<\/p>\n

Travelers often feel a certain pressure to see everything of historical and cultural significance when they visit a new city or country. They frantically rush from museum, to monument, to palace as if they are writing a guidebook, and before they know it, the trip is over. They return home exhausted, armed with an overabundance of stock postcard pictures hastily snapped in front of [insert appropriate tourist attraction here] to show to their family and friends. Not only does this method of travel limit their understanding of the contemporary culture, but what\u2019s even worse, it doesn\u2019t seem to be much fun.<\/p>\n

I spent the last six months living and teaching in Seoul, South Korea. During this time it was not the guided tours or visits to significant sites that ultimately shaped my understanding of the country, but rather the common everyday happenings that were both revelatory and enjoyable. My best moments came when I stopped viewing Korean culture from afar and instead participated in it.<\/p>\n

With this in mind I have created a list of things to do in Seoul. While the obvious attractions \u2014 Namsung Tower, the DMZ, the palaces, Myeong Dong, Insadong \u2014 are all places I recommend you visit if you have time, my list is intended for people in pursuit of a more unique and participatory experience. It includes some things your average Korean might do in a weekend and other things that are a bit more creative. But for me, all of them share two characteristics: they are uniquely Korean, and they are potentially a lot of fun.<\/p>\n

1) Go to a Sporting Event<\/strong><\/p>\n

During my time in Korea I went to two sporting events, a Korean Basketball League (KBL) game, and a professional Korean baseball game. Although the level of play varies between the sports the excitement and energy of the crowd does not. Since Koreans love baseball, this tends to manifest on the field with high-caliber players and teams. A more indifferent attitude towards basketball also shows. But don\u2019t let the fact that Duke might beat a KBL team by 40 get you down. What\u2019s fun about these events is the atmosphere.<\/p>\n

The prices are affordable ($6-$14), and Koreans haven\u2019t yet realized that once you get fans inside a stadium you can shut the doors and pinch \u2018em for every penny. As a result, it\u2019s perfectly normal to bring your own food and drink to the game. In fact, if you don\u2019t they might think you\u2019re a foreigner! It\u2019s a picnic, so pack your favorite snacks or buy something from the street vendors outside Jamsil Stadium and enjoy. And if you so happen to run out during the course of the game, you can leave the stadium and return with another armful of whatever your stomach desires.<\/p>\n

Koreans are also very participatory at sporting events. Each team brings their own MC and dancing girls to pump up the crowd, and the crowd chants motivational songs throughout the game. A lot of these songs have taken the liberty to borrow (or steal) the rhythms from popular American sports songs. So when you think you are hearing \u201cTake me out to the ball game,\u201d except it\u2019s in Korean, there\u2019s a good chance you are.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/em> They don\u2019t have hot dogs at Jamsil baseball stadium but they do have fried octopus. It\u2019s salty, chewy, and delicious. Give it a try!<\/p>\n

2) Jimjilbong<\/strong><\/p>\n

The jimjil (heated bath) bong (room) is Korea\u2019s version of the spa. It includes Jacuzzis, cold water baths, showers, massage tables, steam and ice rooms, and usually a common room for watching TV, drinking ginseng shakes or iced sikhye and eating cold noodles. And unlike many western spas, it is very affordable (usually around $6-$10).<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re shy about walking around in your birthday suit as curious Koreans take platonic sneak peeks, don\u2019t worry. Head to the common room where both sexes mingle fully clothed and enjoy the steam rooms and relaxed atmosphere. This is about as laid-back as Korea gets, and if you leave without spotting at least one old man comfortably asleep on the wooden floor, write me a letter of complaint.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/em> At night Jimjilbong\u2019s transform into a sort of hostel. Mats are provided and men and women stretch out along the floor as though it\u2019s made of feathers. It only costs about $6 and is a common thing for Koreans to do, especially those living outside of the city. While in the States this sort of thing might become dangerous, in Korea it\u2019s as calm and peaceful as a night under the stars. If you\u2019re strapped for cash and need a place to crash, avoid seedy Love Motels and try a night alongside the community.<\/p>\n

3) Nori Bong<\/strong><\/p>\n

This Korean take on karaoke is a must-do. Nori (sing) Bong (room) is as ingrained in the Korean lifestyle as studying and working hard. A Nori Bong generally consists of many small private rooms, each containing a full karaoke setup and a book filled with popular Korean and Western songs. Don\u2019t worry, half of the book is in English and you\u2019ll find the song that makes you sing like a hummingbird.<\/p>\n

