Moving to Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea? The following article digs deep into key aspects of living in Pyeongtaek-si with a focus on international resident life. This post takes a look at information relevant to the lived realities of the foreign-born population. Where is Pyeongtaek? You can see the Administrative District of Pyeongtaek-si (평택시) marked in blue on the map below. Pyeongtaek sits along the southern border of Gyeonggi-do. The Yellow Sea, Anseong, Osan, Hwaseong, Yongin, Cheonan, Asan, and Dangjin all border Pyeongtaek-si. Over the last decade, Pyeongtaek-si quickly developed from a rural farming area to a key player in modern Korea’s economic development. The development of massive Samsung factories and the relocation of many US military personnel to the area brought many changes. As of 2021, Pyeongtaek-si feels like a mix of city and countryside life mixed into one. Such high-paced development creates a wide range of economic and cultural diversity which may lead to certain social and cultural difficulties. For example, some areas of Pyeongtaek have housing and land prices similar to Gangnam, while more rural areas remain affordable (as of 2022). Pyeongtaek to Seoul Travel Times Travel time from Pyeongtaek may vary from 40 min to 2 hours depending on different factors such as where you plan to arrive in the city of Seoul and the type of transport you take to Seoul. Both Pyeongtaek and Seoul cover large areas so all estimated travel times vary widely. Such travel time differences may become an important point when choosing where to live in Pyeongtaek if you need to travel to Seoul often. Some employers or recruiters who wish to entice new international employees may pitch Pyeongtaek as “near Seoul’ or a “suburb of Seoul”. Such a statement may feel true or like a lie depending on where the new employee’s home or company exists in Pyeongtaek. South of Seoul recommends verifying any distances quoted via Naver Maps or Kakao Maps. Pyeongtaek-si is an Administrative District It’s important to know that the name ‘Pyeongtaek-si’ technically refers to the larger Administrative District of Pyeongtaek-si (평택시) and the area near AK Plaza which many refer to as “Pyeongtaek” is Pyeongtaek-dong (평택동). Understanding that ‘Pyeongtaek’ may be used differently in different situations is VERY important. In conversation or in online information, authors and speakers often call both the Administrative District of Pyeongtaek-si and the area of Pyeongtaek-dong just “Pyeongtaek” which may cause confusion and misunderstandings. For the purpose of this post, ‘Pyeongtaek’ refers to the Administrative District. If you have trouble understanding how this works, Consider New York, New York in the United States, or when people use “Washington” to refer to either Washington DC or Washington State in the USA. Such information about how ‘Pyeongtaek’ is defined may feel irrelevant now, but if you move to Pyeongtaek-si, accuracy becomes critical. When you ask for help and support, the lack of local clarity in the English-speaking population regarding the term “Pyeongtaek” may create negative communication experiences. Pyeongtaek-si Areas The administrative district of Pyeongtaek-si divides up into -eup(읍), -myeon (면), and -dongs (동). An area designated as an -eup, has a smaller population than an area designated as a -myeon. A -dong is larger than both an -eup and a -myeon. Additionally, each of the -eup, -myeong, and -dongs may divide up into even smaller neighborhoods. The Pyeongtaek-si government created the following 2021 map showing the different Pyeongtaek-si areas. You can see that the local government of Pyeongtaek also divides Pyeongtaek-si into three different areas: blue is West Pyeongtaek, dark purple is North Pyeongtaek, and light purple is South Pyeongtaek. Neighborhood ‘Slang’ Names Getting used to the Korean names of Pyeongtaek-si areas may feel overwhelming and complicated. In order to manage the confusion, many international communities often develop their own names for different areas. Such regional ‘slang’ names also often change over time. South of Seoul always recommends taking the time to learn the actual Korean name of your new neighborhood. Geography Primarily flat, the geography of Pyeongtaek-si varies in relaxing, beautiful ways. Let’s take a look at the different topographic aspects of the area: Flat with Farming in the Middle Pyeongtaek is mostly flat, flat, flat. It’s known as part of the bread basket of South of Korea because of all the farms in the area. The wide open spaces can be especially gorgeous during different times of the year. Be sure to get out and experience the countryside when you can. It’s easy to bike and explore. Mountains and Hills to the East It is important to note that even though it’s flat, you will often hear about the mountains in Pyeongtaek, which will feel misleading when you arrive and find rolling hills. It’s important to understand that in the Korean language there aren’t two different words for mountain and hill