Korean Job Discussion Forums

[definitely maybe]

[Mr. BlackCat]

[earthbound14]

I'm not really down with the Korean counter culture, but I do know there are plenty of folks who don't like the status quo.

I had a friend who studied in London and opened up an art bar in Hongdae. He was a pretty cool guy and it was cool to hang in his club. It has since vanished.

I've also seen more than a few live acts that would fit into the counter culture idea. Problem is, most of it is copied from the west and not terribly counter to anything (as one poster stated, it's more like dress up). Some is though, I saw a folk guitarist who sang only in Korean and sang with such heart that it didn't matter that I could understand.

I also have a student who dropped out of highschool and bummed around Europe with a pal busking.

Barnana was also a cool place to hear good local DJs. But its also gone.

Some Jazz musicians in Apkujeong are also really good, they are talented musicians and do not give you the impression that are just copying stuff.

For me, anyone who can step outside of what is formulaic in Korea is pretty cool.

Everything I knew (I'm a boring stiff these days...) was just because I stumbled on it somewhere.

It might be a bit trickier to find what you want here, but Seoul is a helluva big city and lots of stuff goes on, lots of poeple are really cool despite the over riding urge to fit in. get out your walking shoes and wander on in to any club that seems cool, down random alleys, into markets, parks...you'll find something.

[Vimfuego]

[Cerberus]

agree with everyone else.

btw.. Korean counter-culture would be an oxy-moron.

that said, I love the concept, and if it ever springs up I'd support it wholeheartedly.

I once saw a Korean kid in a subway station in Seoul with a colored mohawk.

Sure, about 20 years old, but in this Borg collective environment, he still deserved a thumbs up. So I gave him one.

[strangerbegins]

There are plenty of club nights in Hongdae and Apkujung but that kind of thing doesn't strike me as counterculture. People are just drinking and dancing. There's nothing subversive going on. For more crazy stuff you might check out yogiga gallery in Hongdae or Space Beam in Incheon.

[Steelrails]

What is rebel these days? Back home in Liberal Ann Arbor everyone tried so hard to be different it just became tired. The real rebels were the ones who dressed in suits and ties and went to church and voted Republican. I have to say it's a breath of fresh not to be bombarded with everyone's opinions about why I should go macrobiotic or people dressing different just to 'shock' people (who then whine and cry if anyone ridicules them).

Being different for different's sake is just silly.

And actually social and cultural issues are 'mainstream' in K-Pop and have been since the mid 90s.

As for finding different spots to chill just pick up some of the mags lying around at a coffee shop and check them out for a 'scene'.

[mayorgc]

you need a four year university degree before you can legally teach in Seoul.

[Old Gil]

There's a place called Ssamzie in Hongdae that is supposed to be pretty cool. I have to agree with those who said Hongdae or Sinchon.

Also that supercolor place is definitely hipstered to the gills. I'm sure you'll find some elbow star tattoos and wan attempts at being twee.

"Oh look! A mustache! How ironical!"

[TheMarsTravolta]

SuperColorSuper has the following bands coming:
Carsick Cars- the biggest Chinese indie band, toured with Sonic Youth in the city of Europe
Do Make Say Think- a 9-piece canadian band with 2 drummers, trumpets, violin, all instrumental soundtrack-type music
Mt. Eerie (formerly the Microphones)- just a guy from the northwestern forest singing with an acoustic guitar, but pretty good if your on that trip.

SuperColor makes shows to support local bands and zines that are good, foreign bands, and provides merch service for Korea-based bands so they can get a chance to sustain themselves from music, and not the 60 hour Korean work week. It's counter or outside a Korean mode, but not in aggressive opposition. I know because I run it.

[Gibberish]

I'm still trying to find people who didn't drink the South Korean Confucianism Kool-Aid. Good luck.

[TheMarsTravolta]

gibberish!

[LosSeoul]

Thank you guys for all the resources..

TMT that sounds pretty awesome dude. Like I said originally we'll be Korea in a few months working and doing some research for a masters thesis. Im looking to photograph and interview some people (actually a lot of people) in the "scene." How long will you be in Korea? Would you mind helping us out?

thanks

[TheMarsTravolta]

I'll be in Asia for a while- maybe popping back to California for a few weeks somewhere, but we don't to lose the momentum we are gathering. You can contact us about interviews through the scs email - [email protected]- we are down as long our schedules permit.

[Cerberus]