A guide to Gwangju (광주), and to a lesser extent South Korea.

A guide to Gwangju (광주), and to a lesser extent South Korea.
A definitive guide to Gwangju (광주) and South Korea is impossible as a lot businesses don't last long.
Places pop up and disappear faster than the cherry blossom bloom so this guide is going to go over the broad strokes and focus on bigger establishments than tend to last longer.

Transportation:
The public transport in Gwangju is pretty good and easy to use.
What you need is a "hanpay" card that you can use on both the subway and buses.
You can pick one up from any convenience store (7/11, CU, G25) and charge it at the store, subway stations and even online. Note, this card is for Gwangju and you'll probably need something similar if you travel to different cities in Korea.
https://www.hanpay.net/

(Image from www.gwangjunewsgic.com)

Supermarkets
There's the big 3; Lotte mart (lottemart.com), E-mart (emart.com) and Homeplus (homeplus.co.kr).
All these stores are basically departments stores with sections for food, electronics, clothing etc.
However, they are relatively expensive and you'd be better going to a local mart 마트 (SMmart - www.smmart.kr) for food. In addition, be aware the big 3 don't open the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.

School / Household Supplies
The best place to pick up anything for the house or school is a dollar store type place called Daiso (다이소)
www.daiso.co.kr

(Image from seoulistic.com)

Clothing / Electronic Stores
There are many clothing shops in the Gwangju city center. The city center which can be reached via the subway station 금남로4가 (Geumnamno 4 Ga). There are many local shops but also big brand stores such as H&M, Uniqlo and Zara with staff that general speak more English.
There is also high-end clothing at Sejong Outlet which is right next to the Sangmu subway station.
In addition, there is also U-Square which is the biggest mall in Gwangju and houses the bus terminal as well.
For electronics there is a huge department store called Kumho World near U-Square. www.ikumhoworld.co.kr

Banks
There are many banks you can sign up with but we'd recommend KEB.
KEB (or the Korea Exchange Bank - 외환은행) www.keb.co.kr/main/en is a bank that specifically caters to foreign business thus has more English speaking services and even online banking.

Cinema
There are many cinemas that you can visit in Korea, including Lotte Cinema, Megabox and CGV.
We personally recommend CGV (http://www.cgv.co.kr/reserve/show-times/eng/).
CGV tends to have more English speakers and most have ticket machines with an English option.
There is also this great site http://cineinkorea.com/movie/index.php that provides times in English.

Doctor / Dentist
For a dentist there is
http://mediphildent.com/
Next to usquare/shinsegae. There is a footbridge close to shinsegae on the main road. Cross the bridge and you will see a bank. The entrance is where the IDk Bank is and on the 6th floor.

Fitness
There are no big gym brands in Gwangju so most places are local.
We go to Star Fitness which is located on the 6th floor above SMmart.
It's only 5 minutes from Sangmu subway station.











Karaoke
There are many great Korean Karaoke/Singing rooms or locally called Noraebang 노래방.
In the city center there is an 'Alien' themed room which is is in the building next to the Burger King where the arcade games area is (35.147004, 126.916903).Below is a guide to the controls that you'll find in the different rooms:
http://www.korea4expats.com/article-noraebang-machine-functions-english-translation.html

Other Resources:
The best resource for life in Gwangju is the GIC Gwangju International Center (eng.gic.or.kr)
We personally recommend their Korean Classes.
Social media is also a great resource, especiaaly the Gwangju group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2330675731/