that match how English speakers use them. Sure, there is a word for “hill,” but it’s not used in regular conversation to talk about what we would call a hill. Everything is just “san” or mountain. Size doesn’t matter in Korean as it does in English. So, don’t be shocked when you are told to hike a mountain only to discover it’s barely a hill. Just smile and understand it’s a language barrier thing. That said, there are lovely hills to hike through in the Jinwee and Ichungdong areas in the northeast of Pyeongtaek. These hiking areas are listed in the South of Seoul app. The Lake to the South West Pyeongtaek has a ”lake” in the Southwest. This is actually where the sea has been contained to protect the farms from flooding, but folks call it Pyeongtaek Lake. This area has a park, paddle boats, water skiing, kite flying, and such. The Sea to the West If you go straight west, you are going to reach the sea. This is not a place with beaches. Instead, the west coast of Pyeongtaek-si consists of mostly grasslands and Pyeongtaek Port which does a ton of trade with China. The Rivers and Streams Throughout Pyeongtaek has rivers and streams that meander all across it. Many of them have beautiful walking and biking paths. In fact, there is a gorgeous bike path that runs from Pyeongtaek Lake all the way to Sosabeol. Get out there and make use of these paths ASAP or you will regret it. International Population Pyeongtaek-si is becoming an increasingly diverse place. The international population of Pyeongtaek includes around 40,000 international residents and 36,000 US military-affiliated residents (these populations are counted separately since they exist in Pyeongtaek under SOFA status). Combining the international resident population and the US military-related population means between 70,000-80,000 international people live in the area. This includes an estimated 17,000 multicultural households. Below you will see a quick look at a few different foreign communities that exist in the area. Factory Workers Pyeongtaek has a growing population of foreign factory workers from Vietnam, China, Thailand, Pakistan, Nepal, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and more. It’s not uncommon to visit areas around Pyeongtaek Station and hear more foreign languages than Korean. I went to a Nepali ex-pat party last year and had the time of my life. ESL/EFL Teachers The area has a solid population of English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers that work in Korean public schools, after-school academies or English kindergartens. There are also some university professors. On YouTube, many past EFL educators share their experiences in Pyeongtaek and other areas across South Korea. USA Military The US Military consolidated many of its forces into the Pyeongtaek area at two US military bases: Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Force Base. The US military personnel live in Korea under the SOFA which means they do not hold resident status. Active US military members live on base and off base. The following, wildly misleading video offers a look at Camp Humphreys. We say it’s misleading due to 1) the images of Korea shown in the video are mostly not of Pyeongtaek and 2) some of the base images do not realistically reflect the actual look of the base. Either way, the YouTube video provides a solid look at the base itself. Military Contractors In addition to the military themselves, there are contractors that work for the military but who aren’t actually military. DOD Educators & ICS Teachers There are a small number of foreign teachers that work for the International Christian School or the military schools (Although, I think the DOD teachers fall under the Military Contractor heading, I think (I thought I would note them separately, just because). Business Owners Pyeongtaek has many restaurants and businesses in the area owned by foreign business owners from places like Peru, Canada, India, Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Russia, the US, etc. International Spouses of Korean Nationals In addition to many people living here on visas for work, there are also plenty of foreigners living here because they are married to Korean citizens. Missionaries There are even a handful of foreign missionaries working at various churches in the area. In fact, the Church of Latter Day Saints has an outreach facility near the Camp Humphreys walk-in gate. Areas of Industry Pyeongtaek has a diverse number of thriving industries. Farming Originally farming was Pyeongtaek’s biggest claim to fame and it’s still a big part of the area. However, farmland is quickly shrinking as more and more corporations open factories in the area. These days, Pyeongtaek also leads in smart farming. International Shipping Port Pyeongtaek has one of the biggest ports in the country which does massive amounts of trade with China. In fact, they are building a “Chinatown” in the area to meet the cultural demands of the population there. Car Factories Kia and other major car factories have