Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Anyone seen or know of any good Filipina bands that play in Seoul?

Seoultrader · Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Location: Ali's Insurgent Inn, Fallujah

1. Hunter's Tavern at the Intercontinental Hotel in Samsung-dong. They do some good covers and the gals are cute.

2. Novotel - haven't been there in about 6 months so a new rotation should have arrived by now. Always been good though.

Pretty much any 5-star will have Filipina musicians of some sort, usually in the cocktail bars.

3. Navy Club on Yongsan if you have a base pass or a friend with an ID card. but the drawback is the GI monkey clientele. Band is quite good.

richinkorea · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2003 6:37 am Post subject:

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Hard Rock Cafe in Apujeong has a really great filipino band that often plays there in the evenings.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

richinkorea · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2003 8:16 am Post subject:

TB, Novotel is in Kangnam, Inter-Con is at Samsong station in Chungdam-dong, both pretty close to SNU (3-4 stops ?)

The Novotel is up the hill from Kangnam station, next to the Ritz. The Gran-A is on the ground floor and has the Phillipino bands. Beers are a bit pricey, but suit and tie definately not required, though many of the Koreans will be wearing them. I've hung out with army guys, doctors, diplomats, business men, and teachers at the Gran-A. Remember Aqua ? (barbie girl) met one of the dudes in the elevator, he's smoking a cig, we talk, end up partying the rest of the night. Also lots of guys just working on projects in Korea, not a bad place to network if you are interested in getting out of the hagwon. Shit, I feel like I've spilled the beans now........

It really used to be a great spot, though I haven't been in a while. I started every night out there for about a year so maybe I'm biased. Monday night is dark, Thursdays can be good, along with the weekends (just plan on taking a cab after the band quits if you wish to continue partying) take a shower and wear a collar shirt with slacks if you wish to dress up.

The bar at the Inter-Con is also on the ground floor. Maybe a little more classier than the Novotel (shower and a shave !). The Inter-Con is near the COEX, I think they have built another hotel there so I'm not sure which one ST is talking about, I used to go to the original one.

Beers are about 9,000 won for domestic draft, drink up first and sip inside. Many an afterhour party after the bands finish. the phillipino band members come over for the same reason as many others, they can save some money and experience a new culture. They usually live together in an average apartment and work 6 days a week for sometimes crappy conditions. They are open to meeting people for sure, I also know of another guy who married hsi wife from the same band.

I'm interested to know how things go so if anyones makes the attempt at these places please give me a shout.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I know this is going to be a goofy question.. but what subway stop is CO-EX?

Generally, I seem to stick closer to Shinchon/HongDae.. even though this time around I'm living kind of near Seoul National University..

Also, just curious.. any good hotel bars or anywhere where filipinas play that would be somewhere between the SNU to Jongno to Shinchon/HongDae triangle??

I am definetely interested in the Kangnam ones as well.. its just not an area that I tend to go too.. so getting some friends to join me.. or doing a solo mission isn't as likely.. although I am interested in the information..

Seoultrader · Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Location: Ali's Insurgent Inn, Fallujah

Richinkorea- yeah, I meant the original Grand Intercontinental right next to the Hyundai Dept. store. The new one is the COEX Intercontinental, which is just 200 meters behind it.

Tiger - if ya like, come on out with me one of these days. To answer your dress code question - expat clientele is mostly relaxed khaki/poloshirt types, whereas the Koreans are a bit more formal. I'm usually in suit as well but just because I'm too lazy to go home and change.

1 question: in my original post, the filter censored the following:

Pretty much any 5-star will have Filipina musicians of some sort, usually in the *beep* bars. That "beep," as far as I recall, was c-o-c-ktail bars. WTF?

Dr. Buck · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: Land of the Morning Clam

But why Filipina(o) bands?
What's up with the Korea facination about that? Just one more "exotic" waygook to get weird about, just like Russian "entertainers," 3D worker-slaves--I mean, "industrial trainees," and English teachers.

How do the Filipino's fare in terms of cash and dealings? I have a suspicion that their gripes would rival those posted here.

And another point, where are the Korean singers or bands?

What a F@@@@d-up country! What's next? Importing Paupa New Guinea pigmies for taekwondo sparring partners?
Or inviting over Eskimos/Inuit for sled races at Youngpyoung Ski resort?

Seoultrader · Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Location: Ali's Insurgent Inn, Fallujah

Dr. Buck,

There's no "fascination" factor. They're cheaper than the equivalent Korean singer, dancer, or 3D worker. Plain and simple. (although in the case of bands, I think Philipinos generally do have a very strong natural musical inclination that comes across in their performances)

So instead of the boringly standard "This is such a fu___d up country" line, howbout admitting that they're just taking advantage of something most nations in the same position already do and have done for eons?

By the way, beautiful "leper" reply on the vegetarian post.

richinkorea · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2003 9:14 pm Post subject:

Hmmm,

Along with what ST said regrding the bands, one of the most obvious is because they sing in English, important for an international hotel. It's quite the industry in the Phillipines, there are bands all over Asia from the PI. The band I knew had worked in both China and Malaysia before.

My friends got about $2,000 a month, plus a shared apartment, and one meal a day at the hotel. They worked 6 nights a week though, finishing between 1-2, plus they were just plain good. Money earned. Check 'em out, not a bad way to spend a few hours.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I was out with some friends Saturday evening and saw a very small two-member filipina band play at the Royal Hotel in Myong-Dong.. not bad.. but not the greatest environment.. basically singing in the restaurant..

I also went over the Chostin-Westin after the Royal Hotel.. also in Myeong-Dong.. (as I was in the neighborhood), however, didn't see a band.. I was somewhat accosted by a very old women in thick makeup and a slick black dress trying to get me to buy her a drink.. I declined.. looked for a band and see about the patrons.. wasn't happening.. or I wasn't in the right area..

Anyhow, Novotel & Hunter's Tavern & Inter-Con (Co-ex), will definetely take Seoul Trader up on one of those places soon.. sounds good.. seems like I just have to definetely drink enough beer before going in so I don't have to at the steep prices!