I was thinking about titling this post “Sweaty Summer in Seoul”, but I thought that would make me sound too much like a gross person…. well, too late. I’ve said it anyway.

When I noticed the handheld electric fans starting to be sold in the underground shopping markets I should have known what I was in for. And after saying “I need one of those” for a month and a half I finally bought one…and it is a truly magical little device…because it is hot here. It’s even hot here at night time–which leaves me crying “whyyyy” as I scurry back to my apartment/cave of coolness.

The first thing I do when I get to work is crank the air conditioning to 20 degrees Celsius and chug some ice cold water. A 15-minute walk to work seems effortless, but believe you me, in this sweltering weather, a 15-minute walk leaves you feeling like Icarus probably did right as his wings were melting: boiling hot and plummeting to the earth. Dramatic enough for you? Haha. In class, my students keep saying “teacher cold”, so we go through this dance of adjusting the temperature between 20-26 degrees trying to find a middle ground where “teacher” isn’t dying and student’s teeth aren’t chattering. Poor kids, I feel bad for them when they get too cold – so sometimes I do end up sweating in class because they didn’t bring jackets and 25 degrees Celsius is too frigid for them. *dies*

Here are some quick thoughts on how to stay cool in Korea for the other dramatically overheated Seoullites like me:

Find a cafe that has the AC turned up – although some might not use much AC, and instead, opt to open their windows and let a “breeze” in – there are so many cute cafés in Seoul, that it isn’t hard to find one at more suitable temperatures for humans.

Try Patbingsu/Bingsu (팥빙수/빙수) – South Korea’s take on ice cream. It’s a shaved ice dessert that comes with a variety of sweet toppings including red bean. Yum! There are tons of places selling it all around Seoul, but if you can’t find one – you can at least grab some ice-cream from any convenience store. My favorite flavor is Melon. Oh also, a very popular ice-cream flavor here is milk (with seemingly the same popularity vanilla has in America). It’s not bad, but my first love will always be vanilla.

Take a trip to the beach – the water is cold and after the initial shock, it feels amazingly refreshing. There are beaches a quick trip away from Seoul in Incheon or you can take a weekend excursion to Busan etc. Korean beaches also have beach umbrellas and floating tubes you can rent. Absolutely worth the journey.

 

Visit a movie theatre – all the popular Hollywood movies are playing in English with Korean subtitles in delightfully cool theatres. I recommend Lotte World Mall’s movie theatre, it is spacious and comfortable – and they have numerous electronic screens outside the theatres you can buy tickets from (with an English language option).

Hide indoors until Summer is over –  here is my more lazy suggestion. But if you want to still experience Korean culture while hiding away inside, watch a KDrama or KMovie on Netflix/Tv. I’ve been wanting to watch a drama called Goblin that was recently recommended to me, check it out. Or watch my favorite Korean movie: My Sassy Girl (in Korean: 엽기적인 그녀).

PC or DVD “bang” (PC/DVD방) – here is another somewhat lazy suggestion ha. PC or DVD방 are rooms you rent to play games or watch movies. Actually, this is exactly like my last suggestion except you’re paying for the experience. Great for those who want to get out of the apartment. I haven’t been to a PC방 yet in Korea, but I have been to a DVD방 – and English movies are available, fyi.

The ice part of the Seoul Trick Eye Museum – Even just the Trick Eye Museum in Hongdae is fun, but with tickets to the main area, you also gain entrance to the heavenly and freezing Ice Museum.

I’m looking forward to Fall/Winter, and my favorite weather: cold, cold, cold.