[HanCinema's Interview Corner] Ten Questions for the: PARTY ANIMAL

Seoul is a buzzing and happening city that boasts an exciting and vibrant nightlife. Where are some of your favourite hangouts and what is it about those places that keeps you coming back for more?

Well I'm fan of so many places. There's of course Rhythm and Booze, my main hangout in Bucheon. The owner is a good friend, the people are all friendly, and the overall atmosphere and life of the place makes you feel like you're at home.

Besides that, really, there are so many good clubs in this country. A lot of people will right away say Volume, but honestly, I never took to it. There are many other clubs like Mansion, Ellui, Answer, and more, which I have gone to amazing parties and live performances.

And also, there's always just good old HOFs, especially during the summer. You can grab a bite to eat, enjoy the nice weather, and have a drink.

The fact that Korea loves to drink is no secret, with soju, makgeolli, and local beers being the mainstay of their drinking culture. What are some of your top local flavours and are there any drinks you struggle to find here in Korea?

Well when I first came here, I was a huge fan of soju. Too big of a fan actually. I would drink a whole litre by myself in a night and keep going. Now a days I usually just drink beer. During the winter I enjoy hot Saki with some raw fish.

I really do miss good home brewed/brewery beers. There are a few here, but not like back home.

What cities in Korea have you visited and of these which has the most attractive nightlife that you would recommend to newcomers?

Wow. Well I've been to Hongdae, Itaewon, Busan, Jeju-si, Ilsan, etc... Really, they all have their own special aspects to them. Hongdae is usually most popular, because it's home to some of the most well known clubs, but it also has a bit of everything for everyone. You can enjoy time in the park listening to a jam session, you can go to the clubs, eat at a HOF, go to a Punk show, etc...

Itaewon, well that's another story. It's a great place to go eat and then hit up a pub afterwards. Many little, but well run establishments, are in that area which are always bursting with people.

And then for the rest, well you catch my drift. Depending on who you are, what you want, you can find it about anywhere.

Sometimes as a foreigner in Korea we can't always find the foods we would usually eat back home. What is you favourite food in Korea that you enjoy before, during, and after a night out?

Chilli Cheese Dakboki is awesome while drinking. I love the Korean BBQs before, during and after. And every once in a while, you gotta enjoy the Tofu. Korea does it big on the Tofu scene actually, and they do it right.

Is partying in Korea any different from back home? And if it is, what are some of things that struck you as different?

Closing time, you don't have to go home, and you can stay here. In Korea, you go to sleep after saying hello to the sun. Well, I used to be like that at least. Now a days, I've tried to cut back from that, but honestly, it's hard. The bars are always hoppin', the restaurants never close, and the people are always out. Back home, stores close by midnight, bars by 2, and everything is dead. Here, you can always find life, no matter what the hour is.

Korea has a wide range of nightlife options, from the countless number of regular bars and pubs, to juicy bars and karaoke. What are some of the types of places that you enjoy and is there any specific information newcomers should know before choosing where to have a drink?

Well, again, back to what I said earlier, it just depends on the person.

However, different from my home there are these key places.

Singing Room: I don't sing, but I'll go chill. Koreans love these spots and will sing their hearts out. If you go there though, be prepared to drink Soju.Sexy Bars: Gotta do it. It's a money breaker, it's a tease, and it's a great story/memory. I don't go often, and really I don't go for the women, but I go because it's a fun thing to do about once to twice a year. Get some friends on some random night, and just go to one. We usually end up being the only/last ones in there, the girls love us, because we're not getting aggressive/perverted with them like all the old Korean men, and the girls will usually have some interesting stories. Last time we went to one of the places, me and my buddies ended up shirtless posing for pics, our female friend changed outfits with the one girl working, and we drank with a police officer who we met on the way to there.Convenient Store: Just go to a 7/11 and sit outside. An open container here is permitted. That's that, and it's awesome on a nice night and it's cheap.

Okay, so Korean girls. Are they all as beautiful and sexy as the K-dramas and films would have us believe? What has your experience been with the opposite sex here in Korea?

I feel like this will get me in trouble, but yes. I really love all women. Now don't take this the wrong way. I've been called a playboy plenty of times, but I think it's a major misconception. I have no problem going out with a girl, and just enjoying their company. A lot of people don't think that way though, and always think a guy and a girl hanging out alone means sexy time. Whatever though. But that's beside the point. What I'm trying to get at is, yes. They are beautiful, they are sexy, they can be freaky, and they can be kind. I've met/dated/hung out with some amazing women since I've been here. I've also broke some hearts and have had my heart broken. At the end of the day though, not to be racist, but as foreigners say, I have yellow fever. I will 100% marry a Korean woman, because over all, beyond beauty, beyond talents, really, they're all about loyalty, and that's amazing to me.

Is going out in Korea expensive? If someone was planning a good night out with friends how much should they be looking to spend?

I've had unforgettable nights for W10,000 and I've had terrible nights for W500,000. It's your gun, your wallet. Pull the trigger as you please. Beer can be cheaper here, but that's about it.

Do you have any last advice, information, or tips for newcomers about Korea's nightlife?

Just don't hold back. Don't be afraid. This may be a once in a lifetime thing for you or you might end up writing a long chapter in your life here. Whatever you do, just don't waste it. If you see someone you want to talk to, then do it. If you want to try something, try it. If you've always dreamed of meeting a girl or guy like that, take the chance. Drink, dance, laugh, cry, and leap. You'll hit walls, but you'll also make dreams reality.

Lastly, do you have any funny or memorable stories from your experiences with Korea's nightlife?

Do you mean that time I woke up on a Korean BBQ patio at 6am? Or that time when I didn't sleep for over 24 hours at Mudfest and got the worse sunburn ever, while also misplacing my cell phone and shoes and shirt, which I later recovered from a man in Incheon? Or Do you mean that time when....

Just make it count people. Time goes fast, people come and go, and we mature. Don't regret it later.

Love Korea~

Name: Harry Delaney

Age: 27 (29 Korean age)

Occupation in Korea: Teacher/Promoter/DJ

Nationality: USA

Home Town: Pennsylvania

City in Korea: Bucheon

Time spent in Korea: 4 years

Best thing about Korea: The people

Least favourite thing about Korea: Distance from home

 

- C.J Wheeler (Christcjw@gmail.com)

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