Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MiXX]

I am looking for some info on Suwon (Ingyedong or close specifically)

1) Gym(s) to lift weights

2) Parks or Sports Complex for tennis, basketball, and soccer

3) Clubs or bars

4) Sights and attractions

Appreciate any and all advice

[Son Deureo!]

There are several expat friendly bars in Suwon. In the Suwon Station area, Sam Ryan's is fun and friendly with good pub food and specials during the week. Bulldogs and Lao bar are fun enough, but a bit overpriced IMHO. Near Paldalmun you've got Big Chill that gets a good crowd on Fridays for Ladies Night, and I hear good things about their quiz night. One floor over Big Chill has Indie Suwon, also fun on Friday nights with a W10k all you can drink special that includes a live (local) band

For sights, the Suwon Fortress and the nearby palace is definitely worth a visit. The only other sight worth mentioning is the Suwon Toilet Museum, housed in a toilet shaped building as a tribute to a former mayor of Suwon who was a big proponent of quality public bathrooms both in Korea and internationally (sadly, he died before his work in this country was truly complete).

If you're on Facebook, check out the Suwon Newbies group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/suwonnewbies/). They have some pretty good archives and plenty of helpful people to answer all of your Suwon-related questions.

[daojiao]

What a coincidence, I'm leaving Suwon tomorrow... you wouldn't happen to be my replacement, would you? Anyway, there are three "hubs" in the city:



Ajou Universtiy (Ajudae)

A a street or two in front of the front gates of the university. Unsurprisingly, it caters to college students, but there's some cool stuff here. You might even see some foreigners from the university. Barket is a "self-service" bar right past KFC. It's a pretty chilled out place to go have a few beers and chat. You grab your beers from the fridge and then bring the bottles to the register when you're done.

Woody's is a small mom-and-pop fast food burger joint along the same road. There is also a Lotteria and a Subway in the area.

I think there's still a Lao Bar there, too, but it's usually a little dead.



Ingye-dong
Suwon's downtown district. There is a big mall movie theater complex called Cinepark that has a CGV theater inside which usually shows one English movie. One block behind the theater there is a street that runs parallel to the main street that is full of bars.

Rhythm and Booze is a popular newcomer that serves (somewhat pricey, but good) western food and (normally priced) drinks. They have live shows every so often (last one was a kickass metal band, Metalcrux), free pool, and pay-to-play darts.

맥주뚜껑 (maekju dduggeong) is another self-service bar with a nice vibe and a dartboard. Their logo is a yellow laughing bottle cap, and they're on the third or fourth floor, right above Bulldog.

Diagonally across from Rhythm and Booze is 맥주광, yet another self-service place, which is a bit quieter. Their logo is a winged beer bottle.

A new Bulldog just opened in the area. I've heard second-hand that it's rasta themed, but that the drinks aren't cheap.

Finally, there are an abundance of soju houses and hofs here. No surprise.

There is a big park with running track in Ingyedong right behind the KBS TV studio. On the top floor of Cinepark, there is a very nice gym, but they charge about $100 per month, though my friend was able to talk them down.



Suwon Station
This is where all the Korean teens and college kids hang out. There are about a million places to drink, but most of them are Korean-type clubs (where you sit under a speaker and flashing lights at a sleek dark table listening to blasting K-pop or crappy American top 40 stuff) or traditional soju house places.

As mentioned above, there's Sam Ryan's. Foreigners from all crowds (military, engineers, teachers) come there, as well as a lot of Koreans. The food quality varies highly from visit to visit, though it seems to be gradually getting worse. It's a good place to drink and be raucous, though.

I was never much into Lao Bar, but from what I remember it's your typical Korean-type club.

Finally, there's Bulldog. The owner, JK, is a really cool guy, and if he likes you he might let you try some of his home-spiced vodka (ask for apple cinnamon!). They have a computer where you can select songs, a beer pong table, and a jenga set, all for free. It's a bit pricey, but a nice spot after midnight, when all the army guys have gone home.



Paldalmun/Nammun

The draw here is the Big Chill. The owner, Ed, is a sincerely nice guy with a mind like a steel trap. The bar is pretty chill (hah) and drink prices are good. They have trivia on alternating Thursday nights, usually starting around 10PM. There's also free pool and darts. This bar is frequented mostly by English teachers and some college profs, though there are military guys there sometimes. A good place to meet new people in Suwon.[/u]


...and that's most of what I learned in my year here. Hope it helps!

[MiXX]

Great info Dao,

What about Yeongtong, is that the Paldalmun area?

From what I gathered online, the only club in Suwon is Tao at Suwon Station.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANF2LJG4AkE

Is that what you meant by Lao Bar or is it a different place?