plants in the area. The proximity to Pyeongtaek Port makes it a smart place for them to do business. The auto industry is what has fueled the growth of Anjung-eup. For a very long time, this is where big money in town came from, but times are changing. Technology Related Factories A few years ago, Samsung started a massive expansion in Pyeongtaek that also created the foundation of a new city: Godeok-myeon. This new city, located just south of Osan Air Force Base, was slated to be finished in 2020 but development continues. It hosts not only a billion-dollar Samsung semi-conductor plant but also a similarly giant panel factory that’s being built right next to it. Not to be left behind, LG has been building its own factory in the area. Although it’s not even close to as massive as what Samsung has going on. As these two giant tech companies move to the area, many companies that supply them are also opening up shop next door. This has caused a massive rise in property costs in the area. There are also lesser-known semiconductor plants in the area. In fact, South Korea leads the world in semiconductors. Other Industry and Factories A large number of miscellaneous factories that produce everything from Purina dog food to vitamin drinks also exist in the area. USA Military Two of the smaller areas in Pyeongtaek (Shinjang and Paengseong) have economies that rely on the US Military Bases they are next to. However, generally speaking, the economic impact of the bases doesn’t extend too far past the English-speaking business districts by their front gates. If you are an English-speaking international resident looking for work, these two areas are where you are most likely going to find a job. Transportation Pyeongtaek-si has 5 stops on Line 1 of the Seoul subway system despite being outside of Seoul. Additionally, Pyeongtaek-si has an SRT station but not a KTX station. Pyeongtaek has a variety of inter-city bus terminals located in different areas of Pyeongtaek. Transportation between different areas of Pyeongtaek-si can be complicated without a private vehicle such as a car or scooter. Many residents who decided to stay in Pyeongtaek-si over time often choose to purchase a private mode of transportation as it greatly improves the quality of life near home. Immigration...

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Are you looking for the best budae jjigae 부대찌개 restaurants in the Pyeongtaek area? Then, here are eleven spots where you can find this hearty, spicy army base stew. Where is Pyeongtaek? Feel free to skip this section if you live in Pyeongtaek or know about the area. Pyeongtaek-si is located in the southern portion of the Gyeonggi-do province. This large city includes both US military installations, Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base. The budae jjigae restaurant recommendations provided exist within the city of Pyeongtaek. Therefore, In this blog post, South of Seoul provides addresses and phone numbers. However, we recommend using this information in either Naver Maps or Kakao Maps for the best results. As a result, such apps help you figure out how far each restaurant might be from you. What is Budae Jjigae 부대찌개? The name of this stew comes from the two Korean words: budae (부대), a term meaning base or army, and jjigae (찌개), a term meaning soup or stew. Therefore it is no surprise, that budae jjigae is often referred to as army base stew, soldier stew, or army stew. Simply put, budae jjigae is a Korean fusion stew that uses many American processed products, like Spam, hot dogs, sliced American cheese, and canned pork and beans. After the Korean war (1950 to 1953), food was in short supply in Korea. So, the processed foods that were around the area were imported here by the military. Since the Koreans had access to these foods, they used them to create this delicious stew. We believe two versions came about around the same time, Songtan style and Uijeongbu style. Uijeonbu is most famous for this stew and even has a street dedicated to this goodness! Even though there are two versions, they are unique dishes themselves. Most often you will find the Songtan style around Pyeongtaek, however there are locations that serve Uijeongbu style. Traditionally, this dish is cooked on the table at the restaurants on a gas stove. This enables you to be able to enjoy the dish family style. Also, you can choose to add ramen or cook stir-fried rice at the end. Budae Jjigae Restaurants in Pyeongtaek * Please note that Abujji Budae Jjigae is a Take-Out only restaurant. KimchiRednecks Budae Jjigae Videos We both love budae jjigae. Since it is a meat-heavy stew, we do not eat it as often except for a few times a year. Currently, we have only videoed one location locally, which is our favorite. Still, since this list is extensive, we will definitely be checking out more of the options above for variety. Also, we recently made both versions of budae jjigae at home. However, we determined that both had profiles we enjoyed. As someone who had a very low spice level