Korean Job Discussion Forums

jessie-b · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

After finishing my beginning Korean course, I'm planning on furthing my study with an intensive intermediate Korean course, hoping that it will enable me to meet some really cool Korean people, to discuss ideas beyond "where are you from?".

However, I've been speaking with some friends who have traveled a lot in other Asian countries and who are planning on leaving Korea. They are having difficulty seeing the SOUL in this place. I also feel this frustration. The few long-termers I've met seem to only be attached to their other long term friends, not Korea itself. I've felt connection to certain places I've traveled immediatly and felt there are layers and layers to yet discover. I want that to be true here.

Have you guys found the soul here? Where is it? What do you think it is?

doggyji · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:20 pm Post subject:

It must be extra hard for you to find the soul because I'm outside Korea...

Sorry it had to be said. I'm from 무플 방지 위원회. Cool

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

It depends on what you mean by soul exactly. Tiger Beer is talking more about the artistic movement, where you can meet people with tattoos and mohawks who live an unconventional life and don't want to be part of the same old rat race. That's not really representative of Korean society though, so while you might find a lot of soul in it, you're getting a very skewed sample. It's definitely a problem that it's easier to socialise with other foreigners in Hongdae and miss out on what's going on with Koreans.

I think if you want to see the soul of a country (or maybe more accorately of a city) all you need to do is ride buses and subways, and walk around parts of the city. Being a candid photographer I think I've been exposed to quite a lot of soul here.

jessie-b · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Thanks for both of those responses...I mean all three..ahem, Doggyji. I went to Hongdae last weekend and was impressed with all the theatres and galleries. I talked a teeny weeny bit with people but totally wish I knew more Korean. I guess I will take that class. I like your idea of riding buses, Racetraitor. Do people get freaked out when you take pictures of them? I'm not really a photographer, but I've been thinking of doing some filming at some point.

I'm from New England and sometimes people have trouble finding the soul there too. (Guess cuz I've left)