Korean Job Discussion Forums

gringo_al · Joined: 17 Sep 2006 Location: San Jos�, Costa Rica

I'm currently living in San Jos�, Costa Rica, which has a thriving, if somewhat underground, gay scene. There are several bars, a couple of bathhouses, and cruising is fairly common on the street. I'm out to my boss and other teachers at work.

I am considering relocating to South Korea in February. From what research I've done, I understand that things are much different there. I know that I won't be able to be out at work. I know there are fewer bars and I doubt that there are any bathhouses. I'm okay with all that.

But will I be able to find other gays? either English speaking Koreans, or ex-pats? Will I be able to find people that I can be gay around? to make gay friends? to meet other men to have sex with?

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Satori · Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: Above it all

In Seoul there's a district called Itaewon, and in Itaewon there's a place called Hooker Hill, one or two streets back ( can't remember ) there's a place affectionately known by some as Queer Street. There are several bars there that you will enjoy. I've been in there, and seen lots of dudes in nothing but thier briefs, table dancing with each other, hard-ons straining against that flimsy cotton. It was quite bachanalian really. But it's very underground, strictly hush hush and on the q t ...

Satori · Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: Above it all

Ive seen some pretty high class drag queen shows in that area as well...

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

If you do decide to come to Korea. I think Seoul would be your best bet otherwise I think you would feel quite isolated. It wouldn't be a good idea to be out to your Korean boss and coworkers until you know them REALLY well.

I knew a gay guy here in Korea and he had no trouble meeting people. The best place was, as another poster, said in Itaewon up Hooker Hill. There are drag clubs if you are into that too.

There is a section in Lonely Planet Korea about the Gay and Lesbian scene in Korea.

http://www.fridae.com/cityguides/seoul/seo-intro.php

ilovebdt

discostar23 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Location: getting the hell out of dodge

go here for men

http://www.utopia-asia.com/tipskor.htm

there is a listing of all the gay establishments including bathhouses and kareoke bars

SirFink · Joined: 05 Mar 2006

maryb · Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 4:55 pm Post subject:

Make sure you are in Seoul. You will have NO PROBLEM finding other gays and lesbians to hang with. There are gays bars in both Hongdae and Itaewon. They have fun names like Queen, Two Men, or Pink Button. No need to be subtle here. . . .homo hill is one hill past hooker hill.

Most of my friends are queer and I spend most saturday nights defending my natural born right to be straight.

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

Yes - South Korea certainly does have a lot of bath houses, where people walk around with no clothes out in the open.

As a general rule I've noticed that daytime is usually more for legitimate users of the bath house facilities, but at night a lot of same-sex sexual activity does take place at many bath houses. Most operate 24 hours and I would not be caught going to one after 9pm.

Infact just about every sauna within the green city cirlce line seems to have to *some* sort of underground gay activity taking place, particularly late at night.

You often see two men scrubbing down each other with soap, in the hot sauna rooms together, in the spa pool together, getting a massage together, sleeping together in the rest areas and (yes) even having physical sex out in the open (within the building).

But possibly the worse case scenario - is if you see one of your student/s or co-workers naked in the bath house ...

Gwangjuboy · Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Location: England

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Ive met more gay people in korea than I did back home! And, I dont even live in Seoul. They do tend to make trips to the bars in Seoul though for a bit of mixing. Ive only met one gay korean but he was borna nd raised in the US and its not acceptable for him to be out here.

Delirium's Brother · Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 6:29 pm Post subject: Re: hoping for gay community

jeffusensei · Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Location: Seoul, Korea

On a good Saturday night, there are hundreds and hundreds of folks on homo hill in itaewon. The crowd is mixed, Korean/foreigner, gay/straight. Ask around for "King Bar" and go around the corner where you'll find "Queen Bar" and you're there. There's also a bar called "del disco" under the Hamilton Hotel by the station that's mostly a gay crowd. Lesbian bars are concentrated in Hongdae and Sinchon, both on the green subway line. There are many many dedicated gay bathouses in Seoul - this is a very big city. Not sure about lesbian bathouses. Have a pun!

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul