With summer rolling around, there are going to be a lot of people coming to Seoul on vacation. I know going out to party in a new city can be intimidating, so I invited a friend of mine who has worked as a dating coach in Seoul for the past two years to write a guest article this week. In it, he’s going to provide some basic information on Seoul’s social scene and give some advice on going out alone to meet new people and build a new social circle. So without further adieu, here it is: I hope you all enjoy it!
New to Seoul? Welcome to one of the most amazing cities in Asia! Especially for nightlife – lots of parties, people and booze to mix up memorable experiences (If you’re not too drunk to remember, that is! ;-) )
On the other hand, the thing about the nightlife here is that it can be intimidating for newcomers (especially foreigners or ‘waygukin’ as we’re called). That’s not going to be your problem, though, because I’m going to give you a step-by-step guide to the Seoul Nightlife scene and teach you how to start being the life of the party everywhere you go (talk about a double-whammy!).
Hongdae Street
When you first come to Seoul, you will probably want to start in an area called Itaewon. It’s the most foreigner-friendly nightscene in Seoul. Almost everyone speaks English, and there are many Western-style bars and pubs that’ll make it feel just like being at home.
Once you’re comfy there, you can start heading out to Hongdae. Think of Itaewon, but add in lots of Korean university students and Korean-style restaurants and bars. Still a popular place among foreigners and English-speaking Koreans, you can easily meet and talk with people here, but at the same time experience a nightlife that’s distinctly more Korean.
Gangnam
After you’ve gotten used to hanging out with Koreans and foreigners at the same time, you can move on to Gangnam. This is a great place to go once you’re comfortable in Hongdae and Itaewon but still want to experience the full spectrum of Korean nightlife. Located south of the Han River, Gangnam boasts some of the more high-end clubs and venues. The nightlife here is thriving, but since foreigners are rare here, you’ll have get used to hanging out with mostly Koreans (not to mention speaking in Korean!)
Finally, if you’re up for the major leagues of Korea’s party scene, you can set yourself up to go to Apgugeong and Cheongdam. This area is Monopoly’s Boardwalk of nightlife. It is home to the ritziest clubs and most stylish venues in all of Seoul. On the other hand, it’s also home to $20 cocktails, so you’re gonna have to pay if you want to play. Because of this, these venues tend to attract a classier crowd, but they’re also the hardest to socialize at, so I only recommend coming here after you’re comfortable in other parts of Seoul.
Cheongdam-dong
“Well, now I know where to party, but how do I get to know some people here?”
It’s simple – BE fun, DO fun, and you’ll HAVE fun!
BE fun by getting yourself in a good mood before you go out! Watch a funny movie. Talk to some friends back home and share a few laughs! You can also get a few drinks in you, which will raise up your fun-o-meter (just keep your heads about ya! ;-) ).
DO fun by meeting people and having a good time! Sure, it’ll be scary at first when you’re putting yourself out there to meet new people, especially if you don’t know the culture or the language (which I recommend learning, by the way). Go out without too many expectations, and focus on having a good time! You’ll definitely…
HAVE fun once you start applying these strategies and make sure to follow the venue guide above. You’ll start noticing yourself feeling more comfortable going out, you’ll make some contacts and meet some people. The cool thing is that once you start to enjoy yourself, you’ll meet some people and create some memorable experiences you would never have imagined when you first came here!
So get ready for some amazing Seoul Nightlife experiences and remember – BE fun, DO fun, and you’ll definitely HAVE fun!
-Blue
Blue is a dating coach for PickupAsia in Seoul. He has lived, enjoyed and been a part of the nightscene for more than two years, helping men learn how to meet and date their ideal women! Contact: bluemystery@pickupasia.com
