[edit] Leisure and Culture 여가•문화
Korean local government bodies operate various public facilities to aid the leisurely enjoyment of the population. These facilities are open to anyone living in the area, including foreign nationals.
[edit] Cultural Centers 문화원
Most cities (si 시) and counties (gun 군) have cultural centers. These may be small, but there will be a great deal of information and research documentation about the region. This will help you understand local traditions. There are not usually people fluent in foreign languages at local cultural centers, so go with a
friend who can converse in Korean. These centers offer classes on flower arrangement, various cultural subjects, local history, etc. Information about these classes may be obtained over the telephone.
[edit] Libraries 도서관
Cities, counties, and city districts (gu 구) operate public libraries. You may borrow books from these libraries, or participate in the cultural classes or other various programs they often offer.
[edit] Community Hall 시민회관
Cities and counties operate community halls or women's halls that offer diverse programs that may include classes on cultural subjects, foreign languages, choir singing, and so on. Many activities are free of charge, and even when there are fees, they are not much. As you participate in the activities that interest you, you will make friends and life in Korea will become more enjoyable.
[edit] Museums, Art Museums 박물관, 미술관
You can tell a country's history and culture by its museums. By going to art museums you can see the artistic trends of the area.
[edit] Sports 스포츠
Korea is strong in sports. Seoul hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics, and Korea placed fourth. In 2002, Korea co-hosted the World Cup, and it surprised the world by ranking fourth.
The country is also the home of Tae Kwon Do (태권도). Common sports include tennis, swimming, bowling, and others, while many people also train their energy (기수련) at Danhak centers (단학원). There are many sports centers in downtown areas.
[edit] Local Festivals 향토축제
Every region in Korea has a traditional festival of its own, held every spring. The reflect both long traditions and changed social practices. This makes these festivals a good way to see the traditional characteristics of each region and see the diverse ways of life of the Korean nation.
Information about local festivals may be found on the homepage of the
local government, or by inquiring at its information
office (공보실) or tourism office (관광과).
[edit] Neighborhood Leisure Facilities 동네주변 위락시설
[edit] Coffee Houses 다방
Coffee houses (dabang 다방) will have coffee, fruit juices, ginseng tea (인삼차), and mainly similar drinks. They are appropriate places to meet people or to relax.
[edit] Restaurants 레스토랑
When an eating establishment uses the English word "restaurant" (레스토랑) for its Korean name, it will sell steak and other such Western foods, although you should usually be able to simply have coffee or tea as in a coffee house.
[edit] Beer Halls 호프집
Beer halls (hopeujip 호 프 집 ) serve beer and simple snacks to have together. They are relatively inexpensive.
[edit] Noraebang 노래방
Noraebang (노래방), or "singing rooms," are a popular form of entertainment after a group of people have eaten or drunk alcoholic beverages together. There will be separate rooms within the establishment. Each one will have large television monitors. When you enter the number of the song you wish to sing, a device begins to play the accompanying music and the words to the song will move across the screen of the monitor. Follow the words and sing the song. The cost of use is usually calculated by periods of 30 minutes or one hour.
[edit] PC Bang PC 방
The reason Korea gets called the world's "most wired" country or an "IT powerhouse" is because in both downtown areas as well as deep in the countryside, there are internet cafes known as pc bang (PC 방). Here you may search the internet, find information, play online games, and engage in other wired activity. You will pay for usage fees charged by the hour or half hour.
[edit] DVD/Video Rooms DVD방/비디오방
These will have separate rooms where you may watch a movie of your selection on video. Choose the DVD/tape you want to see at the counter as you enter, then watch it in one of the rooms equipped with a television and video machine.
Use costs between 7,000won and 10,000won for two-person rooms, and can go between 10,000 and 13,000 for larger rooms.
