#3. Fun night life

My grandparents might just want to skip reading this one. Suffice it to say that there are many fun things to do in Korea, and I have enjoyed my fair share of them. :)

#3. Fun night lifeKorean might seem a little strange to the foreigners who haven't visited before. In one night, you might hop around between six or so places, switching between groups of people and making lots of random new friends that you probably won't remember in the morning. Of course, every night is a little different, but they all usually contain some combination of the same old elements.

My night out will usually start at a convenience store, where you can get either cheap beer or (for the brave, thrill-seeking individuals) a bottle of soju. During the warmer months, almost all convenience stores have tables with umbrellas set up outside so you can just sit back and enjoy your drink and some snacks without having to worry about whose tiny apartment to go to. It's also a cheap way to start your evening--a bottle of soju will run you about $1, while a 12oz beer starts at around $1.50.

From there, the next stop is usually either a hof--where you can get food and cheap beer--or any number of western bars in the area. No matter where you happen to live in Korea, there is always a bar that advertises itself as "western", which really only means that they have some kind of liquor in addition to beer and soju. Of course, not all western bars are created equal, just as back home. The foreigners in Bundang frequent a Canadian bar called Travelers, which serves some of the best burgers and wings in Korea (according to several surveys). This is usually the most expensive part of my night, because depending on where you go, the cost of food and the drinks you buy can get a little pricey. Either way, I've never really been disappointed to hear some wes

tern music and surround myself with some English conversation before heading back out into the night.

After this, most foreigners will hit up a different bar, usually either another hof or a beer garden--which Bundang has a surprising number of. The favorite in the area is a little beer bar a few minutes from my school, which has giant tables and coolers full of imported beers from around the world. Of course, the good stuff is expensive--you can end up spending more than a bit if you stick to the microbrews. However, they usually have at least one or two brands on sale, and it's a good way to get yourself ready for the next phase of your night.

At this point with my group of friends, there is usually more than one of us clamoring to head to the nearest norebang and get our drunk singing going. Norebang and karaoke are essentially the same. The biggest difference I've noticed is that the norebang will automatically give you additional time, but unless you want to pay a pretty penny for whiskey or soju, you are best off sneaking something in stuffed into a large purse or bag (not that I have ever done this, of course!). We can usually spend two or three hours singing at a norebang. They have plenty of English and Japanese songs, and once you get to a certain level of comfort you are even willing to try out some of the slower k-pop songs to impress your Korean friends with your reading ability. I really wish I could dedicate an entire post to the wonders of norebang and how it has helped me realize my potential as the lead singer in the newest music sensation, but I'm pretty sure that as much fun as I have when I sing, I'm no where near as good as I sound with all those echoes. Oh well....

Singing takes a lot out of a person, so after leaving the norebang the next step is usually a street vendor to sit and have some more soju and some street food. Korean street food is a cuisine all to itself. My favorites are ddoekbokki (rice and fish cakes in a super spicy sauce) and the many kinds of meat-on-a-stick, which they barbecue like at a restaurant and serve to you on the go. Of course, between eating your way through several of these stalls and trying to keep track of all the people you arrived with, you're bound to be pretty confused by the time you get to this part of your night. Which is why it is the perfect last stop before dancing the rest of the night away at a club.

The Korean clubs are pretty tame, by all standards. Most of the ones in Seoul will be packed with foreigners, but in Bundang we are blessed with a decent club where you can hear a good DJ, cash in on a drink special, and spend the whole night not worrying about who is going to steal your purse while you dance. Well, I say dance, but in my case perhaps I should clarify "dance" to be something I do with all the pent up energy of the ddeokbokki and beer I just consumed. I'm pretty sure if anyone ever took a video of it, I would be so ashamed I would never drink again. Korean clubs are pretty safe, and a good way to spend the last hours of nighttime before you decide to get some McDonald's breakfast and head home.

The chief concern for the poor teacher is the price tag on these nights out. A typical night like the one mentioned above will usually cost me around $50, including my cab fare home. Not bad considering. Of course, you can spend more depending on how many of the foreigner bars you go to. Still, I like knowing that I can go out on a Friday night, have a great time, and still be able to make my credit card payment. I wonder how things in Austin will compare?