[Son Deureo!]

No, but they're both in the Suwon Station area.

Bar Lao is a bar with a pool table, jukebox, darts, and fire shows. They get a mixed crowd.

Club Tao is what you saw in the video.

[modernseoul]

Yeongtong is the most Eastern are of Suwon, where a large amount of native teachers both live and work.
It has a few expat bars and well as many restaurants and other things to see and do.
I personally lived there for over a year (2009-10) and really enjoyed it and even meet my wife (a native Suwoner) whilst living there.

I will say however that these I've heard it a little quieter has a number of hagwons have closer/moved, and so now central parts of Suwon and around the Station (Sam Ryan's mainly) are the more happening areas.

Check out the Facebook groups mentioned above for events and tips on Suwon life. Good luck.

[MiXX]

Where is Club Tao in Suwon Station?

Went last night and all I could find is bars.

[Drew10]

Walk down the pedestrian strip, pass the batting cages (are they still batting cages?).

It will be on your left. If I remember correctly it has a multi color changing sign that either says Tao or Club Tao. It's easy to miss if you're not carefully looking for it.

[MiXX]

Someone told me it isnt much of a club anymore. More of a sit down with friends on couches type of place with a tiny dance floor.

Is there a new american top 40 / hip hop club in Suwon St. that has took its place?

[Drew10]

The last time I went there it was still a club. I didn't see any couches.

You could also take a trip to Ingye-Dong and check out Crazy Duck. I've never been there but from what I understand it's a dance type place (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

[MiXX]

You know where the Crazy Duck is in Ingeydong?

[Drew10]

The only time I've seen it, I randomly found it while walking around. I know it's not far from the CGV theater in Ingye-Dong, and near a 7-11, but that's all I can really tell you.

[Sheen]

Bulldogs have been hosting a lot of really cool events recently... with cheap drink deals...... Last Saturday night it was 15000W for all you can drink cocktails all night - the week before was free beer all night!!!.....

Their first branch is right by Suwon Stn Exit 1 if you walk up the strip a little its on your right... they have a really close knit staff who create this unique friendly atmosphere, ....... and if you order 10 shots/its your birthday/you ask nicely they do a fire show!! .... plus of course beer pong and Jenga

The new branch in Ingyedong has a cool new design... its on the main 'bar' strip behind CGV with pool table, darts and the same computer system where you can put on whatever music you like for free with plenty of space to dance or sit n chill.

I wouldn't call it pricey if im honest........
Draft Cass - [b]3000w[/b] which is the cheapest in Suwon as far as Im aware ...
Cocktail Mixers (Jack and Coke�etc) are 5000w!
Sangria - 3000w with fresh fruit!
Also Heineken and Guinness fresh out of the tap!!!

JK (the owner) hosted a lot of birthday/cocktail/free beer all night partys recently and he will be hosting the Suwon Hump Day Social's 2nd year anniversary on Wednesday (19th Sept) which is an ideal place to meet suwon veterans and newbies who meet up once a month after pay day for hump day dinner and drinks. ......

Here's the facebook page where you can check out all the photos from the recent event shenanigans.
https://www.facebook.com/BulldogSuwon

and I highly recommend if you're a newbie (or anyone really...) you join this page for Suwon's Hump Day Social Club, particulary the Sept dinner which is welcoming a lot of new sept teachers...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/suwonhumpday/?ref=ts

and I agree Suwon Newbies is a very useful group on Facebook created by a lovely lady.

[Sheen]

From what Ive seen and heard gyms here can be quite pricey compared to back home (England) ....Its best to try to find community centres compared to chain gyms like Life Sports Suwon which was over 80000w a month

The cheapest one I found was on the road between Suwon Station and SeoSuwon Bus Terminal (In the middle) 수인로.
It's like a community centre with a swimming pool too and it was about 40000W a month I think..
Theres also a new Gym at Seoho park near the church which is also roughly 40000a month.

Im not 100% sure but I think Manseok Park has facilities for Tennis etc.... there is a skate park and not far from their is Suwon Sports Stadium which probably has facilities you can use too.

Yeah the fortress is obviously the highlight of sightseeing in Suwon - although going in the day and at night Ive found to be two different experiences (night is so beautiful and quiet) but also the Folk Village is not far from YeongTong too.

Gwangyosan and Chilbosan are great and easy mountains to hike.
I particularly like Gwangyosan area because theres a couple of beautiful lakes there and farms and delicious restaurants all nearby... Its nice to get away from being surrounded by apartment buildings and its only about 15mins bus ride from Suwon Station.

Hope that helps a little...