|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
SeaTurtle
Joined: 08 May 2007
Location: Seoul
|
 Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 5:10 pm Post subject: New to Seoul |
 |
|
| Alright, I am sure there was a better way to do this but hey, I'm new to a lot of things lately...Just looking to better myself by learning. I have just moved here (been here about a week) and so far I really like it. Would like to chat to any and all interested. Am open to tips and or advice on just about anything...not looking to reinvent the wheel. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
thebum
Joined: 09 Jan 2005
Location: North Korea
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| where in seoul are you? what do you do for fun? do you use msn messenger? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Yo!Chingo
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: Seoul Korea
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| If you're already getting lonely, go to Itaewon. It's like Western mecca. You're sure to make some new friends. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Harpeau
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Location: Coquitlam, BC
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Welcome to Seoul! Hoping that you're adjusting well.
Remember, Tourist Info. Hot line (02)1330. Press 2 for English. Call them when you need them. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
procrastinatrix
Joined: 01 May 2006
Location: Sinchon
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 12:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
sorry to kinda hijack this thread..
1st visit here, staying til august. i got here about a week ago.
what is there to do in seoul during the day other than shop for a 20ish y.o gyopo? i'm taking classes, but they don't start for another 3 weeks and i'm already a little bored..
i've already gone to most of the shopping places (dongdaemun, namdaemun, myungdong, sinchon/ewha, coex...) and i'm tired of seeing ruffled/sequined stuff with nonsensical english expressions that they won't let me try on, or comes in only one size 
also my relatives already dragged me around to the old palaces and historical/scenic things. and they won't let me out late (because my mom thinks korea has loads of dirty rapists waiting around every corner and very specifically instructed my aunts to not let me go around at night by myself). btw, this means after 8pm. I feel bad because my cousin feels like she has to take me around all the time (she's the only one close to me in age) and i'm kinda getting tired of hanging out with her and her boyfriend. i'm pretty sure it's mutual, but they're too polite to say so.
if anyone can suggest any fun things/places, please let me know. i'm nearish to sadang station (blue/green line) but it doesn't necessarily have to be something close |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dogshed
Joined: 28 Apr 2006
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 12:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
*oops*
Last edited by dogshed on Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:14 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dogshed
Joined: 28 Apr 2006
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 1:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| procrastinatrix wrote: |
| for a 20ish y.o gyopo? my relatives won't let me out late (because my mom thinks korea has loads of dirty rapists waiting around every corner and very specifically instructed my aunts to not let me go around at night by myself). btw, this means after 8pm. |
20ish living with Korean relatives. That's gotta hurt.
Here's an idea. I'll come up and spend a Saturday with you. I'm 39, thinning hair, have a bit of a pot belly, and dress like a geek. Once they see me
with you they will be sending you to bars at midnight to find someone your own age.
Here's another idea. Start a club open during the day. Rave, trance, house? Whatever the latest thing is. I'm not exactly hip to the scene.
Block off the windows with foil so it will be like night inside. Open at 8 AM and close at 6 PM. There must be a gazillion Korean girls who can't go out late that and a gazillion boys who would pay the cover charge. Call it "The Market" as in "Mom, I'm going to The Market." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Masta_Don
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Location: Hyehwa-dong, Seoul
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Yo!Chingo wrote: |
| If you're already getting lonely, go to Itaewon. It's like Western mecca. You're sure to make some new friends. |
Why, why?? Itaewon is that last stop, the one that you hem and haw at until you realize you must, so you take off, hands in pockets, avoiding eye contact so you can finally get some fresh green beans or ginger ale. Itaewon is the ghetto, pure and simple.
If you want things to do at night, depending on where you live and what you like to do, go to Hongdae, Sincheon, Sinchon, or Gangnam. Dongdaemun at midnight is fun too but it's only shopping. Or my personal favorite, wonder around your neighborhood and see what trouble you can get into there. My area has a make-out park and a hippie bar, both off the beaten track.
| procrastinatrix wrote: |
and they won't let me out late (because my mom thinks korea has loads of dirty rapists waiting around every corner and very specifically instructed my aunts to not let me go around at night by myself). btw, this means after 8pm. I feel bad because my cousin feels like she has to take me around all the time (she's the only one close to me in age) and i'm kinda getting tired of hanging out with her and her boyfriend. i'm pretty sure it's mutual, but they're too polite to say so.
if anyone can suggest any fun things/places, please let me know. i'm nearish to sadang station (blue/green line) but it doesn't necessarily have to be something close |
Sounds like the only solution is to get married.
