Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CustomX]

I have a job offer for that area, but im kind of hesitant to taking it. Everything looks to be ok in the offer, but it seems kind of far from central Seoul. Im estimating about 40 minutes on the subway. This seems a little far for me. I know this may seem stupid to a lot of you older folk, but I am ready to turn down the offer if this area does not have a great night life. Im young, 23, and looking to enjoy the 1 year I plan on being in Seoul. If any of you could share your personal experience with this area it would be greatly appreciated. THanks

[Son Deureo!]

What subway station is it near? Gus are pretty big places.

[CustomX]

I havent been told the station its near. I am supposed to hear back from the recruiter tonight. Are you able to provide a general answer for the area? I really wish I could fly to Korea on my own and find a place but im really short on $

[Swiss James]

Ahhh Kangso-gu. I used to live near Hwagok station which is in that area- basically there's not much going on around there, I used to go to one bar or another which was fine for a drink with friends but not what you'd call a social scene.
HOWEVER
it's in West Seoul, and you can get a taxi to Hongdae (big nightlife area) for around 6,000 won, would probably take around 20 minutes depending on traffic. I certainly wouldn't turn down a good job in that area just because there's no nightlife on your doorstep, transport is cheap in Korea.

[CustomX]

thanks for the help. imma wait to hear back on these 3 other jobs which are closer to where I would like to be: jamsil, songpa and apgujeong in kangnamgu. what area would you recommend for the best night life? i dont mind going to bars, but i really enjoy clubbing and going to places with trance, drum and bass, jungle, all that techno music.

[Swiss James]

well I don't know of any nightlife in Jamsil, I'm sure there is some, but it's not well known for it- I guess you'd be near the nights they put on at Walker Hill, but these are maybe 3 times a year. Songpa is around the same area- I think you might feel more cut off there than in Gangseo-gu (you could see this spelling and kangso-gu/kangso-ku to describe the same area).

Apkujong has a lot of clubs, they can be expensive and it's known as an area for people with money, but the music can be good and you'll get some of what you fancy.

For techno, d'n'b and trance, I'd have to say the best area would be Hongdae (Hong-Ik university subway station), which is west Seoul on the green line- Apkujong isn't a million miles away, and subways/taxis are cheap, but Kangso-gu is probably a little bit closer.

Check this map of the subway, Apkujong is below the river, slightly east of centre on the orange line, Gangseo-gu would include a few stations on line 5, Ujangsan, Balsan, Songjeong...

[bucheon bum]

It depends. THere are some parts that are more isolated and further away from central Seoul than Bucheon, which is squeezed between Incheon and Seoul. It would take you forever to get to Gangnam and Jamshil, but not too bad to Jongno or Itaewon.

I went through it often when taking the bus from Yeongdeungpo to Bucheon. Seemed like a boring area for the most part. I'd choose Bundang, Ilsan, and yes, even Bucheon, over it.

[CustomX]

Sorry for my ignorance in asking this, but where do you consider central Seoul to be? I have been researching jobs and the seoul area for months, but I keep getting different areas. I would like to be as close to the action (aka I like downtown areas with lots of activity) as possible but I dont mind living maybe 20 minutes away via subway. I was told that I count the # of stops on the subway map and multiply by 2 i can get an estimated time of travel from point to point. Is this reasonable to assume? I am kind of unfamiliar with where most clubs/bars are in Seoul. I dont mind travelling to where the bars, etc. are, but 40 minutes seems to be a bit too far. Thanks for all the info so far

[Son Deureo!]

[bucheon bum]

40 minutes isn't that bad. Just have the newspaper or a book to read and it flies. The only time I hated it was early sunday evenings when the subways were packed with families and I was burnt out from the weekend.

As for the 2-minute rule between stations, that applies to line #2, less so with the other lines, especially the further you go out.

Son Deureo gave a good description of central Seoul.

[rapier]

This creases me every time. Newbies wanting jobs near to nightclubs...where's the action? etc..haha..this is korea! You are limited to 2 places! itaewon or Hongdae! And then, a handful of nightclubs where Koreans who can speak English hang out. You can dance like a dervish, but if you can't speak decent Korean you ain't going anywhere with that chik... happened to me plenty. The furtive glance across the dance floor, the bump, the shuffle, the smiles, the grinding..the first dumb attempts at pidgin Korean.. the dissapointment when she starts to realise you can't speak her language properly..the drop, like a hot potato..
Stick to chasing the westerners in Geckos (yes, there's only one main foreigner bar in the whole country),Or learn Korean rapidly so you can mix it with Koreans.

6000 won for a taxi from Hwagok to the "centre?" thats a little optimistic isn't it?.

if an exciting nightlife is your priority, stay home where you are mate.

[Swiss James]

[rapier]

Sure there are plenty foreigner bars in Itaewon and Hongdae..the two waeguk ghettoes. Away from that, not much. I have one luckily in Incheon... but there aren't many. Plenty of "western bars" with neon cowboys on the sign, but no English speakers inside..or maybe just 2 or 3 waeguks once a month, occasionally.

I'm just saying...plenty new people come here expecting a continuation of their uni/student lifestyle, only getting paid for it this time.. if you want that, teach in Bangkok, not Korea.
10 bars" is no big deal for the entire country of Korea. Hell, I can name ten western bars in a square 100 yards of the town I lived in england.

[Swiss James]

[bosintang]