It's been almost twenty - yes, twenty -years since I've been in Seoul as a US military member. Thought I'd post a few thoughts about it since I'm back here for a brief business meeting.
Back then, social media didn't exist, foreigners outside of a few select areas were uncommon, and the smartest phone you could get was a pager. As a twenty-something guy with a modicum of Korean language skills, gaming was not difficult at all. It was possible to do without Korean language skills, but it still took a little effort - a lot of my meathead American military buddies were intimidated and clueless as to what to do without their "Camaro and douchebag" game they relied on back home.
At the most, they would venture to foreigner friendly-ish areas in Seoul not far from the main American military base like Itaewon which attracted Korean women looking for foreign dick and perhaps a husband. Unfortunately, associating with them limited what I could do and accessible venues, so I did the "pretend I'm a Canadian English teacher" game to access venues ordinarily prohibited to US servicemen. With the right dress, demeanor and haircut, it often worked. Once I picked up a decent level of Korean language skills, the lays got even easier no matter where I went.
Though I am only here for a couple of days, I suspect my approach would be different a) because I'm older and rely more on social / professional circle game and b) because the game landscape here changed. Walking through the city I still got plenty of IOIs and struck up a few conversations that could easily have turned into number closings and possibly SNLs with better logistics and time constraints. As for some of the changes:
Whats the same:
- Korean women are still mostly skinny and feminine
- Plenty of them are still interested in foreigners
- Public transport is great
- Some places still won't accept foreigners
- Gangam is still a popular nightlife spot for both Koreans and non-Koreans
- Itaewon is still popular with foreigners
- Many Korean men have no game and are outwardly passive
What's changed:
- Korean women are glued to their smartphones
- Korean women are even more materialistic
- K-pop is influencing their style; 26 year olds dressing like 13 year olds.
- Public transport is even better and more extensive
- Fewer problems with places not friendly to foreigners, but also because now I'm older/not military; choosing different venues.
- Gangnam is even more expensive/trendy/foodie/western, but very popular night spot
- Southern part of the city - south of the river - is more up and coming. North = "old" city
- Itaewon - the night life, anyway - is more gay/tranny/disgusting. This used to be prime hunting ground for the new foreigner looking for his flag. Now? Avoid.
- Korean men are aping a weird K-pop/Justin Bieber look. Not masculine at all.
- Homosexuals and even trannies are more common, but not commonplace. Yet...
- Chains have taken over everything, but it's not all bad. The presence of Starbucks created more independent coffee shops slinging good java. No such thing years ago.
Example A:
![[Image: GeKWtmJ.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/GeKWtmJ.jpg)
The girl on the left is wearing heels and looks good, but once on the train I noticed she was also a lot older - close to 40. The one on the right is about 26, wearing the typical sneakers/K-pop footwear, though at least she's thin and wearing a skirt. Hopefully she still has a few sets of heels for going out at night.
The brown-burnt hair look is still popular as it was twenty years ago. They should just stop trying to color it and leave it gorgeous black, but that's my opinion.
Example B:
![[Image: 7vWn0Wk.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/7vWn0Wk.jpg)
Smartphones have taken over; zombies everywhere. Young, old - nobody is safe. Not sure about nowadays, but I number closed a few women on the subway years back with very little effort, and they did not flake. With the right approach it could probably still work.
I think charisma, language and foreign game can get you pretty far in Korea. For those in doubt, have a look at this guy - no idea who he is - close this woman in the subway. He sounds like an absolute retard and almost tried to fuck it up, but if he can get a number acting like this in Seoul, you probably can too.
Anyway, my two cents on the passage of time in one of my old favorite spots.
Back then, social media didn't exist, foreigners outside of a few select areas were uncommon, and the smartest phone you could get was a pager. As a twenty-something guy with a modicum of Korean language skills, gaming was not difficult at all. It was possible to do without Korean language skills, but it still took a little effort - a lot of my meathead American military buddies were intimidated and clueless as to what to do without their "Camaro and douchebag" game they relied on back home.
At the most, they would venture to foreigner friendly-ish areas in Seoul not far from the main American military base like Itaewon which attracted Korean women looking for foreign dick and perhaps a husband. Unfortunately, associating with them limited what I could do and accessible venues, so I did the "pretend I'm a Canadian English teacher" game to access venues ordinarily prohibited to US servicemen. With the right dress, demeanor and haircut, it often worked. Once I picked up a decent level of Korean language skills, the lays got even easier no matter where I went.
Though I am only here for a couple of days, I suspect my approach would be different a) because I'm older and rely more on social / professional circle game and b) because the game landscape here changed. Walking through the city I still got plenty of IOIs and struck up a few conversations that could easily have turned into number closings and possibly SNLs with better logistics and time constraints. As for some of the changes:
Whats the same:
- Korean women are still mostly skinny and feminine
- Plenty of them are still interested in foreigners
- Public transport is great
- Some places still won't accept foreigners
- Gangam is still a popular nightlife spot for both Koreans and non-Koreans
- Itaewon is still popular with foreigners
- Many Korean men have no game and are outwardly passive
What's changed:
- Korean women are glued to their smartphones
- Korean women are even more materialistic
- K-pop is influencing their style; 26 year olds dressing like 13 year olds.
- Public transport is even better and more extensive
- Fewer problems with places not friendly to foreigners, but also because now I'm older/not military; choosing different venues.
- Gangnam is even more expensive/trendy/foodie/western, but very popular night spot
- Southern part of the city - south of the river - is more up and coming. North = "old" city
- Itaewon - the night life, anyway - is more gay/tranny/disgusting. This used to be prime hunting ground for the new foreigner looking for his flag. Now? Avoid.
- Korean men are aping a weird K-pop/Justin Bieber look. Not masculine at all.
- Homosexuals and even trannies are more common, but not commonplace. Yet...
- Chains have taken over everything, but it's not all bad. The presence of Starbucks created more independent coffee shops slinging good java. No such thing years ago.
Example A:
The girl on the left is wearing heels and looks good, but once on the train I noticed she was also a lot older - close to 40. The one on the right is about 26, wearing the typical sneakers/K-pop footwear, though at least she's thin and wearing a skirt. Hopefully she still has a few sets of heels for going out at night.
The brown-burnt hair look is still popular as it was twenty years ago. They should just stop trying to color it and leave it gorgeous black, but that's my opinion.
Example B:
Smartphones have taken over; zombies everywhere. Young, old - nobody is safe. Not sure about nowadays, but I number closed a few women on the subway years back with very little effort, and they did not flake. With the right approach it could probably still work.
I think charisma, language and foreign game can get you pretty far in Korea. For those in doubt, have a look at this guy - no idea who he is - close this woman in the subway. He sounds like an absolute retard and almost tried to fuck it up, but if he can get a number acting like this in Seoul, you probably can too.
Anyway, my two cents on the passage of time in one of my old favorite spots.