14 Reasons Why Living in Seoul, Korea is Awesome!
8. Service In Korea
There’s a customer service motto in Korea that says, “the customer is king.” And there’s no way to feel more like royalty than free stuff. When you live in Korea, you will eventually experience the actual word, service. Business owners give customers service, the Konglish (Korean + English) term for “free stuff.” That might include free drinks at a bar, free time at a noraebang (karaoke), or free dessert at a cafe. And the longer you live in Korea, the more service you’ll get it. Get it and love it.
Want to up your chances? Here’s our guide on How to Get Free Stuff in Korea (Service)!
9. The Speed
Korea’s ppalli-ppalli (빨리빨리) culture means doing things as fast as possible. And when you’re living in Korea, that usually equals fast service at restaurants and stores. Also, your expectations for food delivery usually shorten after living here for a few years. Waiting more than 20 minutes for chinese food delivery in Korea becomes an annoyance. Order something online and it’ll be at your door the next day. If you live in Korea, you’ll wait much less, and that means more time to watch Kpop music videos.
10. 24 Hours
Seoul is one of the night capitals of the world. Go to any popular area in Seoul and you’ll find 24 hour cafes for those of you with a laptop and a deadline. If you’re hungry, you can have fried chicken delivered 2 in the morning, or go to the 24 hour neighborhood seolleongtang restaurant. Being bored at home is not really a valid excuse when there are 24 hour entertainment options, including things like noraebang (karaoke), pcbang (internet cafes), screen golf (live golf video game). Korea knows the value of convenience, and there’s no better convenience than the 7eleven effect.
11. Nightlife in Seoul
Some of you might wonder why nightlife isn’t included in the above section, 24 hours. Well the reason is, it’s so good, it deserves its own section. Domestic Korean alcohols (i.e. Korean beers, soju, makgeolli) are supremely affordable and are available at nearly any restaurant. If you prefer drinking on the cheap, convenience stores act as makeshift pregame gathering halls. If you have a more refined taste for cocktails, there are plenty of bars with killer ambiance and professional mixologists. And there are no shortage of clubs (some even open until the 10AM!).
12. Dating Culture
You’ll notice it right away. But once you decide to live in Korea, you’ll quickly learn that Korea is a couples paradise. And if you’re active in the dating scene, you’ll be happy with all the options Korea has to offer. There are special deals for couples at restaurants and cafes. “Romantic” is a concept many interior designs aspire to. And there are no shortage of date places to go. Dating in Korea can be exciting. We suggest you do it. (Unless you’re already taken. Then come together ;)).
Taking someone on a date? See our Seoul date spot suggestions here!
13. The Button
This button totally deserves its own section. Have you ever needed a waiter’s attention? You don’t want to be rude and shout (although, it is culturally acceptable in Korea). Instead of looking like rude customer of the year, just press the button. Just press, and they will come. It’s a simple but ingenious concept. And if you live in Korea, you’ll definitely miss the convenience of this whenever you move back home.
14. Ajummas & Ajeossis
Note: ajumma (아줌마) – married Korean woman / ajeossi (아저씨) – middle aged man.
Ajummas and ajeossis are the people that make the very fabric of Korean society. Of course it’s impossible to love them all, but as a group, they do pretty good. Ajummas and ajeossis are the people that give you free stuff. They might just like you for being you and throw a free coffee in just to be nice. They’re the ones that make your food and driver your taxis. And there’s usually no shortage of interesting conversations. Some of them you might want to avoid, but live here long enough and you’ll learn to love them as you start to see that they’re the thread that holds this entire thing together.
28 Comments
I am planning on checking out about moving there. I feel I need an adventurous change in my like. Fear it maybe too late though. Can’t wait til next September. ♡ everything about your site and vids!
I want to move to but I don’t know how! lol
If it would be ranked, food should be the FIRST one ~
<3
Great page…. helped a lot during my preperation for Korea.
I wish – after I finish my studies – to be able to move to Seoul. What I know about Seoul so far makes it my no.1 destination. 🙂
Same. Really. I intend to save up enough money to get there, tho idk how. Any ideas?
I think in general South Korea is a great country to live in. I’ve been living here for five months and i must say i am mightily impressed by this country.
You’re so lucky:) how did you manage to move there? Most foreigners are teachers right?
Don’t forget cheap college tuition!
One of my brothers favorite memories from his late winter/early spring trip to Seoul was watching nice ajeossis playing Yut in a park.
We’re hoping to move there by the end of January.
I laughed so hard at that last pic.
Thanks for the post!
