Korean Job Discussion Forums

[708]

Living in Chicago, I've been spoiled by the vast collection and lenient lending policies of the Harold Washington Library.

How does one keep oneself entertained and educated through the medium of English books during a year abroad stint in Korea?

I mean do they have English libraries in Seoul? Lots of English used bookstores?

Cuz when I went to China the last time for 7 months, I was pretty much stuck with the books I had brought with me. I mean the university library there in the city of 1 million had some "classic" English fiction, but you can only go so far with that.

Beijing had some interesting used English book stores.

And I remember ordering books from Amazon while abroad in college and it seemed so cheap, and then all of a sudden there was an "Import Tariff" when I arrived at the Scottish post office.

How do you get access to English books in South Korea? Are you stuck with what you can muster up online?

[i_teach_esl]

i believe most widely known in seoul are whatthebook in itaewon, Bandi&Lundis at coex in gangnam, and kyobo books stores (various locations).

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=20036
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=7885

[708]

Glass if half-full: That's amazing, I can buy English books in Korea!

Glass is half-empty: What, no libraries? You mean I have to pay!?

Oh, and one more question:

If I do this Asia thing again, I want to be surrounded by people with similar interests - in my case, film.

Is there a Hollywood of Korea? Is there a film capital of Korea? Or a well-known film school? If not, is there a center for theatre of sorts?

Thanks!

[i_teach_esl]

sorry friend, i didnt say there arent libraries. i just dont know about them.

[Jane]

After years in Seoul, I have yet to still come across a library. I would probably rule out libraries in Seoul.

There are big big stores around Seoul that offer English books for sale, as well some used book stores.

Finally, the best place for film might be down in Busan (Pusan) as that's where they host the annual PIFF festival, the largest cinematic festival in Asia (the Cannes F F of Asia, they say!)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PIFF

[Yaya]

Forget that place Foreign Book Store near the entrance of Itaewon. The prices are either good or ripoff, as the owner has no business sense whatsoever. It's been there for a long time but well, it had no real competition before What the Book opened.

I went there recently (Foreign Book Store) and the word that came to mind after examining the prices was RIPOFF!

[i_teach_esl]

you can read books online for free. or download them to an ipod or whatever you call those cool hand held things that youdownload books on...

http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

[i_teach_esl]

doh! here dey is:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=151916&highlight=

[definitely maybe]

[air76]

Try the book store in the basement of the Express Bus Terminal....I think it's called Young Poong. It's pretty big and has a good selection considering it's in Korea....plus there are quite a few bargain options as they have a large selection of re-printed classics for 5,000 won.

You may have to pay for books in Korea....but you don't pay rent, so if you do the math dropping $20-30 a month on books isn't really all that much of an inconvenience. Trade books with other foreigners, you'll survive.

I've heard there is a book exchange at the Wolfhound Pub in Itaewon...but I've never been there.

[nomad-ish]

go to what the book in itaewon. they've got a big, random selection of used books (i believe for 5000 won), and then you can trade in those books when you finish for something new.

[708]

Thanks! Inspiring ideas!