prior to living in Korea, the idea of this spicy stew was a bit overwhelming. However, I found eating it with rice and having a cup of water available to add to my broth reduced the spice to a tolerable level for me. Now, my spice level is much higher so I no longer have to dilute the broth when we eat out! However, if you check out our YouTube channel, you can find other restaurant reviews, cooking videos, and much more. Also, we update content regularly and enjoy sharing our love of Korea and the culture. How to Source Additional Information About These Locations Whenever you have questions about things like business hours, you can use the free foreigner support app/phone number 1330. In addition, this is really helpful especially around holidays to make sure if a business will be open when you want to visit. With this app, you can prevent a wasted trip to a location when they are enjoying their regular day off or a holiday. A Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series Many of us live in South Korea for only a year. The time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere. Be sure to follow the series so you can add some delicious Korean dishes to your weekly meal plans! Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. With so many different voices and opinions, it is always refreshing to see everyone’s adventures in our local community. In addition, all of the posts shared introduce our community to new places and old places that can feel new all over again. While this list of budae jjigae restaurants in Pyeongtaek is not comprehensive of the entire area, we may have missed your favorite spot. Therefore, make sure to share with the community and share your favorite spots with us! Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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Are you looking for the best kimchi jjigae 김치찌개 restaurants in the Pyeongtaek area? Then, here are ten spots where you can find this delicious kimchi stew. If you already know where Pyeongtaek is, and about kimchi jjigae, jump straight to the Kimichijjigae restaurant list. Where is Pyeongtaek? Feel free to skip the next section if you live in Pyeongtaek or know about the area. Pyeongtaek-si is located in the southern portion of the Gyeonggi-do province. This large city includes both US military installations, Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base. The kimchi jjigae restaurant recommendations provided exist within the city of Pyeongtaek. Therefore, In this blog post, South of Seoul provides addresses and phone numbers. However, we recommend using this information in either Naver Maps or Kakao Maps for the best results. As a result, such apps help you figure out how far each restaurant might be from you. What is Kimchi Jjigae 김치찌개? Kimchi jjigae 김치찌개 is a fabulous spicy, tangy, flavorful stew whose main ingredient is kimchi. Hence, it is no surprise that this dish is one of the popular stews in Korean cuisine. The flavors developed in this stew depend on the kimchi and gochujang used. When using old or aged kimchi, the flavor profile of this dish becomes more tangy and enriched. If you are looking for aged kimchi, you can always check your local market and ask for mukeunji 묵은지, meaning old kimchi. If you are unable to find aged kimchi or want to make it sooner, you may also add a little bit of vinegar to it to make it slightly sourer. Also, if your kimchi is too sour, try adding a little bit of sugar to remove some acidity. Gochujang 고추장 is a fermented chili pepper paste that gives dishes that spicy kick. Since kimchi jjigae is a spicy dish, it often has a good deal of gochujang added to it when eating out at a restaurant. When cooking at home, you can adjust gochujang levels to keep the spice at a tolerable level for you and your family. In addition, there are a few different types of meat that can be used in kimchi jjigae that may alter the flavor a bit. The most common meats used in kimchi jjigae are pork, beef, or tuna. Kimchi Jjigae Restaurants in Pyeongtaek KimchiRednecks Kimchi Jjigae Videos Kimchi jjigae is the first Korean dish I made at home. The flavors of sour kimchi and spicy gochujang make this a Korean comfort food. So, if you are craving a dish to help warm you up and fill your belly, this is the dish! Because we make this most often at home, we currently do not have any restaurant reviews of the above restaurants. Hence, we need to get out and check out some of the amazing locations. However, if you check out our YouTube channel, you can find other restaurant reviews, cooking videos, and much more. Also, we update content regularly and enjoy sharing our love of Korea and its culture. How to Source Additional Information About These Locations Whenever you have questions about things like business hours, you can use the free foreigner support app/phone number 1330. In addition, this is really helpful especially around holidays to make sure if a business will be open when you want to visit. With this app, you can prevent a wasted trip to a location when they are enjoying their regular day off or a holiday. A Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series Many of us live in South Korea for only a year. Time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere. Be sure to follow the series so you can add some delicious Korean dishes to your weekly meal plans! Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. With so many different voices and opinions, it is always refreshing to see everyone’s adventures in our local community. In addition, all of the posts shared introduce our community to new places and old places that can feel new all over again. While this list of kimchi jjigae restaurants in Pyeongtaek is not comprehensive of the entire area, we may have missed your favorite spot. Therefore, make sure to share with the community and share your favorite spots with us! Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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Are you looking for the best gamjatang restaurants in the Pyeongtaek area? Then, here are fifteen spots where you can find this hearty, spicy pork bone stew. Where is Pyeongtaek? Feel free to skip this section if you live in Pyeongtaek or know about the area. Pyeongtaek-si is located in the southern portion of the Gyeonggi-do province. This large city includes both US military installations, Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base. The gamjatang restaurant recommendations provided exist within the city of Pyeongtaek. Therefore, In this blog post, South of Seoul provides addresses and phone numbers. However, we recommend using this information in either Naver Maps or Kakao Maps for the best results. As a result, such apps help you figure out how far each restaurant might be from you. What is Gamjatang 감자탕? Gamjatang 감자탕 is a hearty stew made from pork neck bones (or the spine) and vegetables. The meat in this dish is tender and generally falls off the bone. In addition, it usually includes potatoes, radish greens, cellophane noodles, and perilla leaves. Though the Korean word gamja 감자 generally refers to potatoes, the “gamja” in gamjatang refers to the meat around the pork spine. In short, this dish is all about that delicious pork. However, simmering the pork bones for a long time creates a delightful broth, and then the milky bone broth is strained and seasoned with gochugaru and gochujang. Since the bones are not expensive to purchase, cooking at home is budget-friendly. In addition, it is perfect for serving with just kimchi and rice. You use your chopsticks to pull the meat off the bones when eating this dish. Also, this dish is also considered a popular hangover cure (similar to haejangguk 해장국). Gamjatang Restaurants in Pyeongtaek KimchiRednecks Gamjatang Videos One of Chuck’s favorite Korean stews is gamjatang. Though we have not made this dish at home, we have had it out at restaurants a few times. Currently, we have two gamjatang videos available (one from the Sejeong area), but since this list is pretty big, we will definitely be checking out more of the above options for variety. However, if you check out our YouTube channel, you can find other restaurant reviews, cooking videos, and much more. Also, we update content regularly and enjoy sharing our love of Korea and the culture. How to Source Additional Information About These Locations Whenever you have questions about things like business hours, you can use the free foreigner support app/phone number 1330. In addition, this is really helpful especially around holidays to make sure if a business will be open when you want to visit. With this app, you can prevent a wasted trip to a location when they are enjoying their regular day off or a holiday. Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. With so many different voices and opinions, it is always refreshing to see everyone’s adventures in our local community. In addition, all of the posts shared introduce our community to new places and old places that can feel new all over again. And while this list of gamjatang restaurants in Pyeongtaek is not comprehensive of the entire area, we may have missed your favorite spot. Therefore, make sure to share with the community and share your favorite spots with us! Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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What is a Self-Care Itinerary? It’s a day where you only do things that help you and build your ability to cope with change, feel healthy, and feel confident. These kid of days are needed as much as adventure days. We all fight FOMO (fear of missing out) when we live abroad. Fear of not seeing all the places. Fear of not having all the fun. We are stalking everyone on Instagram, watching all the YouTube videos, and signing up to chase all the “Best of” lists we can find! We are hype! But are we taking care of ourselves? Does racing around checking things off the list always matter? Ok, yes it does, but maybe making sure your immediate needs are taken care of matters a little