Korean Job Discussion Forums

LosSeoul · Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA

So this might be a long shot, but me and friend are coming to Seoul in a few months to teach and are really interested in finding/getting into a kind of
"counter culture" scene. I use the term very loosely as im not looking for a thread debating its definition.

Basically some kind of alternative music/club scene. I guess what one would call Hipster the scene here in LA.

We've both been to Korea before (she's actually full Korean) and have seen some evidence of this kind of stuff. Also people I know here did throw, from what I herd, a pretty successful event on NYE that is kind of close to what we have here.

In case you're wondering were interested in this sort of phenomena for a number of reasons. Not really looking to just party haha. We are both trying to do some academic research in the field.

Also were primarily looking at this in Seoul, but if you have any other info it's greatly appreciated.

conrad2 · Joined: 05 Nov 2009

"Alternatice music/club scene?" Alternative to what?

redaxe · Joined: 01 Dec 2008

One word: Hongdae.

This site has a map of all the music and arts venues in Hongdae:
http://blog.naver.com/ausefulpaper

and this site has a calendar of all the live music shows in Hongdae:
http://www.koreagigguide.com/concert-calendar/

Enjoy!

LosSeoul · Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA

EricB · Joined: 08 Sep 2007

I think "alternative to what" is precisely the question we have to ask. Sure, there are 'punk rock' (term used loosely) bands in Hongdae but do they really stand for rebellion against the Korean system and cultural norms? There is a lot to rebel against in Korean culture, but I've yet to see that represented in music. The punk scene here (from what I have seen at least) is largely derivative of what can be found in the west. It is in no way threatening to anyone or anything; basically a dress up show. In this sense- punk rock music follows (modern) Korean culture to a T
Find me a Korean who refuses to bow to his elders, or pours his own drinks even when he is in a group. I'm sure it happens, but culture has this country locked down a lot tighter than any western country.

lille · Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Location: Seoul

On the fuzzy margins between Hongdae and Sincheon there's a bit more of an alt presence. Feel free to have your friend contact me and I'll pass along what I know.

redaxe · Joined: 01 Dec 2008

Tycho Brahe · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Location: Suwon, SK

there really isn't much but these guys are working at hard at changing that;

http://supercolorsuper.com/

they're trying to change the nature of venues and bookings so that korea can develop some kind of music circuit outside of the hongdae area by trying out interesting ideas for gigs (some modelled on the wham city scene) and getting ''hipster'' bands like yacht and nosaj thing to play here.

The Goalie · Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Location: Chungcheongnamdo

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

lovebug · Joined: 29 Apr 2009

http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=85980836100
http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=2373198768
http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=80911932047
http://www.facebook.com/#/CrackingTheCity?ref=ts

The Goalie · Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Location: Chungcheongnamdo

conrad2 · Joined: 05 Nov 2009

I have a Korean friiend who eats kimchee only once a day as opposed to three times. And I have some high school students who limit their studying to 5 hours a day instead of 10. These people are rebels, alternative. They are shaking the foundations of Korean society.

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

Hongdae and Sinchon are the only places in Seoul I have seen anything approaching what we might consider counter-culture, but the other poster was right in saying that it isn't really a counter culture, but rather a sub culture. In Hyewha you might find an alt scene if you look hard enough. 'Alternative' is acutally a defined scene. It's not meant in the true sense of the word, as in 'different from something else'. It's like defining pop music by what happens to be popular at the time. There's just 'pop'.

And I realize the OP doesn't want this to be a 'definition' thread, but hipster is hardly counter-culture, unless you consider 40% of the American media counter culture. It's like being a raver in 1995 and pretending it's still underground. Or getting a tatoo. Fun, but let's be honest.

LosSeoul · Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA

Thanks for all the replies and resources. Definitely going to help out.

As I stated before Im really going to try to stay out of the argument of what is counter culture just for the sake of this thread. I understand that it means a lot of different things to a lot of people and that it is a very convoluted phrase.

But thanks a lot to all the poster that were able to both acknowledge that, but at the same time realize what I was looking for and genuinely tried to help us out.

Keep 'em coming! Anyone have any pictures...?

As for the "hipster" aspect of some kind of underground in Korea take a look at these...there basically photos that a friend of LA through on New Years Eve. (if you're interested of course) Anyone hear anything about this? Was it widely advertised?

http://www.thecobrasnake.com/partyphotos/seoulsearching/index.html