Quirks I miss about South Korea

Introduction

South Korea gave me an incredible year and a half of my life. In my early twenties, I was straight out of university, and it was the first time I ever lived abroad but certainly not the last. It was a game-changer and a catalyst for the way that I would live from then on. There’s something very different about living abroad than traveling or going on holiday that is quite magical. All those everyday little things suddenly become a challenge and an adventure. Things you don’t even bat an eyelid at back home. Opening a bank account, working out the subway system, or getting groceries. And then there are the little things about everyday life that are unique to this new country that you live in. I wanted to share some of my favourites from South Korea with you.

Couple Look

We need to take some time out to appreciate how hilarious and amazing matching couple outfits are. I never got bored of them, even after 18 months of seeing them pretty much every day.

You name it, and they can match it. Swimwear, check. Trainers, check. T-shirt, check. Winter coat, check. Skinny jeans, check. Bodywarmer, check. Backpack, check. Phone case, well, you get the idea.

My personal favourite is when you get a full matching set. BINGO! Winner! Now that’s true love.

Noribangs — Korean karaoke rooms

I have a confession to make…..I hate karaoke. Hate it! This is probably something to do with having to endure it sober every week back when I worked in a pub, but still, it pains me and my ears. Sorry, everyone. That being said, Koreans (and the Japanese) do it right.

No embarrassing yourself in front of strangers.

No having to sit through other peoples’ screechy renditions of 80s power ballads.

No feeling sorry for the girl who just got dumped and is singing power tunes as revenge. And feeling angry on her behalf when the ex-boyfriend gets up with his new girlfriend to sing a duet. Ouch.

Hire a singing room for just you and your friends as an after-party. Perfect for when the bars close and you don’t want to go home yet. Load up on beers and snacks. Sing your hearts out. Job done. Nice one, Korea.

Organised fun and strict “Beach season”

What a difference a day makes. There is an official date that “beach season begins” in Busan, South Korea. And any day before that, you will not see anyone enjoying the beach properly, it’s the exact same beautiful weather but the beach is near empty. Then that official day comes the beach is suddenly unrecognizable. The sand disappears under umbrellas. The sea disappears under yellow rubber rings. I thought I’d seen busy beaches in summer, in Europe but I ain’t seen nothing! Busan beaches are a whole other level. You have to see it to believe it.

The dates for going to the beach are not the only form of organised fun that is heavily controlled. Come 6 pm in the summer; the speakers cry out, “Get out of the sea. The beach is now closing.” The beach is what? What are you on about speakers?

Dare swim (I’m using the term loosely here) near the buoys, and you are met with a barrage of whistle screams from the lifeguards or even a scary visit from a jet ski ninja (a lifeguard in a full body and face wet-suit on a jet ski). But the water at the buoys is only just above my waist; it’s not even deep enough to swim. You don’t swim in Korea. You bob about, you stand and chat, or you lie on a rubber ring in your high heels while your dutiful boyfriend pulls you along.

An easy game to play is “Spot the foreigner.” Yes, they are the only people on the beach in swim shorts or bikinis and not cowering under an umbrella. I swear the older generation wears more clothing and layers than they do in winter. Full-length spandex sleeves to cover your arms underneath your t-shirt and full-length spandex leg sleeves under your shorts to cover your legs. White gloves, a visor so big that a human head should not physically support its weight, and if you are lucky, a face mask. The younger generation is scandalous, wearing nothing but denim shorts, oversized t-shirts, swim hoodies, and baseball caps. All of which they swim in. Maybe this is why the beach is so policed? You could easily sink and drown trying to swim in all those clothes.

I’ve never seen beaches taken so seriously. I’ve never seen a beach with such strict rules. It really tickled me. Beach season was some of the best people-watching there is.

Jimjilbangs — Korean naked spa

So I have another confession to make. I did not go to a jimjilbang. Not once. Not even spa land when I lived in Busan.

“Oh, it’s soooo relaxing.”

“Really?! Then why am I sweating and getting nervous just thinking about it?”

The thought of getting naked in front of a load of naked strangers sounds the opposite of relaxing. I don’t care how nice the pool is. I can’t. I just can’t!

One night in Seoul, we stayed the night in a jimjilbang (it doesn’t really count because I never went to the actual spa bit) because they are way cheaper than a love motel or a hostel. “Don’t worry, we’ll just stay in the sleeping area, in the pajama bit. There won’t be any naked people there.” my friends lied. There were naked people EVERYWHERE. Wandering about all over the place. Just chilling out, sat in the mirror, doing their make-up, drying their hair, chatting with friends.

The same goes for swimming pools. I went with my Korean friend from work. I’d known her for 2 weeks, but I know exactly what she looks like with no clothes on. The communal showers were nude. My prudish British sensibilities could not cope. Back in the changing room she put her t-shirt back on but no pants like a toddler and stood chatting to me like that for 10 minutes. I had to try not to make eye contact with her bush.

These are the same people who would rather swim in their clothes than a swimsuit at the beach and think tank tops are obscene. Korea, you do confuse me sometimes.

Final Thoughts

I look back on those things with such fond memories and would love to travel back to Korea one day. Even just to smile at couples in matching outfits, sing my heart out in a karaoke room, bath in the madness of beach season, or maybe even brave a naked spa?

Thank you for reading! Hearts and tips are always welcome and your support is very much appreciated.

This story was originally published on Medium

If you’re interested in visiting and would like to read more, check out Lonely Planet’s travel guide to South Korea (This is an affiliate link)

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Georgina Nelson. Traveller. Writer. Photographer. Yoga teacher.

Sh*t Happens — because the things that go wrong make the funniest stories.