more. We all need to find a balance between climbing the highest mountain and taking time for ourselves to simply focus on if we are ok and what it all means. Honestly, we all need to be worried about not taking care of ourselves. Not making time for the little things and carving out space for self-care. When living in a place where language is a struggle and each new experience requires learning new cultural norms, self-care can quickly fall away and get replaced by chasing the allure of photo-ops. At least you know you can accomplish that task and it requires very little human interaction. All of this is said without judgment. This is simply the situation that we all have to manage. What I am describing are natural, normal, and often healthy human coping skills. However, even the best coping skill can become unbalanced over time. That means, as long-term international residents in South Korea, we have to focus on balancing coping with tackling the tough task of self-care in a new culture. Considering the need for prioritizing self-care caused me think, “How can I set a better example? Why not create Self-Care itineraries? Why not give people a road map and permission to rest?” So that’s what I am here to do today. I hope you find inspiration in how to slow down and enjoy the magic of your life right now. I don’t expect many people to care about these, but I’m going to make them for those who need them. Here we go, my lazy (for me) self-care Sunday where I embrace the easy living in Korea. Listen to the BlogCast Don’t want to read? Listen to the South of Seoul BlogCast which provides accessible content through the use of AI technology. We don’t have time to read each article but we do our best to make more of our content accessible. If you would like to join our Accessibility Team apply to volunteer with South of Seoul. Please note that the pronunciation of some Korean words may be inaccurate due to AI technology’s limitations. What I Include in My Own Self-Care Itinerary When I create the structure for my self-care days, I turn to research. I’m a fan of finding what works and molding my plans around that. I don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Researchers have done the hard work for me. The follow list creates my framework: Now, these are the things that I strive for but I am not somebody trying to do everything perfectly every moment of every day, I just look at the above list and keep it in mind. I balance it against my other needs. So here we go… 8:00 am Tea or Coffee and (Sometimes) a Walk with the Dogs Every morning we start with coffee. We grind our own beans and use an Aeropress which makes the best lazy coffee ever known to man. That’s my opinion. I said what I said and I’m owning it. Currently, we are obsessed with the Brazillian whole beans from Emart Traders at Starfield Mall in Anseong. The Brazillian beans are affordable and taste smooth like silk in the Aeropress. That said, sometimes I also do tea just because of the ritual of it all. After we finish the coffee we take a long walk through the rice paddies to soak in the morning feeling. Sometimes we take the dogs, but oftentimes they just want to sleep at home so we go alone. I love to watch the fields change day by day on my strolls. If we do take the dogs, our walk turns into a very slow exploration of every blade of grass and rock in the road. Truly meditative. During these walks, I make an extra effort to focus on the little beauty right in front of me and observe how love flows through the world I live in. 9:00 am Putter around the house and Massage Chair Puttering is badass. I love to putter and move things around. Maybe I will go through a cabinet, organize a bin, or match socks. It makes me feel grounded and connected to my space. When I first moved to Korea I would spend all day doing this as I learned how I wanted to exist in the new culture. I LOVE puttering and considering how my routine needs to adjust because the focus helps me connect to the reality of my immediate situation. A counting of my blessings if you will. An acknowledgment of who I was and how I am changing. I seek to remember it’s a huge privilege to move to another country with a job and home included. I am blessed and I prioritize honoring that blessing whenever I can. Even when it’s hard, it’s a privilege and wonderful. During this sorting time, I itemize my needs. Do I have what I need to succeed in my daily life? What problems do I need to solve in my home? Taking note of my comfort level and needs keeps me grounded and happy in my space. I avoid fixating on what I don’t have, instead, I look at what I do have and ask, “How can I make the most out of this right now?” 10:00 am Video Calls with Friends or Family During this time I also might Kakao Voice/Video with friends back home. This week it was a long conversation with a friend who recently became a Canadian citizen and lives in Canada now. We spent a few hours talking about all the differences between Korean and Canadian life. It was wonderful and reminded me that my community is global even when I am isolated because of a pandemic. 