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| Travel & Resources: KOREA
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Never-the-less, Korean society is extremely conservative. A popular children's TV show host was dismissed from his job when he became the first celebrity to proclaim his homosexuality to the public. The number of homosexuals coming out of the closet is growing every day. Korea witnessed its first lesbian commitment ceremony on November 27, 1995. Recent comments from the judiciary have been supportive of same-sex partnerships. Anti-discrimination laws have been enacted protecting homosexuals and education about homosexuality is now taking place in lower schools. Seoul has both an annual GLBT film festival and a Queer Culture festival.
On November 1, 2001, the Ministry of Information and Communications formally enacted an internet
content rating system classifying gay and lesbian websites as "harmful media" and mandating their blockage--all under the guise of protecting youth. The Ministry acted after an April 2001 decision by the Korean Information and Communications Ethics Committee (ICEC)--an officially independent body with wide censorship powers--which classified homosexuality under the category of "obscenity and perversion" in its "Criteria for Indecent Internet Sites." Activists in Korea trace the roots of this definition to a 1997 law that classifies descriptions of "homosexual love" as "harmful to youth." The MIC accepted this classification in July. Enforcement of these measures was swift. The owner of Exzone.com, the first and largest gay website in Korea, received a notice stating that if it did not immediately mark itself as a 'harmful site' and install filtering software to prevent youth access, he would be penalized with a fine of approximately US$10,000 or two years imprisonment.
The Korean LGBT community fought against the anti-gay law for two years. On January 10, 2002, Exzone.com in affiliation with Lesbian and Gay Alliance Against Discrimination (LGAAD) and the Lawyers for a Democratic Society filed the first lawsuit against Korean government for unconstitutionally blocking access. A court decision was made on August 14, 2002 that freedom of speech and expression were not applicable regarding homosexuality, and allowed for outrageous penalties, including two year imprisonment, to be enforced. This decision invigorated local and international human rights efforts to have the law changed.
On April 2, 2003 the Korean National Human Rights Protection Committee officially advised Korea's Youth Protection Committee to remove anti-gay language from the 1997 Youth Protection Act that that underpinned the 2001 Ministry of Information and Communications decision. Korean queer activist, Huso Yi, calls the reversal of the Youth Protection Act wording "one of the most important turning points in the Korean LGBTQ rights movement."
Many Korean-style bars, and especially the karaoke bars, will often demand that you buy small snacks at hugely inflated prices. If the bar is advertised as "western" then you will not be hassled with this custom. At karaoke bars you may sit at the bar itself where you can refuse snacks. If you take a table you will automatically be presented with expensive snacks, and the nearer you are to the singing stage the higher the cost. Unless you are a Karaoke addict the best advice is to steer clear of karaoke-type places.
This gay guide and AIDS/HIV educational booklet has gay scene maps in Korean for five major cities. Inquire at the bars. We found our copy at Always Homme in Seoul.
The oldest and only gay men's rights organization in Korea, Chingusai is a successor of Chodong-hoe, the first homosexual activist group in the country, organized in 1993. Chingusai has served as a shelter for Korean gay men, who have no official or public voice of their own, and as an arena for struggle against all prejudice and oppression directed at homosexuals. Check their website for events and activities.
The first center for sexual minorities (e.g. lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, iban, tongsungyaeja, and "?"), people living with HIV/AIDS, and those who support the rights of sexual minorities in Korea. KSCRC aims to provide safe/creative place for culturing their own sexualities and genders as well as empowerment via cultural events, research, education, policy advocacy, counseling, and publication. KSCRC serves as a national center to protect and promote the well being of Korean sexual minorities as well as to celebrate our diversity.
Organizers of the annual pride festival in Seoul.
This group seeks to abolish discrimination against sexual minorities; foster cooperation among minority groups; establish an alliance against oppression of workers; establish shields against illegal investigation of gay bars and biased news reporting about sexual minorities; and to strengthen HIV/AIDS education aimed at youth.
Next to the train station, across from the roundabout and flower shop. You will see Toupe (men's wig shop) on the right side of the street. It has some Chinese writing in red and blue. Very friendly and elaborate. On 4/F there is a small sleeping room you can go into with some action.
Located on the left side of 2nd crossroad near Bucheon Subway Station (Line 1), about 450m and 5 minutes on foot. With your back to Bucheon Suway Station, walk left through the 1st crossroad (buk bu yuk sa geri) to the 2nd crossroad (dae hak gil sa geri). You will see Oz Telecom at the left street corner and Kolon sports store the the opposite side. Turn left and cross the street and walk on the left side. And then there is Pulip Mun Hwa center (culture center) and Bucheon MT Zzim Bang is on 3/F (1/F is a sushi restaurant). By taxi, tell the driver, "dae hak saguri, Kolon Sports ro ga ju se yo." Walk left to find the sushi restaurant. A gay jjimjilbang (sleeping/cruising facility) and has one large room, seven private rooms, one middle-sized room, DVD room, showers, small lounge, rest room.