Immigration
Address: 광주출입국관리사무소행정실 광주광역시서구쌍촌동
627-1 Gwanju Immigration Office Seo-gu, Ssangchon-dong, 627-1
Relocation Date: Monday November 4th, 2013
Phone Number: +82 62-605-5333
Public Transportation -
Bus #16, 19, 69, 72, 760, stop @ Honam University Entrance (호남대입구) - Subway stop @ Uncheon Station (Honam University) 운천역 (호남대입구), Exit 4
Hours:Open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 am until 18:00 pm. Closed for 1 hr between 12:00 pm and 13:00 pm for lunch. Open on Saturday from 09:00 am – 13:00 pm. Closed on Sundays and Holidays.
*TIP* Smiling and being friendly seems to speed things along considerably. These people have a difficult job…try not to make it more so by yelling at them.
-Fingerprinting, if you need it, can be done at any of the large police stations…not the little “on the corner” ones. Print out the card from your government’s website and head on down. The one I know many people go to is at the end of Art Street nearest the Culture Center construction. Big place with a wall around it.
-Immigrationis where you go to renew your visa. You will fill out a form at the desk when you go in. Check the “Extension of Sojourn” box. Take a number for Residence and wait. Cost: 30,000 won. Bring your passport, copy of contract, and your school’s business license. Many schools will take care of this for you…this is for those that don’t.
-You can also get a new ARC here. Same form as the renewal, different box. Will cost @10,000. Bring a picture on a white background. They have a photo booth outside the office if you forget.
-Same form for changing your address as the above two items.
-If your Visa is an E-2, it is tied to your place of employment. You work in Korea with your school’s permission. Working at another job without it is illegal. Some programs like EPIK have understandings with other schools. Other opportunities may come up through your school. Try to find out what your school allows. Private tutoring is generally not allowed unless you are an F visa holder.
(great guide from Brian Burgoyne)

Facebook:
Below is an awesome list from the (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2330675731/) gwangju fb group.

A small collection of groups around Gwangju (with which you may become involved):

Nerd Culture:

The Collective: https://www.facebook.com/groups/235702633253214/
Gwangju Tabletop Players:https://www.facebook.com/groups/509676919069734/
Gwangju Game Exchange:https://www.facebook.com/groups/164667410313238/
Gwangju Board Games Club:https://www.facebook.com/groups/178693872194160/
Gwangju Magic Players:https://www.facebook.com/groups/633049646715191/
Gwangju Wargamers:https://www.facebook.com/groups/483058101793674/
Gwangju Chess:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/197097030362009/
Gwangju Cosplay: https://www.facebook.com/groups/622858204469349/

Arts and Entertainment:

Gwangju Photography Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gwangjupc/
Gwangju Artist Collective:https://www.facebook.com/groups/217124318293/
Gwangju Writing Groups:https://www.facebook.com/groups/199740556849330/
CREATE and GIFT: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CreateAndGift/
Gwangju Juggling: https://www.facebook.com/groups/383709831711493/
Gwangju Performance Project:https://www.facebook.com/groups/247670875342672/
Gwangju NaNoWriMo:https://www.facebook.com/groups/462935570403859/
Gwangju Euchre Lovers:https://www.facebook.com/groups/225019097581700/
Gwangju Book Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/68487510072/
Gwangju Stitch & Bitch (knitting/crochet/etc.):https://www.facebook.com/groups/307669809622/
Petit à Petit  쁘띠 따 쁘띠https://www.facebook.com/groups/petitapetit/
Language Lounge in Gwangju: https://www.facebook.com/groups/languagelounge/

Buying/Selling/Trading:

Gwangju Currency Exchange:https://www.facebook.com/groups/714253218601199/
Gwangju Home Businesses:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1374527246151182/
Jeolla-do One Stop Flea Market:https://www.facebook.com/groups/thejuonestop/
Gwangju-Jeolla Second Hand Store:https://www.facebook.com/groups/404333959670566/
Gwangju Freecycle: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gwangjufreecycle/
Gwangju Book and Magazine Sellers and Traders:https://www.facebook.com/groups/587114221340945/
Gwangju Housing and Rentals:https://www.facebook.com/groups/530396783676298/
MacPC Guys (computer parts/repairs):https://www.facebook.com/groups/KoreaMacPCGuys/

  

Athletics:

Gwangju Climbing Team:https://www.facebook.com/groups/178981185621680/
Gwangju Inter FC: https://www.facebook.com/groups/70583932242/
Gwangju Running Club:https://www.facebook.com/groups/113340165347695/
Gwangju Cricket: https://www.facebook.com/groups/238905016227191/
GIST Volleyball Club:https://www.facebook.com/groups/225583140964871/
Gwangju Basketball Club:https://www.facebook.com/groups/260555600667322/
Taekwondo: https://www.facebook.com/groups/443567179032931/?ref=br_rs
Gwangju Ladies' Soccer:https://www.facebook.com/groups/161750414018652/?ref=br_rs
Gwangju Ultimate Frisbee:https://www.facebook.com/groups/185585458154674/?ref=br_rs

Gwangju Hikers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/895350487188528/?fref=nf

Restaurants/Cafes/Taphouses:

