Korean Job Discussion Forums

[VanIslander]

That grimmest concrete jungle in a dirtbowl.

Twice I heard it referred to as "Dystopia Daegu" in an Arirang commercial.

Finally I actually looked at the t.v. screen the third time the ad played: "Biz Topia Daegu" is the campaign.

Dystopia Daegu it will remain, for me, and now maybe for you too.

EDIT: The pictures are removed because this thread was supposed to be about a TELEVISION COMMERCIAL. Have you seen it? Isn't the sound of the slogan almost like I'd thought. The soft Korean 'b' pronunciation is almost a 'd' (or p, indistinct).

[nev]

Thank-you for your constructive words.

Few who live in Daegu would claim it to be the greatest work of God or man; however it has plenty in its favour.


The first photo (the subway disaster) is hardly indicative of daily life, the second photo is typically Korean, not merely Daegu. It is no more or less concrete than any other major Korean city.

[Corporal]

Daegu is better than Seoul because...

it's smaller.

[cruisemonkey]

Daegu is better than Changnyeong because...

it's bigger.

[bobbyhanlon]

damn right. i've been just about everywhere in korea and have yet to see a place as grey and depressing. having only spent a couple of days there i'm sure it must have some redeeming features, but sadly i never saw any of them.

[RACETRAITOR]

Seoul is better than Daegu because...it's closer to Seoul.

[coffeeman]

I'll agree. It ain't much to look at. They have a canal running though the city. I think it has only about 2 feet of water running through it. Hardly an object of beauty. Rather depressing. Yet, Daegu people think their city compares with Seoul. I'll be more than half of them have never been to Seoul.

[numazawa]

[the eye]

[VanIslander]

I guess none of you saw the television commercial.

[coffeeman]

You obviously see Daegu through rose-tinted glasses. I'm glad you like it so much. I wish I did.

I notice that most of the pictures here are of the 3 decent places there are in Daegu. They are Duryu Park, Apsan Mountain, and Palgong Mountain. Aside from these places, you'd be hard-pressed to find an area with trees in Daegu. It's also very hard to have a relaxing evening stroll in Daegu because they allow cars to drive up and park on the sidewalks. Now in addition to drunks and people on bicycles, I have to watch out for cars on the sidewalks. I'm glad that Seoul doesn't allow cars to drive up on the sidewalks.

There are no photos of that sad-looking canal that cuts through the city. There are also no photos of the city's skyline which looks like a mess of haphazardly arranged grey condos and office buildings (many of them are eyesores because they're still under construction). Nothing like the striking views of Seoul's skyline seen from the other side of the Han river.

If you want an opinion of Daegu from a seasoned traveler, you should turn to Lonely Planet's guide on Korea. I don't have it in my hand now (it's at home. I can quote from it later.), but I remember it saying that travelers can skip Daegu as there is nothing here worth stopping for. A rather harsh verdict against Daegu, but I'd probably give the same advice for someone just visiting Korea.

[Poor Lazarus]

I agree that Daegu is not much of a tourist destination, but it isn't a bad place to live. It is in a good location for easy day trips to some of Korea's best sites- Haeinsa Temple, Gyeongju, Andong. It is also on the KTX and is within easy access of Seoul and Busan.

Having lived in both Seoul and Daegu, I found Daegu to be friendlier and more easy-going. Seoul has more to offer in terms of nightlife and culture, but Daegu has enough to satisfy most people.

I don't know that I agree with Daegu's claim to be a "fashion city", but if it makes them happy, so be it.

[the eye]

[coffeeman]

Actually, the worst part of Daegu is the people. Because I am white, they stare, stare and stare. I wouldn't mind so much if they said "Hi" or at least smiled. That would be a friendly and polite thing to do. Instead I just get these eyes glued on me with blank faces. People don't know how to mind their own businesses here. Riding the subway is the worst. You really get it. Nearly all of the foreign teachers I talk with are bothered by it. There's one black teacher who was severely harassed when a middle aged woman on the street started going through her grocery store bag to see what she had bought. This same teacher has lived in rural China and says that the Chinese are cool with foreigners. No staring. You are treated like a respected and welcome guest.

To top it off, you are going to find life hard living in Daegu because nobody speaks ANY English. I even called Emergency 119 once for help and was told "ERRRR! UMMMM, Sorry, don't speak English". Unbelievable.

Seoul is much better because you don't get all the staring - even on the subway. People in Seoul are cosmopolitan and cultured and yes, they have seen white people before. They are not as easily impressed. To top it off, they are very helpful. I've been approached 3 times at subway stations in Seoul with offers to help me find the way to my destination - all spoken in English. I was almost floored once when a middle-aged woman gave it her best go in English with me. She managed to give me the directions clearly. I appreciate the kindness people in Seoul have shown me. People in Daegu ignore me when I need help and stare at me the rest of the time. Daegu is an okay place to live, if you already speak Korean and don't mind the staring. Otherwise, forget it! My work contract will end in August. I must say that I can't wait to get out of here.

[bijjy]

Whaaa? I don't recognize Daegu in the above pics. This is the Daegu I know:

[img]http://static.flickr.com/43/84841156_456222fad8.jpg?v=0[/img]

Re: the post above me.. ya, I get tired of the staring too, so sometimes I opt to stay in. However, other times I think what the heck, if they're gonna stare, I'll *give* them something to stare at, and I spike my hair up like Monique from Sinfest. And then they REALLY stare I also don't get why strangers always say 'weigook imneeda!!!' downtown, when there's so many weigooks downtown. It's like we're still a novelty to Koreans even though I see a weigook every few blocks or so.