Korean Job Discussion Forums

bobbyhanlon · Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Location: 서울

well.. it's where the money is. however, this does not compensate for the fact that it is totally lacking in class, interesting architecture or culture. sadly i have to live there, to be near my workplace.
personally i love ��û��, in the north of seoul. lots of interesting stuff around there.

Atkinson · Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Location: Land of the Golden Twist-tie

Gwangjuboy · Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Location: England

Daechidong Waygookin

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Jongno is a lot more eclectic and Itaewon more vibrant. For partying, Hongdae/Ehwa/Sinchon are more down to earth. I will grant that the architecture is a tad more aesthetically pleasing than most areas of Seoul, and there are hot girls there like you wouldn't believe -- but they're probably also a lot less eclectic, vibrant, and down to earth compared to the rest of Seoul's women.

Sparkles*_*

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 5:09 am Post subject:

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

uberscheisse · Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Location: japan is better than korea.

skimilk · Joined: 18 Mar 2005

Stayed in the neighborhood for a couple months a few years back, never understood the fascination. Expensive, yes, but other than that, not much to do or see.

Seoul didn't bother me, thought it was clean enough, but that may have to do with the fact that I grew up in NYC...

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

I live in Kangnam for a reason...

keithinkorea · Joined: 17 Mar 2004

Kangnam (not KD nothing against you!) is boring, expensive and dull. If you like boring expensive and dull then it's the place for you!

It is also too damn busy, there are huge crowds all the time. It reminds me of Oxford street in London, with worse mannered people, worse shopping, no good watering holes and the half decent ones are ridiculously overpriced. The only reason to go there is the bookshop, but it's little better than other large bookstores that carry English language books.

Itaewon and Hongdea are far better for shopping, food, bars and a generally more interesting and less wallet violating experience.

There are some other areas too with interesting stuff going on, the Insadong street has some cool stuff such as the Nagwon arcade and a few very interesting cultural things. Some of the markets around Namdaemun and the whole Jongru area are interesting.

Seoul needs more litter bins....

Zyzyfer · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 7:56 pm Post subject:

I gotta second the Jongno nod. Itaewon and Hongdae are alright, but they're imbalanced in what they offer. It's not all about being on the sauce; availability to culture, movies, plays, musical performances, so on. Hongdae is a big dance club with restaurants and Itaewon is an alcoholic pit (which is fine).

The last time I walked around Jongno, though, I realized that it looks like a place where there's a lot to do and has a very distinct "Korea" feeling to it, despite the skyscrapers. Gangnam feels like yuppie-ville to me.

Mashimaro · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: location, location

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I am another one who never really 'got' the Kangnam thing.

When I lived in Sillim-dong.. I was about equidistant from Jongno, Itaewon, Hongdae/Shinchon and Kangnam.

During that year.. I went to Jongno 25+ times.. HongDae/Shinchon 50+ times.. Itaewon 50+ times.. and Kangnam I went to 3 times thinking that I was missing something by not going there only to remind myself why I never go there.

Its REALLY boring and VERY overpriced. The few places that are good are pathetic compared to where you can go elsewhere. The Woodstock and XXX Club the two only ones I think are half remotely worthy of going - and they really aren't worth it unless you live in Kangnam or with someone who absolutely insists you go there.

For shopping or walking around.. its just overpriced.. why would I want to go to Kangnam to play expensive billiards or drink an overpriced juice when I can do that anywhere in Korea?