Korean Job Discussion Forums

[McQwaid]

I was wondering if someone could set me straight on an issue most of you know. I just got here a few days ago with 9 other people. I want to go to Itawaen, but everyone is scared? They keep saying it is full of military men that pick fights randomly and that the place is very intimidating.

I like intimidating places, but I also know how to stay out of trouble. I mean come on, is the place that bad? Assuming you got some street smarts under the belt, can a fella go there by himself and have a good time? Maybe even meet some people?

Any feedback on this issue is much appreciated.......

[batman]

Funny, I kept hearing the same thing about Texas Street in Busan.
I was told 'don't go don't go'.
So, of course, I went.
And thought "so what".
Itaewon is kind of like that.
A nice place to go once and a while for different types of food (thai, mid-east, 'mexican') or to find something that you can't find somewhere else.
(a lap dance by a cross-dressing Korean male)
But a place to avoid?
Naaaah.
Gets boring after a while though.
Go check it out and see for yourself.

[seoulmon]

I'm afraid to go too. Your question should read "Why are my co-workers and memers of Dave's ESL afriad to go to ITAWON?"

Lot's of drunk G.I.s. yelling and waving their beer bottles. You can feel the tension in the air. It's America at it's worst....

[the_beaver]

Just got back from Itaewon and couldn't leave fast enough.

Just a big pot of testosterone soup and for a little guy like me not comfortable.

[Mr. Pink]

I'd say "afraid" and "experienced enough to know better" are two different things.

I am not, nor have ever been afraid to go anywhere in Korea. Just I am experienced enough to know, when I hit Itaewon during the day I get harassed and pissed off by all the Koreans selling suits etc.

When I go at night, some bars are a little toooo crazy for my pace of action. Yup some guys will want to start fights. If I wanted to fight, I'd rather do it with a Korean than a GI who is built like a tank.

I personally prefer Korean places of business that DONT cater to foreigners.

[OiGirl]

What is there to be "afraid of" in Itaewon? I mean, what are you guys DOING there?? There are some annoying salesmen, and some buffoonish GIs, but nothing that I fear...

[the_beaver]

[just because]

By not going you aren't missing much.

[sparkx]

HEY!! Thats my home you fool's be slaggin'

[djsmnc]

Not afraid of the 'twan, but it feels too much like home. Only place in a Korean nightclub that I saw a guy dry humping a girl while an ajosshi rubbed his shirtless chest...

Nuff said

[Alias]

Some of the Korean staff I used to work with really are afraid of the place. They think it is the murder capital of the country."I heard they have drugs there!"


It definitely has its low points but as long as you use your common sense there is nothing to be afraid of.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Itaewon has too many foreigners for my taste, but it's almost the only place to get a variety of ethnic foods. The sidewalks are as crowded as downtown Seoul or the other nightlife areas. The street hawkers can be a bit annoying. There must be a thousand bars. It's kind of the dark side of Korea, but what can you expect in a red-light district?

I'm not a regular by any means, and wasn't when I lived in Seoul, but I never saw fights or had any hassles with anyone.

[Shincheon_Blues]

There are even some drunk EFL teachers making asses out of themselves. Some of the biggest jerks I've seen had maple leaf pins on their backpacks


Jerks are jerks, some are GIs, some are EFL teachers, and there are even a few Koreans acting the fool!

[Mr. Pink]

[Gollum]

They are scared of it because a few years ago, a korean guy was murdered in the Burger King bathroom (apparently for "no reason"). It made big news.

Every Korean friend that came to Itaewon with me has mentioned that.