Tequilaz:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tequilazr/
Corona Mexican Food:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/146972625500831/
The First Alleyway:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/345509095224/
Alley Tap House: https://www.facebook.com/allytaphouse?ref=profile
Able Taphouse: https://www.facebook.com/abletaphouse?ref=ts&fref=ts

Voyagers: https://www.facebook.com/voyagersgwangju?fref=ts

Jobs:

Gwangju-Jeolla Job Bank:https://www.facebook.com/groups/154136797947014/

Community:

Global Families of Gwangju:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1415320322015004/
Jeolla-do Travel Advice:https://www.facebook.com/groups/551274054925072/
Gwangju-Jeolla Pet Sitters:https://www.facebook.com/groups/138227567287/
Gwangju Language Exchange:https://www.facebook.com/groups/258201910995284/
Gwangju EPIK Teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4951693838/
Ladies of Gwangju and Vicinity:https://www.facebook.com/groups/gwangjuwomen/
Gwangju Korean Learners Club:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/338781432841101/
GIC Talk:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/191633644281304/
Jeollanamdo Readers & Speakers Club:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/152066238290044/
Gwangju Heath Care: https://www.facebook.com/groups/519690444837832/
광주동부 "피해자 전담경찰관" Victim Support Officer (Gwangju Korean Police Officer for Crime Victim Support): https://www.facebook.com/victimsupportcop?fref=ts

Gwangsangu-ers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/129079153968737/345627412313909/?notif_t=group_activity

Gwangju Community Builders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/452871204866054/

 

Ecology:

Gwangju Birds Korea:https://www.facebook.com/groups/birdskoreagwangju/
Gwangju Window Gardens:https://www.facebook.com/groups/572225996206954/

Clean Gwangju: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CleanGwangju

Lifestyle/Well-being:

Gwangju Meditation Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/408348579191780/
Reiki Exchange:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/421194037972085/
Gwangju Veggie Club:https://www.facebook.com/groups/241128392567698/
Gwangju Foodies: https://www.facebook.com/groups/372251809476685/
Gwangju Yoga: https://www.facebook.com/groups/102721549793483/
Jeolla Safety Alliance:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/531604226867515/
Gwangju Energy Community:
https://www.facebook.com/gjenergy
Gwangju Fitness: https://www.facebook.com/groups/540385619327509/

House (No. 3) Warming

At the end of the month, after settling in we decided to invite our co-workers over for a house warming and get together. Unlike Christmas, I only prepped snacks this time around. Veggies and chips. Everyone bought some drinks and dessert to share. There were raspberry sponge cake and cheesecake!

Most of the native teachers showed up and had no trouble finding our place because we are so much closer now. Two Korean teachers showed up! One even bought us a box of strawberries and toilet paper. Apparently a Korean tradition when someone moves into a new place is bring toilet paper. Interesting...

Rather than dancing, we opted for Cards Against Humanity game instead. It was great, especially when I was doing so well. It was great just socializing and talking with each other. As this was at the end of the semester, we had a lot of stories to share about our students and classes. We all dolled out advice on how to manage certain students and classes. The next month, we would have a whole new schedule and new classes and new students (obviously).

There are two major breaks in the Korean school semester: summer and winter. And also two new semester starts: September and March. Korean students graduate in February and move to a new level in March. So every March we would get a whole new schedule and change classes and students. In September, nothing really changes. But this is a busy time for new incoming foreign teachers. Our school should be expecting some new foreign teachers at that time.

Comedy Show @ Speakeasy Gwangju

One thing Neil wanted to pursue is comedy. Unfortunately Gwangju still hasn't built a big enough community of comics to really go anywhere. So whenever we go to the bigger cities like Seoul and Busan, we try to go to a comedy night. It's a shame that most happens on weeknights instead of weekends when we can go there. It's too bad.

When Neil heard there's a comedy night at the local pub Speakeasy, we made a point to head there. This comic was someone we had seen in Seoul: Brian Aylward. He was hosting a amateur comedy night and was very good so we knew it was going to be a good show. Apparently Brian has been on a tour all over Asia. 

We ended sitting with the comic himself! and a few of his friends. They were all very nice. Brian is actually Canadian, so I instantly liked him! His set was very good, as we had expected. Then we spent the rest of the night chatting and drinking with him and his friends. After numerous drinks and shots, I was well tipsy and super tired. We don't normally go out at night very much so I usually get tired easily. And especially with some alcohol in us. But it was definitely a good night, I'd do it again in a heart beat, even if it meant all the suffering the next morning.