Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cellphone]

Live in Seoul but thinking of going down to Pusan for a weekend plus maybe couple of weekdays, probably go down by Korail train and while there want to keep costs as low as possible. Heard you can not only wash up and relax but can even sleep at sauna and/or "jimjilbang(?)" type places. Never been to any. Looked in the FAQ forum but none of the threads really answered exactly what I was thinking about specifically.

First of all does Pusan overall also have a good number of sauna/rest places like Seoul does pretty much everywhere there is city life, that usually cost 7000 won or less? Will want to look into the nightlife, perhaps Pusan Natl Univ area and Haeundae beach, think they also have them there? Anyone on this board in Pusan or commuted there?

Lastly, you can actually get some sleep in those places or are they generally noisy or otherwise sleep is uncomfortable?

Can you stay in one as long as you like or do they want you out within a few hours? Well that's 4 questions. I might do a night in a yogwan but wanna keep costs down. I figure do a night in a hotel and then when I do the nightlife thing just sleep it off in the morning & noon at some sauna, which might actually match well with nightlife perhaps. Thanks for any answers.

[chronicpride]

The best sauna in Korea is not far from PNU. More on that here:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=12889&start=15

It's not 24 hours, but has a sleeping room.

The only jimjilbang that I've ever stayed at while in Busan, is the one that you see to the right of Busan Station, upon exiting the building. I've stayed at so many in this country, that I can't recall exactly, but I believe they had bunkbeds at that one. Many places, you sleep on floors.

Virtually every Korean city has them. You won't have any problem finding one, especially around big intersections near PNU. Just ask a local.

Can you get a good sleep? After a night of drinking, yes. If you can handle sleeping on ondol floors with nothing but a blanket, and snoring Koreans, you'll be fine.

As for how long, they come around now and then and shake the leg of people that have stayed there for awhile, but that's usually for longer than 10-12 hrs. My friends and I usually sleep until 12 or 1, shower and leave.

Jimjilbangs are the best, cheapest alternative to yeogwans. If I don't have a girl with me, there's no way in god's name that I'd stay at a 25-30,000won yeogwon, vs the 7000won jimjilbangs. Not very practical, IMO.

[cellphone]

alright. Not completely sure if I'll make it down there this weekend, it's up in the air, but I really want to. Right now I am in between jobs, and am kind of thinking the stress and concern of finding a new job is kind of weighing on my mind, it might be better to hook up with something first then try and get a few days off and go down there, being more freeminded. On the one hand there seem to be plenty of ad's in the job forums (both full time and privates) but on the other it might not be wise to relax until after work is found.

Hopefully I could walk to that particular place from the pnu area. but if not sounds like there could be a few more around as I was once in PNU and it looks fairly populated with businesses.

the other predicament I'm thinking about is I'll have to take a full backpack with a few days clothes and therefore where I would put the thing if and when I went clubbing. Guess just have to keep it by my side, hope bar personnel don't mind....

Last year when I went to Pusan by Korail they had 19,000 won tickets for the 5 hour train. However took a faster 4 hour train on the way back up for like 32,000 won but it was not only quicker but was way nicer (numerous tv screens, reclining seats, nicer bathrooms, think I even saw car attendants and the like. the lower one was purely discount all the way). Anyone take a bus and if so was it a nicer ride? Any prices?

[chronicpride]

Jimjilbangs will often let you keep stuff there, behind the desk, while you're out. Just ask. It's never been a problem for me, and I've had suitcases, sometimes.