Coming out from Exit 2 of Bupyeong Station, walk towards the two lane streets in front of you that are on the left of Lotte Mart shopping center. You will pass by a fenced-up golf driving range. The One is facing this driving range. Look for the English sign. A KTV pub owned by a couple and friendly towards foreigners. Around 80sqm, seating around 30. Songs selections are mainly Korean, but they have a few pages of English songs as well.
Owner speaks English. Popular with 30-50s crowd.
Located where the motels are, next to Lotte department store, on the same street as Apple PC Bang.
Between Kum Nam No (Gold South St) and the river (near the bridge with stone tiger heads) across from a major movie theatre. This hole-in-the-wall is damp and run down (underground), but the staff can give a lot of information English and draw maps to other places.
Friendly pub with karaoke.
Easy to locate because its in the only tall building, that says 'Jazz Bar' near the top (it's a glass, wedge-shaped building), behind an elementary school called Su Chang cho Deung HakGyo. On 8/F, you pay and receive an electronic key for your locker. Well-lit lounge. The other room is a dark sleeping room and this is where most of the action is. All ages but the majority are 35+, most are gay but not all are, so be discreet. The middle-aged manager is gay (he also speaks Japanese). The two younger male workers are not and they will bark at you if they see you being frisky in the shower or sauna; keep your play confined to the sleeping room downstairs (and pretend to not be having fun if they come in to change the blankets. Very busy during the nights, especially on weekends.
Across the street from the KB Bld in the gay area, near the bars. Go to the street opposite the KB Bld, facing the bars. It is the small street between KB and the convenience store mini-stop. About 25 feet on your left as you walk this street toward the bars is a staircase in a building illuminated by a blue light. You'll see the 40cm X 30 cm green Kkaji sign (written in Hangeul) on the wall as you go up the stairs. It's on 3/F and costs W$10,000/night. Put your shoes in a locker at the door and give your money and key to the attendant, who will give you a clothes locker key. Kkaji is small: there are about 16 stations in four rooms (none private or with doors) and three computers with Net under a TV playing gay videos. All ages and types go there and it is busiest on weekends. It's old, but clean, and foreigners are welcome by the friendly older workers who love inspecting your package; be careful in the showers because the water can scald you.
Friendly sauna with some gay customers.
Located next to the Express Bus Terminal and a big hospital. If you are across the street from the Express Bus Terminal, you will see a side street on the right side of terminal. Walk down to the end of the street and ID bar will be on your right side. A nice, small place, that also has singing. The owner doesn't speak English so if you don't speak Korean, try to go with a Korean friend.
See listing under Saunas and Jjimjilbang. Call ahead for the massage service before midnight since there's a chance there'll be no available masseur after that time. There's a separate space near the counter for massage.
This place is located in Maesan Market street near Suwon Subway Station. Start from Gate 12 and walk down the Maeson Market street towards the Maesan Market bus stop, about 200m. You will find a sign on the left which reads "You." Walk up to 2/F and enter through the door. The name is written in Korean on the door. A sleeping room with massage, two large rooms, four smaller rooms, a lounge with two computers with a large TV and other amenities you find in a typical jjimjilbang. Most of the patrons are shy with a wide age range. The receptionist can speak some English.
Diagonally across from LA and hidden in a creepy alleyway. Friendly anju bar with many hosts. This place can get quite lively on Sat. You will need a guide from LA to find it
(tip him). The whole area around the train station is rough and a center of prostitution, so don't
get drunk and stay out of conflicts.
Located next to the Kyobo Insurance Building in downtown Shinhae. It is supposedly straight but is frequented by gay teachers trying to protect their image with colleagues. The owner speaks English and behaves more camp and gay than some of the customers. As the other gay bars in Daejon are pretty dismal the Blue Wolf should be given support.
Anju bar across from the train station and north, 3 or 4 blocks, just past a gas station. The LA sign is right at street level. You will be pressured to buy expensive snacks.
On 2/F. Clean and comfortable. Open from 18:00 until late with disco on Fri and Sat. Welcomes foreigners. Young lesbian crowd.
Near Sungmo Ogori. Karaoke style bar. It can get pretty busy on the weekends.
You can see a signboard. This jjimjilbang is friendly to foreigners. Very clean.
Advisory: Homosexuals in Korea have no established tradition of overtly discriminatory laws to struggle against. There are no sodomy laws proscribing oral or anal intercourse, largely because these acts have traditionally been considered utterly unmentionable in any public forum or document. Homosexuality has never been brought before Korean courts. No one has mentioned homosexuality in any divorce proceedings, custody or adoption battles.
