Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wackakapow]

Hi everyone,

My girlfriend and I arrived in Gwangju-si 3 weeks ago. So far we're having a pretty good time on our lonesome but are running out of things to buy... so we will be looking for some English-speaking company soon to ward off cabin fever. We are the only Anglophones we've seen other than the one other teacher at our school--who likely doesn't want to hang out with us every single weekend since she may want to see her fiancee occasionally.

So if you're one of the mythical Westerners in the area, or if you're not but speak English and aren't too far away, we'd like to have a drink some time.

[wylies99]

I know the feeling. If you believe the hype or what many post, there are foreigners EVERYWHERE in Korea, right? WRONG. If you live outside of Itaewon, it's KOREA and odds are you're surrounded by Koreans.

[cj1976]

I know that area quite well because I lived there for 5 months, and it's my girlfriend's home town. There's a bar called Wah Bar in the main downtown area (near Baskin Robbins, I think). I've seen some foreigners in there.
Have a look on facebook for a Gwangju group.

[BigStan]

[Otus]

Do you mean Kwangju - Kyunggi Do (province)? I have fond memories of that place. It was where I first lived in Korea for a year when coming in 1996. It wasn't even a city back then. I arrived there kind of like what you see at the beginning of a Mr Bean episode.

Is that London Bar still on the main street? Some foreigners used to hang out there sometimes.

Even back then, there were other foreigners; but they came and went at quite a pace. Some just used to look totally freaked out from the start; for one or two others I knew, the lonliness through not making it into some wider social scene was really sad - just finished out contracts and left. Another guy I knew went really mad and his hagwon boss had to get him out of the police station in the early hours of the morning a few times.

Me - I was probably a combination of the above, but finished out my contract and kept moving on to better things in Korea.

I'd love to go back and visit some time, maybe in a couple of weeks

[BoholDiver]

Gwangju, Hanam, and Seongnam (Bundang) are combining to make one big city.

I doubt it'll change much. Gwangju desperately needs better transportation. I was there once and decided to never go back.

[wackakapow]

I don't think we're going to go insane as we're pretty easily amused but it would be nice. We'll go check out that bar some weekend. Specifically we're in Taejon Dong. Our transportation to get downtown is easy, though. We do have a pretty massive apartment begging for some socializing, though, if anyone is feeling daring enough to make a trip.

As far as Kyungi-do vs Gyounggi-do etc., yes, that's where. We've seen both spellings.

Are any other green-people going to the "traditional village/folk town" thing for the Lunar New Year this weekend? Maybe we'll see you there.

[kabrams]

Y'all mean Gyeonggi-do? LOL, I never stick to spelling anything one way...it's crazy.

[wackakapow]

Another reason we all need to just learn Hangul/Hangeul/Handgool. Oh and Otis, if you're planning on coming for visit, let us know.

[wylies99]

[ca86108]

ill be in Korea by the end of the month and can take you guys up on that drink lol... I am hoping I am not the only foreigner within a 50mile radius when I move.

[ennoncha]

hey,
i live in gwangju ! there's not a tonne of foreigners there but there quite a few of us. head to wa bar on any friday night and there's usually a few foreigners there. we're all pretty friendly!
also, feel free to add me to facebook - shannon mitchell [email protected]
you should also join the gwangju facebook group, there's occasional meet ups !

[Stalin84]