Korean Job Discussion Forums

Squaffy · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: All over the place

This is a re-worded post OK as my first one was quite hideous ;-(

I'm soon to be teaching in Seoul and would appreciate any info on the gay scene there - I've heard of 'homo hill'.

I know it is discreet, as in other Asian countries, but what is the lowdown info?

I had a pretty scary experience when in Japan and would not want anything like that to happen again (hence the homophobic bit in my first posting).

Hope this re-post is OK - I'm sorry for writing such innane gibberish in the first one.

dutchman · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: My backyard

Your post is riddled with problems and assumptions. First of all, there are over 1000 people registered on this site. You claim that represents 1% of the total ESL teacher population in Korea? So, you're suggesting that there are over 100,000 ESL teachers in Korea? Laughing

208 people viewed the post. So that means 208 people are gay? I viewed but am not gay (as far as I know).

What makes you think this forum is against people like you? Dave himself gave a helpful response to the gay question.

As far as your regular weekend hangouts...none of my business.

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Couldn't care less what you do with the one you love (or lust after), but don't expect anyone to hold back any punches either- gays can be as assinine as straight folk.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2003 5:33 pm Post subject:

Didn't note any problems myself, Squaffy, and I associate with several gay-friendly folk. I don't think anybody replied simply because nobody has an answer off the top of their head, that's all.

denz · Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2003 7:55 pm Post subject: yesh well

i'm not so much family, as family-in-law, but you'll be happy to know that the scene here is really quite good. homohill is a lot of fun and the family expats (and locals) tend to be a lot more friendly, open and supportive than you would find one street down in the depths of itaewon, or hongdae or anywhere. fly in on your own and someone will look after you, i am sure. my girl and i go there every so often with friends. they love her to death and try to convert us all the same (worse than the jehovah's witnesses i tells ya Wink

)

not sure if much family hangs out on these here branches, but you never know, eh? the page needs more fabulousness i think.

best of luck

denz

william beckerson · Guest

What, you think being gay is a ticket out of having someone slap you around for an opinion?

Please now.

And I think you'll find that there are homophobes everywhere, but the general population doesnt really think about it. So neither should you.

Squaffy · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: All over the place

It was a poorly thought out /worded posting, I agree. Sorry for that.
Thanks for the replies though.

Seatangle · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Left of Center

Hi there, Yes, there are some "friends of Dorothy" on this forum in fact.

The gay secene in Korea is interesting to say the least. There are several gay bars in Itaewon that are foreigner friendly. Plus there are a few sprinkled around the rest of the country.

Only one time has anyone harrassed me in Korea. A couple of drunken soldiers is all, it was really no big deal. One time in fact, a girl at a hostess bar was beckoning me to come in, and she actually apologized to me when she saw where I was really headed! I thought it was kinda funny.

Work is a different story. Like many things in this country, Korea keeps it's gay side hidden. It's frustrating when people constantly ask why you're not married, or what kind of girls you like. I have yet to find a good answer for those questions that don't make me feel like a liar.

Gay Koreans are honest to god some of the sweetest men I've ever met. Try to make friends with some Korean guys and let them show you the ropes.

Best of luck.

Captain Obvious 2.0 · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

Not Angry · Joined: 31 Jan 2003

There are plenty of good places to go in Itaewon that are foriegner friendly. If you want to know any details just send me an e-mail. [email protected]

buddy bradley · Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: The Beyond

komtengi · Joined: 30 Sep 2003 Location: Slummin it up in Haebangchon

http://www.chingusai.net/
hope you have a korean friend to translate or can speak korean... good maps too...
I was doing a search for the word friend in korean and came across this site

desultude · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2003 6:48 am Post subject:

Welcome to Korea. You'll have to indulge a lot of thick-headed opinions here, on the board and in the culture.

Find a group of friends, and ignore the crap. Things are changing here, and most Koreans, in my opinion, are big hearted. But the culture here is currently in the U.S. 50's when it comes to social thinking.

camel96 · Guest

Squaffy was so polite back in the old days.... Laughing

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Of course as a gay in korea you can never openly be who you really are- expect a year of questions like why don't you have a girlfriend or why aren't you married etc... i know because i shared an appartment with one last year. I understand there is a happening scene for you at Homo hill though.