Well, I am a loving korean fan. I wish I can live in seoul even just for once. 😀
i am to
US$300 for an apartment in Seoul? I have heard horror stories that Seoul is as expensive as Manhattan? I just got orders to be there on 8-Feb, so I am rushing to get ready. Any tips? Visa? Shots? Language? Girl Friends? Taxis? Any tips would be awesome!
What is the date of this article? Thanks
hi
my name is muhamad. i live in iran.we have economic relations with your companies[lg-samsung-daewoo-hundai-…]
your country is very beautiful. i love korean foods.
i think people of south korea in their mind[they think] that iran is enemy with south korea.but north korea has not muslims. north korea have not believe god and Prophets.but we are friend of n.korea because they help us to have missiles to fire and launch 20 missile to military bases in iraq .and saddam decrease his missile attacks to tehran.because in war with saddam[iraq] suppported with eurpoa and china ,soviet and arabs and lanch 300 scud missile to our country.
powerfull countries in west that support saddam against iran ,Unfortunately,they support israel[arsenal of nuclear and chemical weapons] against iran this time .they are supporting of Israel that has War criminal leaders isreal send terrorists to kill iranian big scientistes.
but iran is quiet country beacause god helped us against all threats[for sample united stated’s attack against iran in Operation Eagle Claw in tabas].
I invite you to travel to my country iran.
Monuments : the capital of Achaemenid Empire at Persepolis, 2,500 years ago. Statue of Xerxes Empire that defeat Roman Empire is bow in Kermanshah city. The city burnt in 5000 years ago in east of iran. 2000-year-old temple in Yazd city and Isfahan city that is famous and most beautiful city in middle east .
Iran has The varied natures: Kish island with beautiful beach and warm waters in the Persian Gulf,
Caspian Sea and beautiful forests in northern Iran, Iranian beautiful wilderness in the East and South, do you know the hottest spot on earth is located in Iran.
Religious shrines : tomp of the prophets in iran, for sample the Prophet Daniel in Susa, Imam Reza in Mashhad that has fifty million pilgrims a year and even pakistan’s Christians went to pilgrimage and healing.
Delicious and colorful foods :Because the different ethnic groups in Iran have customs and cuisine of their own.
Iran has popular Persian poets in the world , Saadi and Hafez in shraiz city and Ferdowsi in mashhad city.
with best wishes for you.
hi muhamad
I am a Korean and I lived in Korea for 7 years. Korea especially Seoul has best transportation in the world. If you have chance to go to Seoul, use subway to move around, it is sooooooo cool. Cheap, clean and most importantly Free-wifi.
And also Korea is extremely easy to get a job if you are an English speaker. There is a lot of ‘English Preschools’ and all of them has a lot of money. And that means they pay teachers very high.
Hey! I know English so can I get a job in Seoul with a business degree ?
My local Korean restaurant (Meekak [Hangul plz]) has the button. My family loves it!
I want to move there but how do I move in Seoul. Please tell me some ways to get settled in Seoul .
I van tell you’re never going to live in Korea. And your English is useless if you’re not from a native English country, you cant teach here
Pay my living expenses, and I’ll move there in a heartbeat…
Would love to retire to a city like Seoul. Koreans seem like such intelligent, peaceful people. Plus, once i’m old, living in a city like Seoul would be super convenient. Easy to get around using public transportation and just about anything can be delivered to me super fast. Just need to learn to speak Korean. Although, wouldn’t be surprised if a majority of the people there spoke English, as opposed to countries like China, where I heard a very low percentage of Chinese know English. btw, i’m American.
I liked it very well, congratulations.
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blog loading?
I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my
end or if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Would love to retire to a city like Seoul. Koreans seem like such intelligent, peaceful people. Plus, once i’m old, living in a city like Seoul would be super convenient. Easy to get around using public transportation and just about anything can be delivered to me super fast. Just need to learn to speak Korean. Although, wouldn’t be surprised if a majority of the people there spoke English, as opposed to countries like China, where I heard a very low percentage of Chinese know English. btw, i’m American.
And also Korea is extremely easy to get a job if you are an English speaker. There is a lot of ‘English Preschools’ and all of them has a lot of money. And that means they pay teachers very high.
what you say about affordability is bulls*it haha 300,000 won for small studio apartment? haha might be so if you pay deposit of minimum 25000 USD Do I need to say more? cinema? food? karaoke? wish a night out was less than 10000 won but it’s certainly is not. If you write someting, do your research!
do you have a job? If you don’t have you tried to get a job?????
243.42 USD = 300,000 Won. Better price than most things. Maybe, if you post a comment, you should do the research 🥲