Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wokstar]

Hello,

I'm planning on going to Korea in the fall to teach english, and leaning towards Busan/Pusan. I have read posts here on Dave's about the nightlife, foriegn community etc. There seems to be a mixed view on this (such as nightlife is boring or great). But would like some more opinoins.

I'm the type of person who loves socializing and meeting new people frequently. I don't have to be in the most happening nightclub on the town to do so either. (I live in Ottawa, not the most happening city). But if i'm surrounded by some cool people, then I always have a great time.

I did some searching and came across a few bars:
Vinyl Underground
Basement
the Dallas
Soul Trane
Over 21's

And yes I do like to go and drink! haha. (and get along with drinkers quite well too ). Yet, I don't mind being a regular at certain bars, clubs..etc..

With this being said....how is the social scene in Busan? (good variety of bars? happening places? regular scene?)

thanks

[lastat06513]

The nightlife in Korea is what you make of it~
It can the most fascinating place with many lively things to see or the boring place where you regret ever stepping foot in, it is all in what you make of it.

I live in Seoul for the obvious reason of making money, but I can honestly say Busan is an awesome place to live. Its got a small town atmosphere for a big city and the people seemed friendlier than the people in Seoul.

The nightlife for expats, I saw alot of bars around the BNU area, even one that had live amateur bands playing.

And across the street from Busan Railroad station, there is a place called "Texas Street", there are tons of clubs there, though they tend to cater to Russians.

I think the best thing to do once you get here is just get out an explore the city and if you see someone, just go up and talk to them and get as much info out of them as you can.

[just because]

Busan is really good......can a little bit clique some of the time but there are some awesome people to meet...

Vinyl underground would be my fav but the DJ can be shockingly bad at times...one of them plays old school hip hop that is just terrible.....

Also there is a Irish bar called O'briens off Gaya subway station that is a rocking little joint...awesome owner as well

[bobbyhanlon]

i used to live near busan. foxy and vinyl are alright, but get a bit boring after a while, and soul trane can be quite nice for a few drinks. i would say generally that the foreigners down there are less weird and more likeable than the ones in seoul (although there are still plenty of freaks), and the local koreans are great. there's a good music scene too, from what i can remember. also, go to haeundae, thats a great place. if i could persuade my boss to move our office there, i would.
if you want to venture out from busan sometimes, go to changwon. theres some good bars there, like o'briens and international pub. even though its a relatively small place, those two places are always rocking and again the locals are cool.
so anyway... you can definitely have a good time in busan- the main places are the university areas (PNU, and Kyungsan/Pukyeong Dae) plus haeundae. don't feel you need to be in seoul to have a good time.

[just because]

[waggo]

For anyone thats interested there used to be a very underground Korean rock bar in Nampodong (seedy smokey and full of some very strange koreans)...well theyve decided to come above ground and have moved the bar to Texas street (just off the main drag)....its called Woodstock ....check it out!

[wokstar]

I like that bobby...u dont need to be in Seoul to have a good time. I think this board is very heavily set on it though.

Thanks for the tips guys, I will definitely have to check out O'Briens. My friend told me about some cool Jazz bar too, sounds fun.


Busan......watch out! Here I come! haha

[Hyalucent]

Is the IP still open in Changwon? I heard it closed down.

[chaq]

went to Busan last weekend and did the club hoppin' there on Friday nite (pay one cover, and get entry to all the clubs) Its pretty lively, Vinyl has many foreigners there but it was pretty dead, music wasn't too bad, just a sparse crowd (gotta go on a Sat nite). Also went to a club called Foxy, place was packed but my friends and I couldn't move when we got inside the place.

as for the other aspects of Busan, the big city size with the small town feel is definitely right. Haeundae beach is pretty kewl too. also, since its by the sea, its much cooler than cities like Seoul and Daegu where I am now.

[davyteacher]

O'briens off Gaya Subway Station in Busan.

[Cymro]

[white_shadow]

The nightlife in major cities can be great as long as you can speak some Korean. I like the bigger cities because they have a hipper younger crowd. I usually go out to the more upscale and modern places. I find the crowd a little better there.

It's great because you can find some cool places to hangout within short walking distance of your home. Kind of like NY or Seattle.

But other than hanging out and meeting girls/people, the nightlife is limited if you're a foreigner. Not much dancing that I've found, not much bands playing (I wouldn't listen to them anyways), and stuff.

But I've haven't been to Busan.

[just because]

[Hyalucent]

That's cool. Thanks for correcting me. I'd love to take a trip back someday and check it out again. I closed that bar plenty of times in my year + there.