You can usually purchase beer or soju there and if not, they\u2019ll let you bring it in, all in the spirit of enhancing your voice or disillusioning the ears of your company. If you walk in and hear a woman belting \u201cI\u2019m so lonely\u201d by Akon in less-than-perfect English, you\u2019re in the right place.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/em> Nori Bongs are as common as plastic surgery in Seoul, and if you have any trouble finding one you must not be in Korea.<\/p>\n

4) Soju Tents<\/strong><\/p>\n

To escape from Korea without at least one shot of soju, even for the most sober of travelers, isn\u2019t easy. At times it seems that in every bar, bowling alley, club, kimbap, seafood, or galbi restaurant, there is a group of well-dressed men drinking soju and smoking cigarettes. But whether you fancy wetting your lips or not it is worth your time to dine in one of the many brightly-colored (usually orange) tents that appear all over Seoul and that foreigners tend to call \u201csoju tents.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSoju tents\u201d are usually run by an old Ajumma and someone in the family, and are cheap and full of delicious Korean food. Try pachun, a Korean omelet style dish that can be had with an array of vegetables or seafood. Also, drinks are cheap here and the environment authentically Korean. Some tent owners will give you special attention and care because you are foreign, and others may be rude or shy for the same reason. Either way, you will get a sense of what it\u2019s like for foreigners living in Seoul.<\/p>\n

5) Eat Nakji<\/strong><\/p>\n

Eating nakji is not for the weak-of-stomach or overly sensitive, and during my first three months in Korea I didn\u2019t even consider it. Nakji is a type of small octopus that are kept in large tanks outside of many Korean restaurants and street tents. When served the nakji is removed from the water and quickly chopped up, usually by an Ajumma (older married woman) with a very large knife. But what makes the nakji so appealing (or appalling) is that when it is brought out on a plate, soaked in sesame oil and sprinkled with sesame seed, the tentacles are still moving. Some are doing a final slow dance and others appear as though they might break free and squirm violently across the table, pick up a chop stick and stab you in the neck in a mad fury of revenge.<\/p>\n

So why do I recommend this? Well, after trying it not only did I realize the squirmy devils are surprisingly tasty once you adjust to your food moving around in your mouth, but because most importantly, it\u2019s fun. Whether you go to a small street tent that specializes in seafood, or an actual nakji restaurant, there will undoubtedly be locals throwing back shots of suju, smoking cigarettes, laughing and eating all sorts of sea critters you\u2019ve never seen before. If you get lucky you might even see someone eat a full octopus, Old Boy style.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/em> If you\u2019re traveling alone and aren\u2019t willing to try a full plate of nakji yourself, order something you\u2019re more comfortable with: oysters, clams or fish. When you see a plate of wiggling nakji being brought to a table of inebriated Samsung executives, express your curiosity. Hard-drinking Koreans are famously (or notoriously) friendly to foreigners after a hard day\u2019s work, and you might find yourself with a complimentary soju shot in hand and a slimy octopus tentacle coming right at you. Enjoy! And be sure to chew fast and hard!<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

No matter your length of stay in Seoul, if you make an effort to participate in the culture you will be rewarded. The more Koreans observe you putting forth the effort, the more receptive they will become towards you. Don\u2019t be afraid to be uncomfortable. To surprise yourself in a challenging situation can be one of the most rewarding experiences traveling has to offer.<\/p>\n

By Nathaniel Kostar<\/strong><\/p>\n

[Seoul Street Night Scene by temp13rec\/Flickr<\/a>; Cheering for your baseball team by SamsungTomorrow\/Flickr<\/a>; Travel in South Korea by ihaterainy\/Flickr<\/a>; Nakji Bokkeum by Suddenly Susan\/Flickr<\/a><\/em>]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

About the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nathaniel Kostar is a freelance writer and student currently pursuing his MFA in creative writing with The University of New Orleans. He is working on his first non-fiction book, which details his journey as he attempts to learn poetry, art, fighting, music, dance and philosophy (all skills expected of Italian Renaissance men) in various countries around the world. More of his writing can be found on his blog at WeSproutWings.com<\/a>.
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