PUSAN/BUSAN | SEOUL | TAEGU/DAEGU
Other cities and provinces are listed below...
There is no tipping in Korea and you will receive good service without tipping.
Korea Gay & Lesbian News Archive
Comments from Utopians:
"Gays in Korea are not so closeted as they used to be. Gay society is recognized in Korea and more LGBT stand up, and some of them
become couples, even though their parents may not accept them. I personally came out 20 years ago to my folks." -- Kidon, Sep 22, 2023
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UTOPIA VERIFIED JUL 20203/F Myodong Bld, 183 Myodong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-745-7942, FAX +82-2-744-7916, email
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Korea AIDS/HIV organizations and information
5/F Samheung Bld, 256-2 Hangangno, 2-Ga Yongsan-gu, 140-871, Seoul Korea
(82-2) 797-5034, email
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UTOPIA VERIFIED JUL 20200505-336-2003, 0505-339-2003, email
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5/F Tojong Wang-Sundae Bld #11, Dongja-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul
(822) 778-9982, FAX (822) 775-9983, email
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Andong (Gyeongsangbuk-do Province)
Some of the businesses listed here are noted to be traditional Korean jjimjilbang, or overnight sleeping facilities. Jjimjilbang may not have a sauna, or even hot water facilities, although they may function as de facto cruising spaces for Korean gays. Facilities at Jjimjilbang tend to be modest compared to more sophisticated urban saunas and bathhouses.
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Bucheon / Pucheon (Gyeonggi)
Some of the businesses listed here are noted to be traditional Korean jjimjilbang, or overnight sleeping facilities. Jjimjilbang may not have a sauna, or even hot water facilities, although they may function as de facto cruising spaces for Korean gays. Facilities at Jjimjilbang tend to be modest compared to more sophisticated urban saunas and bathhouses.
Kung-ki-do( near Incheon)
032-613-7878 (Korean only), email
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Bupyeong (Incheon)
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Gwangju / Kwangju -- area code +82-62
The population of Gwangju is 1.4 million (that's over 55,000 Utopians).
Most of the gay bars (there are around 10) are located on the opposite side of the street from Gwangju Bank Tower. To take a taxi to the bank tower, tell the cab driver, "Geum nam sa gori Gwangju oo nae ka joo sayo." When you get out at the tower, go directly across the street. In the area, one block behind the main street, there are many motels and gay bars. Get a map from one of the bar owners and better directions. Everyone is very friendly, though English is not commonly spoken. You will be made to feel very welcome in all of the bars.
B/F COAX Bld
222-8007
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236-1337
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228-2189
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226-9420
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011-9783-1453
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Some of the businesses listed here are noted to be traditional Korean jjimjilbang, or overnight sleeping facilities. Jjimjilbang may not have a sauna, or even hot water facilities, although they may function as de facto cruising spaces for Korean gays. Facilities at Jjimjilbang tend to be modest compared to more sophisticated urban saunas and bathhouses.
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8/F Yudong Sa 4 Gori
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Jeju
UTOPIAN VERIFIED MAY 2018262-7 Yeon-dong, Cheju
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Jinju (South Gyeongsang Province) -- area code +82-55
The population is over 350,000 (that's more than 14,000 Utopians).
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PUSAN / BUSAN -- area code +82-51
Click here for Pusan / Busan listings.
SEOUL -- area code +82-2
Click here for Seoul listings.
Suwon (Gyeonggi-do Province)
Suwon is a large city just 30k south of Seoul. The population is over a million (that's more than 40,000 Utopians).
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Some of the businesses listed here are noted to be traditional Korean jjimjilbang, or overnight sleeping facilities. Jjimjilbang may not have a sauna, or even hot water facilities, although they may function as de facto cruising spaces for Korean gays. Facilities at Jjimjilbang tend to be modest compared to more sophisticated urban saunas and bathhouses.
UTOPIAN VERIFIED DEC 2022031-254-6374
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Comments from Utopians:
"It's still open." -- Kishore, Dec 1, 2022
TAEGU / DAEGU -- area code +82-53
Click here for Taegu/Daegu listings.
TAEJON / DAEJON -- area code +82-42
The population of Taejon is over 1.5 million (that's over 60,000 Utopians).
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Nearby Chung Gu Cheng
254-0046
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Ulsan
The population of Ulsan is over 1.1 million (that's over 45,000 Utopians).
Some of the businesses listed here are noted to be traditional Korean jjimjilbang, or overnight sleeping facilities. Jjimjilbang may not have a sauna, or even hot water facilities, although they may function as de facto cruising spaces for Korean gays. Facilities at Jjimjilbang tend to be modest compared to more sophisticated urban saunas and bathhouses.
UTOPIAN VERIFIED AUG 20134/F of the 4 story building on the right side alley of the Fire Station, Seong-Nam Dong
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