South of Seoul
Founded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul's information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of "South of Seoul" include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences.
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Trapped in a Korean Parking Garage: A Guide to Getting Out
Tourists and SOFA members! Did you know that many public parking garages in Korea may not accept payment via cash or international cards (debit/credit)? This means you can get unexpectedly trapped in a parking garage without an easy way out. Let’s talk about who this impacts and how to get around it. Read this to learn how to avoid getting trapped in a Korean parking garage. Basics of Paying for Public Parking in Korea Over the last five years, many (maybe even most) public parking garages across Korea went cashless.…
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Pyeongtaek Food & Fun October 2025 Fab4 Winners
We are happy to announce our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun’s Fab 4 October 2025 winners for their valued participation. Winners for October 2025 can collect their awards during November 2025. About Pyeongtaek Food & Fun South of Seoul volunteers support the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook community which provides information and support for the international population of Pyeongtaek and surrounding areas. Therefore, group members share posts related to restaurants, hobbies, events, gatherings, and more. South of Seoul volunteers admin and moderate the group based on the values of equity, inclusion, anti-bullying, and…
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Guide to Pump Tracks in Korea
Do you love pump tracks for BMX or skateboards, we’ve documented the pump tracks in Korea we could find in 2025. We made notes about which pump tracks skateboarders regularly use. Keep reading to learn more. About Pump Tracks If you’ve been looking for a fun way to stay active outdoors, Korea’s growing number of pump tracks might be exactly what you need. A pump track is a looping circuit of rollers, banked turns, and jumps designed for riders to “pump” their way through without pedaling—using momentum and body movement…
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Guide for Ski and Snowboard Season Gear Rentals in South Korea
Would you like to spend all season skiing or snowboarding in Korea but you don’t have gear or a lot of money? You can make it happen. This guide to ski and snowboard season rentals in South Korea will help your dreams come true. Keep reading and we will see you on the slopes. PS this was written fast, because people needed info. Sorry for any mistakes. We will edit soon. Renting Ski and Snowboard Gear for the Season in South Korea For winter sports fans living in South Korea,…
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Pyeongtaek Food & Fun September 2025 Fab4 Winners
We are happy to announce our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun’s Fab 4 September 2025 winners for their valued participation. Winners for September 2025 can collect their awards during October 2025. About Pyeongtaek Food & Fun South of Seoul volunteers support the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook community which provides information and support for the international population of Pyeongtaek and surrounding areas. Therefore, group members share posts related to restaurants, hobbies, events, gatherings, and more. South of Seoul volunteers admin and moderate the group based on the values of equity, inclusion, anti-bullying, and…
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Korean Gift-giving Etiquette Guide for Chuseok
Would you like to embrace the joy and community of Korean Thanksgiving? Start with this Korean gift giving guide for Chuseok. Also after you read the following guide about gift-giving, you need to also read our post about your Chuseok meal menu. Let’s go! About Chuseok Chuseok (추석), often called “Korean Thanksgiving,” is one of the most important family holidays in South Korea. It’s a time to honor ancestors, visit family, and share food. The holiday also includes a gift-giving element that might make it feel a little like Christmas.…
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Guide to Costco in Korea vs. the United States
We love Costco in Korea because they keep our kitchen filled with affordable Western treats. We also just had one open up near us in our community, and folks have been asking questions, so let us clarify a few things regarding Costco Korea. Costco in Korea vs. the United States: What Shoppers Should Know For many international residents in South Korea, especially those from the United States, Costco can feel like a familiar slice of home. Yet, while the warehouse layout may look similar, shopping at Costco in Korea comes…
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Best English Speaking Eye Clinics in Seoul
Looking for an eye doctor or eye clinic in South Korea that you KNOW speaks excellent English? Even though we focus on providing information about resources outside Seoul, sometimes there are things you should go to Seoul for. Elective surgery is often one of them when you don’t speak Korean and you want to feel fully informed. Medical Tourism in Seoul As international residents in South Korea, we benefit from the medical tourism in Seoul and other major cities. This is because a wide variety of medical clinics, including eye…
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Pyeongtaek Food & Fun August 2025 Fab4 Winners
We are happy to announce our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun’s Fab 4 August 2025 winners for their valued participation. Winners for August 2025 can collect their awards during September 2025. About Pyeongtaek Food & Fun South of Seoul volunteers support the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook community which provides information and support for the international population of Pyeongtaek and surrounding areas. Therefore, group members share posts related to restaurants, hobbies, events, gatherings, and more. South of Seoul volunteers admin and moderate the group based on the values of equity, inclusion, anti-bullying, and…
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Entry/ Exit Info for Foreign Legal Residents in Korea
While living in South Korea, you will likely fall in love with traveling to all kinds of nearby international destinations. When entering and exiting South Korea, you may wonder if you need your Foreign Registration Card (FRC aka ARC). Here is some entry/exit info for Foreign Legal Residents in Korea related to the Foreign Registration Card. What is a Foreign Registration Card In South Korea, a Foreign Registration Card (FRC) (also called an Alien Registration Card (ARC) in English) is an official identification card issued to foreign nationals who plan…