11:30 am Forage for Food in the House This is when I’m really happy to have NOSH meals in my freezer so that I don’t have to cook. I can grab a healthy, vegan out of the freezer then add some premade chicken breast from Costco or some cheese. I can only be so healthy guys. Keeping pre-made, homemade meals in my freezer is a huge part of my self-care routine. One of the best things I do for myself to make sure that I get through my rest days with grace. Without NOSH, I would be eating tuna from a can or yelling at people because I am hangry. Trust me, I’ve done the research. 12:00 Get out for some more exercise My perfect day always includes being terrible at something with great enthusiasm, which is why I love skateparks. I’m not good at inline skating and I love it. I love being terrible at it and getting a little better each time. Usually, I watch a bunch of skating videos to get myself hype to carefully try new skills. It feels wonderful to be free from expectations of success and simply embrace the effort. Sometimes I skip the skatepark (but that photo above is not me but is Godeok) and spend a lazy afternoon by the river instead. I might take my inline skates, bike, or just wander around on my boring old feet. The reason I choose the riverwalk is that I’m old and tired. There are plenty of benches and areas of interest where I can take a rest and just stare off into the distance. I rarely do much more than dink around and think about stuff. Sometimes I just listen to the water and completely zone out. The main thing about my self-care activities is that I don’t require myself to actually do the activity. If I get there and just want to sit, that’s what I do. It’s about leaving space for wherever I am at and not worrying about accomplishment. It’s self-care Sunday so failure isn’t an option, just existing in a space is a success. 2:00 Eat some snacks, Cuddle Puppies, Take a Power Nap Since I have a plan to go get my hair done around dinner time, I don’t play myself. I grab a quick snack and another cup of coffee or tea before laying down to take a rest with one of the dogs. 4:30 pm A Radical Act of Self-Care I usually pick one big self-care task to accomplish. Something that might require money. I hate spending money on myself so this is a huge, radical move for me. This is when I do self-care activities manufactured by society or social norms. Things like haircuts, massages, facials, etc. I get out of my comfort zone in new ways. Sometimes I might even try a completely new beauty treatment I’ve not done before. One of my favorite tasks, though, is getting a haircut. Salons can get fancy in Korea so I try to choose a location that offers all the things like shampoo, head massage, haircut, and coffee or tea. I want to feel cared for and relaxed. Such cuts cost around 25,000 – 30,000 won. We recently fell in love with Aura J Salon in Osan because it feels like a little vacation. The reason this usually comes in the afternoon is that I’m not one to schedule things. It’s too stressful to try to make an appointment. That means I either do a walk-in or just take whatever is left in the afternoon after everyone else who made a plan has finished their tasks. However, if you are a “making reservations” person things will go much more smoothly for you. 7:00 pm order food delivery On some self-care days, I cook. On other self-care days, I take a rest. Lately, since I don’t like leaving the house, I do a lot more delivery. CoupangEats has the best options near my house, but many people also use Shuttle which takes international cards and works entirely in English. However, most international residents in our area use Shuttle who also do a great job! On weekends we all destroy our diets with cheat days so we under from Pizza One on Sunday or Saturday nights. 8:00 pm WATCHA and Face Masks I actually found out about WATCHA because they contacted me while researching for an upcoming program they plan on filming (I forwarded them to another South of Seoul volunteer as I’m interested in being on a show). From this, I learned Korea has its own streaming service similar to Netflix called WATCHA. It has all kinds of different shows including many from the BBC. They also have many older US movies. Of course, they also have an epic number of Korean films and shows. We actually watch WATCHA more than Netflicks now. Although the interface is in Korea, the foreign content isn’t dubbed. It’s all in the original languages with subtitles available. Here is a video that walks you through how it works. It’s a terrible but informative video by some helpful person on the internet. Once I have my show picked out I put on my face masks and settle in for a little relaxation. I get almost all my masks from The Face Shop. I buy them when they have their 5+5 or 3+3 deals. I keep them by the bed so I always have them handy. The magnesium spray also helps calm stressed and tense...

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