You could wander around 서울대 and try to meet people. Or there's hiking nearby. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seoulsucker
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: The Land of the Hesitant Cutoff
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Masta_Don wrote: |
| Itaewon is the ghetto, pure and simple. |
You're partially right. Itaewon is 50% ghetto, 50% Beverly Hills, and I'm glad that people like you simply don't know where to look to find some of the hottest crowds in Seoul.
It's like New Jersey in that way. Coming from NYC, you'd think NJ is a hole. But once you get past the initial facade you find that it's a very, very nice place to be. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Masta_Don
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Location: Hyehwa-dong, Seoul
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 7:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| seoulsucker wrote: |
| Masta_Don wrote: |
| Itaewon is the ghetto, pure and simple. |
You're partially right. Itaewon is 50% ghetto, 50% Beverly Hills, and I'm glad that people like you simply don't know where to look to find some of the hottest crowds in Seoul.
It's like New Jersey in that way. Coming from NYC, you'd think NJ is a hole. But once you get past the initial facade you find that it's a very, very nice place to be. |
So you think that for someone new to Seoul, their first stop should be Itaewon? Especially with not knowing anyone. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seoulsucker
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: The Land of the Hesitant Cutoff
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Masta_Don wrote: |
| So you think that for someone new to Seoul, their first stop should be Itaewon? Especially with not knowing anyone. |
I would say that the chances of meeting someone there that can help them "decompress" in their first few weeks is much greater than, say, walking into the nearest chicken hof and trying to strike up a conversation with the locals.
I'm not advocating going there every night of the week, or even every weekend. Just saying that as a newbie to Seoul (or especially to Korea in general), Itaewon can be a nice landing pad until you get your bearings straight.
The discovery of some of Seoul's best kept secrets have been unlocked for me through the gateway that is Itaewon. A conversation over a drink, an invite to hitch along on a weekend excursion, etc.
I've found the expats hanging there to be much more cordial and receptive as opposed to, say, the Gangnam or Apgujeong crowd.
Hongdae would be my second suggestion. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Masta_Don
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Location: Hyehwa-dong, Seoul
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| seoulsucker wrote: |
I would say that the chances of meeting someone there that can help them "decompress" in their first few weeks is much greater than, say, walking into the nearest chicken hof and trying to strike up a conversation with the locals.
The discovery of some of Seoul's best kept secrets have been unlocked for me through the gateway that is Itaewon. A conversation over a drink, an invite to hitch along on a weekend excursion, etc.
|
Ok, I understand what you're saying and I know everyone's experience is different, but when I first came here I was so enthralled in being in a new place/culture that I was certifiably manic. I would go out every night and would find out about Korea thru the locals, go places with them and meet girls/make friends. All of this, in a steady rhythm, within the first month, without any knowledge of the language other than how to say 'tree' and 'baby' (not even 'thank you'). And the foreigners that I met, for the most part, had all the same gripes I hear now - Koreans are rude, they'll never include you, they'll rip you off, free English lessons - but those were from the people who clung onto other foreigners and never immersed themselves in the local culture. Those that did try out the culture alone seemed to be having a hell of a time.
But I know that every part of Seoul is different. I live in Hyehwa now and perhaps my enthusiasm has waned some but I don't think I could have struck it rich by going out here like I did when I first moved to Korea in Cheonho. Perhaps I was just lucky. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SeaTurtle
Joined: 08 May 2007
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 3:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for all the suggestions and opinions. I am near Nowon on the Light Blue line...a bit far from the center but it's a great neighborhood and I think I am better off with a bit of space(if that's possible here).  Have been out a couple of times with the people I work with and it's been fun. I am up for most things from the cleche and typical to the hole in the wall variety.
And if you have any thoughts on interesting sight seeing for the weekends let's hear that too! I did go visit the palaces last week and spent an afternoon in Insadong. Of course I could get a lot of this information from my guide book, but I figure some of you may have interesting suggestions as well.
Thanks again!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
