Korean Job Discussion Forums

Catullus · Joined: 09 Apr 2008

I am a newbie coming to Korea, and I am sorting through many job offers at the moment. The location of the school is important to me, but it is often hard for me to determine if one location is better than another. I have been using the interactive subway map for metro Seoul, and many of the stations seem to be about 30-50 minutes from all of the areas that are popular with foreigners that I have read so much about on this board�Gangnam, Sinchon, Hongdae, Itaewon. However, it may be too far to head over to those areas after I get out of work at 10pm. (Yes, I plan to go out after work and have a few drinks with other young people. It may not be noble, but that's what I like to do.)

My question is this: If one were to work in an area like Gasan Digital Complex Station, or Olympic Park Station, or somewhere up in Nowongu, would it be easy to find areas where other young people are hanging out? I would like to meet new people and be social. I fear becoming isolated in a foreign country.

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

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

If nightlife at all, week day or what ever, is a priority, I wouldn't bother with Nowon. That northeast of Seoul is massive and subway/taxi journeys are long. There are plenty of foreigners up there and they have their own bit of a scene, I'm led to believe, but I've never fancied it.

anyangoldboy · Joined: 28 Sep 2007

Stay around the mountain ie seoul tower or around the river area...

Catullus · Joined: 09 Apr 2008

bangbayed · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Location: Seoul

Some foreigners on this board like to project.

You can make Korean friends, but it's not as easy as making foreigner friends, and it's not because of racism. Korean bars are a little different. People don't go to meet other people, they only go with people they know, and they never go alone. However, if you do approach Koreans at work or in other situations they generally are warm and friendly and very open to hanging out.

Pooty · Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Location: Ela stin agalia mou

I work at Gasan Digital Complex. It's a good 30 minutes to downtown or Itaewon, and no there's nothing around there.

i4NI · Joined: 17 May 2008 Location: Seoul

Places like Gangnam you're going to see foreignersbut it's not like theres a bunch. Usually small groups doing their own thing, where as Itaewon and Hongdae have specific foreigner hang out spots. Places like Gangnam who will be like 95% Koreans anyway.