Korean Job Discussion Forums

[saram_]

Itaewon sums up Korea in some ways..

It has gone through HUGE change in the last decade..

Itaewon has had a very bad reputation and rightly so for years.
It was one of these places (maybe the only place) to be avoided.. Back in the 1990's it was just crazy and just total chaos. Now- I wasn't around here then but Ive heard this from many different people..

Itaewon is now a much cleaner and safer place than say 10 years ago..

I can't but wonder as I walk around Itaewon these days at the ever increasing amount of Korean people there.. Ive been in Korea about 4 years and certainly notice this.

Itaewon has a lot to offer both expats here as already mentioned and also Koreans..especially the younger ones who are more curious about western culture.

If Itaewon continues on its upwardly path then it could and should be a pretty cool place in the future..


Itaewon has a long way to go though and there are certain elements (especially at night time) within Itaewon which tarnish it's name and make it a place that most people can't fully embrace...yet!

Anyway..Itaewon shouldn't just be written off as A or B...
It is changing/developing!!

[teretere]

The Koreans in Itaewon look jaded, cynical, and shell-shocked.

[noraebang]

A cesspool is a "A filthy, disgusting, or morally corrupt place."

Last time I went to Tartine Bakery, I dined in a quiet, tidy, and comfortable atmosphere. I found nothing that was negative about the patrons nor the service. The chef was delightful and personally came out to chat with us. The skill and love he puts into his food is admirable.

The last major meal I had at a restaurant in Itaewon was at a place I think was called The Moghul (not quite sure anymore). It was an Indian buffet in which I was waited on, hand and foot, by the staff. The service was incredible and I walked away stuffed with delicious food. Rather than "filthy or disgusting" I thought the atmosphere was upscale.

The last time I went to WhatTheBook in Itaewon I was greeted by a bilingual Korean staff member and readily offered assistance before I could even ask. I walked away from the store satisfied from receiving a good deal on a used Korean language textbook.

My experiences directly contradict the characterization of Itaewon as a cesspool, except one single experience: I came to Itaewon one night during the international food festival, in which food vendors of all stripes were set up everywhere. Being that there are no public waste baskets in Korea, plates, skewers, napkins, and half eaten food were thrown into corners or on top of garbage cans in the streets. I wasn't dissuaded from eating at the vendors however.

[b-class rambler]

[shostahoosier]

then what IS Tokyo's area for foreigners?

Most sites I've read say Roppongi...but reading never trumps being there.

[b-class rambler]

[T-J]

[zippie]

is life in korea tougher than in america? it seems like there is more competition to make a living there. more politics. more underhandedness??

[uklathemock]

It's nothing compared to parts of downtown L.A. after midnight.

Have you seen "I Am Legend?"

[Yaya]

[shostahoosier]

[Milwaukiedave]

[joeheckel]

For those of you calling Itaewon a cesspool, I would have to agree. I have been there a few times and each time I left asking myself why I even visited. There are better places to eat, shop, drink and meet women/men all over the place in Seoul without having to experience Itaewon. For those of you who are new to Korea, I guess it is a good place to go in order to communicate with people in English but otherwise, get out in the city and experience the true culture of Korea because Itaewon is not it!

[enerjohn]

Itaewon is a cesspool, all right. A cesspool of AWESOME.

[NYC_Gal]