Badminton
Popular throughout Asia, Korean singles and doubles players often make the finals in regional
and world championships. At almost any outdoor recreation park, you can find several badminton
nets setup and many enthusiasts hitting a birdie back and forth.
|
Baseball
The country has a number of professional baseball teams, most owned by the major
business conglomerates. At the end of each year's season, the Korean World Series
keeps fans glued to the TV, rooting for their favorite team. Teams have recruited
several foreign players. |
Basketball
Michael Jordan can probably be recognized as easily in Korea as in the States. Basketball
has become very popular, especially among those of the younger generation who are
considerably taller than their parents. The country has a number of professional basketball
teams, most owned by major business conglomerates, with several foreign players. |
Bicycling
For many years, the bicycle was the main mode of local transportation for most Koreans.
With the prosperity of the 1980s, the number of automobiles has far exceed the ability
of the roads to handle them. Trying to bicycle in any of Korea's metropolitan areas can
be suicide at times. Fortunately, the government has recently begun to build bike lanes
trails, especially along the riverside parks bordering the Han River in Seoul. Mountain
biking has also been gaining in popularity in recent years. The Korean Mountain Biking
Association can be reached at (02) 967-9287. The Olympic Velodrome has professional
track racing during the summer months. |
Billiards
Although the Korean version (danggu) has been popular for years, Western-style
(pok'etbol) billiards has also gained in popularity and most pool halls now have
both types of tables. In danggu, players hit 2 white and 2 red balls around a
table without any pockets. Many bars have also added pool tables for their patrons' use. |
Bowling
Bowling, an international past time, has many fans in Korea. Bowling alleys often have huge
bowling pins advertising their locations. Westerners should have no problem finding shoes and
balls for their sizes. Most alleys have computerized systems to keep track of scores and
number of games played. |
Camping
Rather than the traditional form of hiking into the back country and pitching a tent,
Korean families are more likely to set up their camp site next to their car in a common
area for "car camping." Several organized camp site do exist in national parks
and other tourist areas. Generally, camping outside of designated areas is not permitted. |
Cricket
Although not one of the most popular sports in Korea, cricket does have a following among
local expatriates. For more information, please see the web site for the
Korea Cricket Association. |
Darts
As Koreans become more Westernized, more and more bars are adding dart boards for their
patrons to use. The Seoul International Darts
League and Songtan-Si Dart
Association run several seasons of 501 and Cricket play each year for expatriate and
Korean players. |
Fishing
With all of Korea's rivers, streams, lakes, and ocean beaches, as well as man-made lakes
and reservoirs, ample opportunities exist for fishing. Many travel agencies arrange
fishing tours, both fresh water and deep sea. |
Gambling
Koreans love to gamble. Unfortunately, most legal gambling areas are open only to
foreigners. Several of the major tourist hotels have casinos which include black jack
tables and roulette wheels. Most U.S. military posts have game rooms with slot machines
that are technically only open to people covered under the SOFA agreement. Many Korean
game parlors have a form of slot machine that is supposed to be used for entertainment
purposes only, although underground gambling occurs at many of them. |
Golf
WIth golf being a symbol of status, the sport has taken the country by storm, and dozens
of golf clubs have sprung up all around the peninsula. Membership and greens fees are
drastically cheaper than in Japan or the States, so even during the recent depressed
economy, many golfers are out in force. Several years ago, then president Kim, Young-sam
tried to dissuade government leaders from playing golf, as part of his austerity drive,
yet many refused to give up their favorite pastime. The popularity of LPGA golfer
Pak, Se-ri has increased the interest in golf among younger Koreans as well. |
Hiking
One might think that mountain climbing is Korea's national sport. On any given weekend,
the hills around Seoul and every other city are filled with Koreans wearing alpine hiking
clothes. Bright knee-high socks, hiking boots, colored vests, and walking sticks adorn
most of the hikers, and can be bought very cheaply here. For descriptions of some
popular hiking trails, visit the Hiking
Section. The USO operates an English speaking hiking club which has organized
hikes on most weekends. Contact them at (02) 795-0392. |
Horse Racing
Korea has 2 horse racing venues: Seoul Racetrack in Kwach'on and Cheju Racetrack on
Cheju Island. Although races are normally only held during weekends, night racing also
takes place during August. During the week, visitors can take guided tours of the grounds.
The Seoul Racetrack is also a popular venue for couples having traditional Korean
weddings. |
Hot Springs / Public Bathing
As many Korean homes have very small bath tubs (if at all), most people prefer to
make a regular trip to their local public bath house for a good, long soak. Korea
has many natural hot springs, especially near mountain resorts. A trip to the hot
springs makes the perfect end after a long day's hike up a mountain. As in Japan,
you should always shower before getting into the tub. |
Rugby
A number of Koreans and expatriates like to get together for bruises and blood in
weekend rugby matches. Like some other sports, some Korean companies have formed
professional teams and are trying to increase local interest in the sport. |
Scuba/Skin Diving
Cheju Island is a very popular area for scuba/skin diving and snorkeling. Between June and
October, the water temperature and water quality are at their best. Many equipment rental
agencies near popular dive areas can provide a full line of gear. Air lines do not usually
allow compressed air tanks, whether filled or empty, on their flights, so you will need to
rent them at your destination. The Korean Underwater Diving Association can be reached at
(02) 420-4293. |
Skiing (snow)
While Korea's mountains do not reach the same heights as at other ski resorts around the
world, they still offer many good downhill slopes. The season runs from late November
through March, and most resorts have decent snow making equipment during the dry periods.
Until a few years ago, most slopes prohibited snow boarding, but now most do allow snow
boarders and some have slopes set aside specifically for them. Like most areas in Korea,
ski resorts become quite crowded on weekends and holidays, so weekdays are a much better
time to go. Resorts rent and sell ski equipment to fit all sizes, and many have ski
instructors who can speak English and other languages. See the
Ski Section for more details
on Korea's 12 resorts. |
Skiing (water)
Water skiing has recently gained popularity in Korea's many rivers and lakes. Although most
Koreans cannot afford to buy and maintain a power boat, ski boats and drivers, as well as
other equipment, can be rented at many water tourist areas. The Korea Water Ski Association
can be contacted at (02) 203-0488. |
Soccer
Korea's passion for soccer fueled its ambitions to hold the 2002 World Cup.
Instead of being the outright host, Korea will co-host the event with Japan. Korea's poor
showing in the 1998 World Cup did little to dampen the expectations for 2002. On evenings
and weekends you can find many organized or pick-up games at parks and play grounds. |
Swimming
Public swimming pools resemble wading pools more than actual swimming areas. Many of the
larger hotels have their own pools for their guests to use, although non-guests can
usually use them on a pay-per-use basis. Swimming at most lakes and reservoirs is
prohibited as the water is usually used for drinking by the local communities. Streams
and rivers, if not too polluted, are very popular, and many families sent up camp sites
in these areas during their summer vacations. At ocean beaches, the lifeguards tend to
get upset at anyone going out past waist deep. See the list of
swimming pools in Seoul.) |
Table Tennis/Ping Pong
Called t'akgu in Korean, many table tennis halls can be found, often nearby pool
halls and universities. It is mostly popular with college students and young businessmen. |
Tennis
Koreans, especially housewives, enjoy hitting a tennis ball back and forth at the many
tennis courts in the country. Courts are generally dirt, although some clay courts
have been set up, and exist mostly near apartment complexes or universities. |
|
|