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oryx
Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Uk
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 Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 11:38 pm Post subject: Gay Life in Korea |
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I'm considering moving to Korea next year to teach English, I was just wondering what the gay life out there is like. I know it's all legal in Korea, and I know that it's probably not going to be as liberal as Britain/Western Europe.
The main question I have is whether it's safe to be openly gay in Korea, and whether it would affect employment issues.
Also, is there a fairly active gay scene in Korea? I'm guessing Seoul is the place if there is one.
Last question: are there many gay expats working out in Korea?
I'd be really grateful if someone could answer my questions.
Thanks  |
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Ramen
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 11:41 pm Post subject: |
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Don't ask and don't tell in Korea.  |
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lizlemon
Joined: 05 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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theres a lot more gays than you can imagine.
korea attracts social outcasts.. thats why theres so many dorks and gays |
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machoman
Joined: 11 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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i'm not gay, but had gay friends. there's one spot in seoul where all the gays hang out called homo hill, so i imagine it would be a super small world because it's literally just a back alley no longer than 50 yards.
and i had a gay korean male friend who says there are spots in the city where gay business men go into and it's only for koreans though. |
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Hotwire
Joined: 29 Aug 2010
Location: Multiverse
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 12:30 am Post subject: |
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^^ Hey, don't forget ot mention the socially inept!
There are lots of gay Koreans but not out in the open.
I went to the Insadong Gay Film Fesatival 2 years ago and these teenage Korean gay guys were up on the stage in lycra with Mickey Mouse ears doing some gaydance in front of the audience. I was kinda funny.
Best not to mention it at work I'd imagine.
I mean today I'm being treated like the 9th wonder of the underworld because I HAVE A COLD! It seems to them a source of wonder and amazement. Not to mention being told today
'Eat Gimbap good for health and not make fatly and bad mind like America food'
Imagine the response you'd get if you said you were homosexual!!
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geldedgoat
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 12:31 am Post subject: Re: Gay Life in Korea |
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| oryx wrote: |
| The main question I have is whether it's safe to be openly gay in Korea, and whether it would affect employment issues. |
Are you talking about disclosing the details of your personal life to your students or your boss and coworkers? The former should be avoided no matter your sexual preference. As for the latter, I would imagine you'd be okay as long as you aren't showing up to work dressed as the opposite sex and/or engaging in PDA, both of which, again, should be avoid no matter your sexual preference. |
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Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:55 am Post subject: |
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| Hotwire wrote: |
^^ Hey, don't forget ot mention the socially inept!
There are lots of gay Koreans but not out in the open.
I went to the Insadong Gay Film Fesatival 2 years ago and these teenage Korean gay guys were up on the stage in lycra with Mickey Mouse ears doing some gaydance in front of the audience. I was kinda funny.
Best not to mention it at work I'd imagine.
I mean today I'm being treated like the 9th wonder of the underworld because I HAVE A COLD! It seems to them a source of wonder and amazement. Not to mention being told today
'Eat Gimbap good for health and not make fatly and bad mind like America food'
Imagine the response you'd get if you said you were homosexual!!
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yeah, don't ask and tell but otherwise I think Korea is a gay man's paradise (don't know about the women, might be a lot harder)
I might have to call BS on your cold situation though.
K teachers at my school, especially the females seem to have colds ALL the time, whereas I, the waygoogin who doesn't eat a lot of Korean food that is "good for health" has had about 1 cold in 2 years. (and I didn't go to the hospital and or take a lot of pills for it) |
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 2:15 am Post subject: |
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You didnt tell us if you were a man or a woman.
If you're a woman...you have a it bad as lesbians have very few options in Seoul.
If you're a gay man....you still have it bad as Ive heard that the (foreign) gays dont have much either other than an alley.
On the otherhand....Seoul apparently has 100s of tiny gay bars if you're Korean...they're just not advertised to foreigners.
The two major areas are Itaewon (Homo hill) and Jongno-3. |
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Radius
Joined: 20 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 2:24 am Post subject: |
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| ew. |
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Radius
Joined: 20 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 2:26 am Post subject: |
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| ew. |
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mcviking
Joined: 24 Mar 2009
Location: 'Fantastic' America
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 8:55 am Post subject: |
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| Double post homophobe FTW? |
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soviet_man
Joined: 23 Apr 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Oryx.
Welcome.
I am a gay guy who has lived in Korea for about 6+ something years.
Let me give you a run down of a few of my favourite gay places:
1. A nightclub called "Why Not?"
A block or so from Itaewon subway exit 3. Gay K-pop joint that goes off after midnight.
2. www.equuszone.com
A very small club near the fire station in Itaewon. It is basically a gay place to crash and pick-up, after a big night out.
3. GM Sauna near Dongdaemun Stadium.
Again a cruising / sleeping place that is best well after dark, near the Russian restaurant.
4. The Hamilton Hotel.
You don't need to have a room - just use the sauna downstairs and there is a sleeping area where people don't actually do much sleeping.
5. The MunWha Sauna in Jongno-3-sam-ga.
It is in the back streets behind all the crappy jewellery shops. If you like the idea of getting down on a (much!) older ajosshi, this is the place for you.
6. http://seoul.craigslist.co.kr/
The M4M section is an excellent resource and don't the possibilities.
IN GENERAL:
What can be said is that nearly all Korean gay men are vehemently closeted and most of the foreign guys leave their gay identities for the weekend too. Which is dearly unfortunate.
The lack of critical mass of a gay community, also makes it near impossible to get tina, 420 or people to parTy with in Korea. This can be both a good thing or a bad thing. |
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Wai Mian
Joined: 03 Sep 2010
Location: WE DIDNT
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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| haha tina, what a fabulous euphemism |
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jinks
Joined: 27 Oct 2004
Location: Formerly: Lower North Island
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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Neither homophobia nor double posting is a reflection on a person's intelligence, but clicking on a thread called 'gay life in Korea' when you know you aren't going to like it is really, really stupid. |
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MattAwesome
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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sovietman knows all the spots. im disappointed about hte sauna at the hamilton. i used to live too far so i would crash in the sauna for a couple hours. not a good idea. /sigh
i took my gf to why not and queen on homo hill. they can really gay it up over there. we had a good time once you get over it. |
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