Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sbp59]

What is gwangju like? Good place to live? Anyone teach there?

Let me know what it's like? Food, nightlife, the people, gyms, entertainment? Fill me in.

I've heard they have the world cup stadium. I'm considering moving there and would appreciate any info on the city that you might have.

Thanks

[Captain Muffy]

As for the nightlife, at least, it's the same thing over and over and over again. There are two western bars next to each other that, no matter what you say now, will likely become your home away from home.

There are some cool peeps there, but I thought it got old. Same people all the time, same available girls, same songs at the bar, same crappy live acts playing in bars way too small for the noise they make... I had some fun there, but about six months into it I realized I couldn't wait to get out.

There is a cute downtown, though, and it's pretty lively down there. And it's cheaper than Seoul, I suppose, and easier to get around. Just depends if you like the small town sort of social life ("where everybody knows your name"), or if you like a big city where you can be anonymous and check out a different scene every weekend. I prefer the latter, but that's me.

All I can tell you about is the weekend scene, because I actually lived outside the city and only went there on weekends.

[blurgalurgalurga]

I mostly agree with muffy. The two bars he's talking about, speakeasy and Song's german bar, are pretty friendly, and much less mutant-infested than a lot of other foreigner bars I've been to. Surprisingly few scraps break out, people are not parTICularly backstabby, and people mind their own business, more or less. It's cliquey, like anywhere else in the world, but people are generally up for making friends, I've found. Definitely lots of good people here. Sure there's some mutants and frothing goofballs, but where isn't there?

One thing I would add though is that Gwangju is actually pretty big--maybe 1.4 million people--and there are tonnes of other bars to go to, where you won't see many foreigners. If you like Koreans and hanging out with them, there's as many bars as you'd expect in a Korean city this size. That is to say, a LOT of bars.

As for gyms...I dunno. I'm fat as a ham. I assume there are places to work out--probably not so very flash though. Gwangju's kinda poor...

Not a bad place to land, Gwangju. KTX to the big smoke if you get sick of it, or check out the other cities in the area--Mokpo, Suncheon, Yeosu, or any of the little islands, and like that--and you can get a better sense of the country than you will if you just hang out in the downtowns. The countryside here is actually pretty funky and there's some neat geography. Nothing against the downtowns, but they do tend to repeat themselves.

[sbp59]

Thanks for the responses. Very helpful. Anyone have any info on gym's and sports in the area.

[Wayland]

Im also moving to Gwangju in the next few weeks, being a strength and grappling nut, id like to get the lowdown on Gyms and sports facilities particularly places where i can do judo or Brazilian jujitsu

[sbp59]

Bump. Anyone got any info of gym's in Gwangju?

[nuorange]

Gwangju's a good place to live. I find the Koreans to be friendlier than in other cities and they're getting more and more used to foreigners. The foreigners here are generally friendly enough but there's been a massive influx lately so things are beginning to change.

There's a foreign men's soccer team and lots of signs for Judo, TKD, and increasingly more for MMA. Tons of gyms around, especially if you're living in a more populated area. Can't say how good any of them are as I generally don't go and a gym's a gym to me.

There is a World Cup Stadium but the soccer team isn't very good or very popular. Games are dirt cheap and you get great seats, though. The baseball team is pretty good and there's a lot more fans.

Good place to live and they certainly have the best Korean food out of anywhere I've been. However, if you're wanting serious nightlife, a million foreigners to hang out with or all the conveniences and niceties of wherever you're from, head to Seoul. Gwangju's still got a bit of Korea left in it, whereas Seoul can be just like home.

[tonyvu]

Is ulsan any more of an upgrade than gwangju as far as nightlife goes?

[jimmydenfield]

ulsan can be an upgrade as it is only an hour from Busan, and ulsan's nightlife is bigger than gwangu's. i like gwangju, its 3 hrs to busan or 3 hrs to seoul.. so perfect for when you need to get away.. but great because you have a sense of community here... hope that helps..

[Wayland]

Im living in pong am district and there are a good number of gyms here, the best of which is Haemsoo fitness sauna which for just gym membership is 50,000 won.

Also ive only managed to find one MMA gym, near world cup stadium called Tank gym, the striking coach is great but the Grappling coach and gym owner Young Hyun Park is absentee.

[kiaratokorea]

Are the gyms in Korea the same as the western ones?? how do you find the equipment?

[Bloopity Bloop]

[Sergio Stefanuto]

As I said in another Gwangju thread, the best I can say about Gwangju is that it is tolerable. Actually, I much prefer my little city on the outskirts of Gwangju than Gwangju itself. I lived in Seoul for three years previously, however, which obviously affects the way I view Gwangju. Gwangju resembles Seoul in the respects in which Seoul sucks, and is fundamentally different from Seoul in the respects in which Seoul is a great city to live in. I also don't accept the view that Gwangju is cheaper than Seoul.

[Wayland]