Have you ever been to South Korea?

Answer 1

I live in Seoul...here's some basic information:

Although travelers may find the Korean people aggressive and pushy, Koreans can also be most kind and generous. Moreover, age is indelibly important to Confucian tradition. Elders are generally treated with respect. The younger are supposed to pay deference to elders, even if a person is just one year senior. This makes it very difficult for a newcomer to understand where he fits into the Korean social hierarchy. Although South Korea is a rapidly changing, modern country, it still remains inwardly focused with Confucian traditions and values.

FOOD & DRINKS

Korean cuisine has something for everyone. The traditional Korean meal comes with many side dishes. "Kimchi" is the mainstay. Kimchi is grated vegetables mixed with chili, garlic and ginger fermented in various fashions. You can determine if a restaurant is good or not by how fresh and tasty the Kimchi is.

Another popular dish is "pulgogi". Pulgogi is strips of beef marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and chili. Usually it is cooked on your table over hot coals. You may wrap it in spinach or sesame leaves, but beware of the raw garlic.

Another common food is "pindaeddok." It is a pancake, which contain a variety of ingredients such as bean sprouts, onion greens, carrots, potatoes, clams, or squid.

There are also plenty of Western style restaurants in Korea as fast food is popular among the younger generation. However, I would not recommend these. Korean food is tastier and much healthier.

It should also be noted that there are several different beverages found in Korea. There are wonderful herbal teas that may be served hot or cold.

Insadong is a good place to find the traditional teashops. There are also a number of alcoholic beverages produced from rice. Some of the names are makkoli, dong-dongju, soju, and the most potent of all being korianju. So watch-out, Koreans are fond of drinking and socializing.


LANGUAGE

The Korean language is called "Hangul". Like Mongolian, is classified as a Ural-Altaic language. The alphabet was invented in 1443 by a group of scholars under the patronage of King Sejong. Hangul has a scientific syllabic system compose of 10 vowels and 14 consonants. It is not too difficult to learn and some even argue they can learn the basics on their flight over from North America.

CLIMATE

South Korea has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Winters are usually long, cold, and dry. Summer is hot, muggy, wet, typhoon-prone, and temperatures range between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius. Spring and Autumn are most pleasant to many people. It's sunny almost everyday and the temperature is nice for climbing the numerous mountains.

RELIGION

A variety of different religions have developed in Korea. Buddhism and Confucianism were dominant in the past. Christianity developed a vast following since its introduction in the late 18th century. The culture is now roughly 40% Buddhist and 40% Christian. However, there remains a very significant influence of Confucianism and Shamanism in everyday rituals. In addition, members of the Church of Latter-day Saints and followers of Reverend Moon have grown steadily.


SHOPPING

In addition to drinking and socializing, “Seoulites” love to shop. The best places for shopping in Seoul are: Tongdaemun, Namdaemun, Insa-dong and Kwangjang-dong. Shopping can also be done at street stalls, open markets, big department stores, and small specialty shops, etc. Itaewon is said to be a "shoppers paradise" for foreigners. It has great bargains, especially with custom-made goods, leather items, shirts and shoes. Moreover, in Itaewon, English is widely used.


ATTRACTIONS

Korea has a variety of tourism resources. There are spectacular sceneries, rich and unique cultural heritages in Korea. From Seoul to the far end of Korea, you will find cultural and historical sites, Buddhist monasteries, National Parks, Tombs, Reservoirs, Pagodas, Pleasure gardens, Shrines, Folk Museums Rivers, Hills, Mountains, Beaches, Waterfalls and a lot more.

Answer 2

I've worked as a conversational English teacher there. You either love it or hate it. Depends how open minded you are. You don't really have to be a qualified teacher to do the job. Most people either take to the job easily or can't do it at all. There is a strong emphsis on entertaining the children. You meet a lot of really freaky foreigners doing this job. I get the impression the majority of them would never even be offered an interview in their home country.

The South Koreans tend to be conservative but with a wild side.
On the surface the whole culture appears to be very moral and sweaky clean. Scratch below the surface and you'll see all kinds of really decadant behavour. Its not uncommon for people to drink themselves silly and vomit in public. There's a huge sex industry. Everything from Amsterdam style window brothels to
high class gentlemans clubs known as Room Salons.

Answer 3

Yes, I live in South Korea.
All up I have been here 7 times.
Thinking of becoming a uni student, here in Korea... just for something to do.

Answer 4

Seoul could be the capital of Korea and it has over 600 decades of record and you can now learn it with hotelbye . Seoul is one's heart of Korea's tradition and knowledge in addition to politics and economics. Seoul is home to numerous previous traditional internet sites like Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces, and areas of old-fashioned lifestyle like Bukchon Hanok Village, Insa-dong, and Namdaemun Market. The shopping and entertainment districts of Myeongdong and Apgujeong, and Asia's largest undercover shopping middle COEX Mall also bring a big number of tourists every year. In just one single term, Seoul is incredible, is a town worth visit.

Answer 5

We are a military family stationed in South Korea. We have been here two years and we leave in a week!

Answer 6

Yes, during the Korean war;and I was on a minesweeper and swept out 40 plus mines from the Korean coastal and bay areas.Spent a few days in Pusan.

Answer 7

I have been to Seoul. I like the food there. Korean people drive too fast, then get in an accident, then fight. That's kind of interesting IMO. There were some demonstrations while I was there, but it was no big deal.

Answer 8

yes..actually i was born there and moved to Canada. i went back there a few times and its really nicethere but its more cramp because its a small land for a whole bunch of people. some people don't like it there but the people that i know that have been there loved it. since it's a different culture people tend to misunderstand Koreans and their culture.

Answer 9

I've been to Seoul airport, passing through from Vancouver to Hong Kong.

Answer 10

Have been living here for 5 years.