I’m coming to Korea next month on my first teaching job. After packing and repacking too many times to count, I want to know what I should be bringing and what I can do without?
Rachel
Hi Rachel. You’re probably overpacking way too much. When I first came I brought all kinds of crazy things that are readily availiable in Seoul. It will be a long list of things of what not to bring so instead I’ll focus on what you should be packing in that suitcase.
First up, bring some deodorant with you. For some reason Korean people don’t sweat nearly as much as us Western folk. I swear I’ll be in a club dancing and sweating up a monsoon and the Koreans neary by will be dancing twice as hard with nary a bead of moisture on their body. I chalk it up to genetics but whatever the reason it doesn’t give them cause to stock much in the way of antiperspirants. So, bring your favorite and bring plenty of it.
Next, I would bring my favorite snack that might not be so popular in Korea. Of course thats tought to determine until you get here and see that they don’t sell Whatchamacalits but have Snickers on every shelf.
If you are not a slim, petite person with an average foot size I would bring clothes and more importantly shoes! If you fit Korean sizes because you’re built like a Korean then you will be in a shopping wonderland, but if not then tough cookie. I suggest taking the clothes for whatever season you’ll be arriving in and maybe having your family ship more when you need it.
You can also check out my post on What to Bring to Korea!
Hey, Kiss my Kimchi, I’m a SF lesbian bound for Seoul. I’m worried that my more conservative asian sisters wont’ be as out as I am. How big is the scene? Is the community active? I saw your post on Homo Hill and just couldn’t believe that was it? Is that it?
Alana
Hi Alana! Well you stumped me on this one so I had to ask my favorite go to lesbian couple for some answers, we’ll call them Kit and Kat.
KMK: I have a reader asking about the lesbian experience in Seoul. Discuss!
Kit&Kat: Disclaimer( this of coz is simply my experience of it)… The two main places to go out would be itaewon and hongdae.
KMK: What’s the difference?
Kit&Kat: Hongdae has more of a korea feel to it, there are not many peolpe who speak english, however that is the place you will find exclusively lesbian spots.Itaewon is more cosmopolitan, but there are no exclusively les spots… there are far more gay men there than women.
KMK: What about the lesbian community? Are they out, proud and politically active?
Kit&Kat: As for politically active… ummm… not from what i’ve seen. Things are still pretty on the hush and non-confrontational.
tell her to have a look at seoul sistas or sappiro…
Here are some nifty links you may want to peruse to give you some insight into the L scene in Seoul.
Korea Beat’s A lesbian in Seoul report
I’m a blogger, writer, and teacher. I’ve been working in South Korea’s ESL field for the last three years. My one year contract has unexpectedly turned into a journey that I’m still on and loving.
