Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BrightonChris]

Hi everyone,

I'm just getting together my application for EPIK March 2011 and wondering what the best cities are for nightlife outside of Seoul?

I have Busan as my first choice as I know it has a very good nightlife etc, however as my application is relatively late I'm doubtful that I'll get a placement there. So I'm keen to know what other cities are pretty lively to put as my 2nd/3rd choices!

Thanks.

[PRagic]

Nope, you've pretty much wrapped up the search!

[grant_steves]

Every city in this country is littered with HOFs and Norae Bangs...there will be plenty of drinking regardless of where you end up.....any city of 200,000 or more is fine.

[interestedinhanguk]

[bossface]

my 2 cents from my various travels around the peninsula (beyond Seoul and Busan)

Daegu holds it own all right. ive passed through town thrice, and ended up finding some sort of action each time.

Gwangju was a good time, though i'm pretty sure i covered every bar (not hof) in downtown Gwangju in a weekend. Gwangju is pretty isolated too.

Daejeon was kinda meh, i expected better of it for some reason.

Jeonju seemed okay, the ex-pats i met seemed pretty excited by their local scene.

Jinju had less of a bar scene than i thought it would, it was pretty boring there after sundown.

Jeju, Sokcho, and Gyeongju are all lovely places to visit, but have absolutely nothing to do at night. nobody visits these towns for the nightlife, of course, but living there would be pretty dull.

Busan probably has more going on than all of the above combined. Hongdae or Itaewon alone have more interesting bars, clubs, and restaurants than all of Busan. even the larger Seoul burbs like Bundang Suwon, and Ilsan have better nightlife than the above cities (other than Busan and Daegu).

[Fishead soup]

Dongducheong- Dong- A station. Near Camp Casey.
Similar to Angelis city in the Phillipines.

[northway]

[seoulsucker]

[rickpidero]

Incheon is close to Seoul, so you can get there easily on the weekends. And, on the weekdays it has an ok amount of real western bars.

[grant_steves]

If you're looking for nightlife even remotely similar to what you'd find in Europe or North America....then Seoul is really your own option, with Busan being passable.

Everywhere else is pretty much the same....any city over a quarter million will have at least one foreigner bar, maybe 2 or 3, and generally no clubs or anything remotely like home.

I've only lived in smaller cities here and there was always plenty to do at night on the weekend if what you're looking for is to have a good time with some cool people....but if you're looking for any sort of "scene" then you'll want to be in Seoul or Busan.

[Globutron]

[Ukon]

Whatever you do, avoid any city in gangwon-do

Unless you like your women 45 yrs. old and your club music older.
Even the hookers in my town are older than 35 yrs. old

Although I've been told it picks up supposedly around vacation season....ski & and beach bunnies along with resort night clubs....mind you I don't put much stock in that....but it's what I've heard.

EDIT: I'll also add, every one young person tries to bail to Seoul or Busan(or some other big city if they can't) after high school or college....and seems to succeed.

I suppose there is some small city in Korea(under a million) with a decent scene, alot of young people, and some cool restourants.....anybody know of one?

[northway]

[Kimchifart]

Seoul has by far the best nightlife. Hongdae is a cracking night out and a good balance of foreigners and Koreans. When I go to Busan it feels a bit parochial, but also it is definitely a decent city for nightlife. I love Thursday party on Gwangalli beach to start off, then onto somewhere a bit more lively.

[Kimchifart]