Korean Job Discussion Forums

tombirner · Joined: 19 Dec 2007

Yup. It's not my style, really... in that I loathe hip hop and its image or the culture it represents. Kind of a hipster/rocker type.

But Itaewon has life. Tons of different ethnicities and characters and types, with everybody (from what I could tell) getting along fine. I find it less clique-ier than a place like Hongdae. People are really approachable and outgoing and uninhibited. I've met several women there, and despite their reputation in Itaewon, the last one turned out to be really great.

Great restaurants, too. Anyone want to help me stick up for Itaewon? By the way, I don't live in Seoul (but am moving there in November), so maybe that's part of it... only go there once a month or so.

crusher_of_heads · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 7:01 pm Post subject:

Itsewon's reputation and realitydon't match up.

I far prefer Itaewon over Hongdae.

sojourner1 · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 7:14 pm Post subject:

I like Itaewon to get a break from being too sparkled while out in Korea on extended stay, but visits home more often than once a year would be just right. Itaewon offers an international tourist atmosphere where there are western clothing shopping and dining options possible. Expect much less of this when the US Army moves out. I don't feel so awkward and out of place when in Itaewon like I do in the rest of the sparkling boredom, but it's kinda severly lacking in comparison to other tourist venues around the world.

Itaewon has some great restaurants as compared to the rest of this sparkling land I've laid my eyes and feet on.

PINI · Joined: 14 Jun 2007

I like Itaewon and have lived there for a few years. In that time I have noticed a more and more relaxed vibe and even a lot more Koreans frequenting the area. There has been a lot of recent investment and development in the town and also a big change in attitude about the place (amongst Koreans anyway, foreigners here will nag regardless)

But it seems that it all might be in vein. With this new, extended, 3am curfew for soldiers, I can already sense that the town will start to fall back into that debaucherous sh*t-hole that everyone loves to hate.

I guess the hookers are happy though.

Peace.

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

I don't mind Itaewon during the day: I like to get some middle Eastern food and other international foods, English books and magazines, and see a more diverse population.

However I stay FAR from it at night. Enough said.

seoulsucker · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject:

I have a short list of places that I like, and stay away from the rest like the plague. If you can wade through the trash there really are some gems.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

I don't like Itaewon much but I'm moving to that area anyway. It's where all my friends go/live!

kiknkorea · Joined: 16 May 2008

It's OK for clothes/souvenir shopping and maybe a meal. Su*ks otherwise. As ciccone said; stay away from at night.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I like Itaewon for the restaurants and the food shopping. I don't hang out there or in Hongdae because I prefer not to hang out with other foreigners too much. I did that when I lived at home.

Janny · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Location: all over the place

Ah, Itaewon. What's wrong with gettin a little DIRTY now and then? My verdict? Love it, for the (occasional) diversion I really need as I try to make it in Korea.

Join Me · Joined: 14 Jan 2008

I need it once in a while...so it is my savior. I am all for it. I enjoy walking around there and staring shamelessly at people that don't look like me.

Nowhere Man · Joined: 08 Feb 2004

I think people go through phases with the place. There's this one phase where you must despise it to show how cool you are.

I like Itaewon AND Khaosan Road! Shocked

tefain · Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Location: Not too far out there

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Now days, all the GI guys hangout in HongDae all night.

So, by default, Itaewon is becoming the more interesting place.

Justin Hale · Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Location: the Straight Talk Express

A strong opinion about Itaewon, extremely positive or extremely negative, suggests the observer has led a very sheltered life (many TEFL folks in Korea are rural Canadian hicks, so that could explain it). The reason is obvious: Itaewon, if it was in a Western city, would be an incredibly run-of-the-mill suburb. If you'd traveled well, in the West let alone the world, you'd know that Itaewon is remarkable for how unremarkable it is. Other than the prostitution, there's hardly any criminality and it is not remotely dangerous.

I don't yearn to live there, but wouldn't vehemently object.

If I meet someone and they have a strong opinion about Itaewon, either always seem to be there or never go at all, my douchebagometer goes nuts. Itaewon is good for a night out occasionally, for an occasional kebab or a curry (and there are some great men's shoe shops), but more than occasionally and the chances are you're an intolerable douchebag. But also, if you're of the "I can't stand it; I never go" persuasion, then the likelihood of you achieving success and happiness anywhere in the world outside of a 10-mile radius from where you were born is low.