: sleep, order food, make-up, shop, sleep

not much to do in seoul during the day.

you should have gone to japan to visit your friends.


my personal favorite though: go bungee jumping in bundang, not technically seoul but it is fun. there are also go-karts somewhere in chungdam

[DanielP]

[shaunew]

insoldong and Junro 3ga are good places, bookstores and art crap. Gagnam and Apujueng are good places to go as well. Yongsan electronic market is cool.

[loose_ends]

[SeoulShakin]

I've never had a problem in Myeongdong when I go shopping. People are always friendly and receptive to me there. There have been times where the people who try to get customers into the store, will switch to English when they see a foreigner go by. I'd recommend Myeongdong. You can easily get lost shopping on all those little side streets.

Insadong is also good if they want "traditional" tourist memorabilia. My boss last year said that Insadong is very famous among Japanese tourists.

Take them to the top to Namsan mountain for the view of Seoul (hike it or take the cable car).

I loved the war museum, but I'm not sure if a Japanese person would, since I would imagine their takes on historical events may be quite different.

One of the main palaces. Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung are two of the best I think. The latter offers tours in English.

Dongdaemun night market has great shopping, and Namdaemun is always a good place to go.

Gangnam and Apkujeong are great as well if you're into a more affluent scene, with bars, shopping, and restaurants.

Then there is always Itaewon. Compared to shopping elsewhere, this is kinda the pits.

Can't think of any more off the top of my head.

When my friends came to visit I just googled "Top 10 things to do in Seoul" and got tons of ideas.

[jinju]

[DanielP]

Thanks guys for the replies!
SeoulShakin, thanks for thorough reply. I'll probably take them there then.

Shaunew, thanks for that. I'll scout the area.

All the others, thanks too.

I know what to do now. Thanks again

DanielP

[biggpoppa]

i don't think anyone mentioned hongdae in here...good place to hit up to eat and such...better than itaewon...in my opinion

[eamo]

[Unposter]

You said your friends are from Japan...if they are Japanese, Myeongdeong is actually a great place for them as many of the stores including the street vendors cater to the Japanese with Japanese signs and many of the attendants speaking Japanese.