Plenty of Seoul on those rainy days...

A major contributor to Korea's immense natural beauty is her climate. She has four seasons and two of her months out of twelve are known as Jangma (장마), meaning rainy season. This season provides her with stunning rivers, lush green valleys, blossoming forests and somewhat indoor bound residents. However, thanks to evolution and human intelligence, she has grown to foster numerous indoor pursuits that can counter boredom.    


Ten things to do when the rain is pouring:


It's Raining Men, Hallejulah - When the heavens open and cast a constant downpour of water upon you and Korea's residents. There is one thing that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a tune in your heart. The Norae Bang (노래방 - literally translated as 'song room'). A Norae Bang is a music room that you can (cheaply) hire. The room, which has: a microphone, TV (that displays song lyrics), tambourine, sofa, drinks (beer and soju are fantastic remedies for nerves), food and sometimes extra items of fun such as a piano, guitar or ..... a musical triangle (the perfect instrument for those who are musically challenged, such as myself); can provide hours of fun. 
Some great songs to get the party started and forgetting about the rain that will undoubtedly be turning the streets below into rivers are:

• Purple Rain - Leann Rimes or Prince
• It's Raining Men - Jerry Halliwell 
• All I needed Was the Rain - Elvis Presley
• The Rain - Missy Elliot
• Rain Your Love Down - Stevie Wonder
• Shadows in the Rain - Police 
• Duran Duran - Hold Back the Rain
• Let it Rain - Eric Clapton

Get naked!!! Stay at a JimJilBang (찜질방) and have a full VIP treatment. A JimJilBang is a spa house where anyone can go and spend the whole day or more (as they have free sleeping facilities) for approximately ₩9,000 (£5/$9/€6) to ₩15,000, which includes all the clothing, soap, toothpaste, towels and water that you can use.  You can easily while away a lazy day at one of these establishments as they have ample experiences and apparatus to keep you entertained. Most usually including, but not limited to:

·         Sauna's - different saunas with varying heats and smells (such as pine, hemp or eucalypti)

·         Ice rooms - rooms that are sub zero and encased in ice

·         Steam rooms - sometimes scented

·         Hot tubs - once again, varying in temperatures. Some hot tubs even have herbs, spices or teas added for the benefit of your skin

·         Massage facilities (these cost extra)

·         Cinema/TV room

·         PC rooms

·         Restaurant - the food in JimJilBangs are usually very cheap ( a BiBimBap costs ₩4,000 on average)

The spa facilities are separated by gender and it is customary for you to be in your birthday suit (naked). However, the rest of the areas (usually including some of the sauna's) are mixed and require you to wear comfortable clothing (provided by the JimJilBang).  




Sucky Sucky, Ten Dollar - No, I'm not encouranging the use of prostitutes here. For less than ten bucks you can enjoy a frothy coffee in a luxurious cafe whist being sucked off... by a fish. Dr Fish cafes are ubiquitous across Korea and they offer the unique gimic of having fish that will clean your feet whilst you are enjoying panoramic views of Seoul through their windows. They have two sizes of fish and the bigger fish are defiantly not for the faint -hearted! The feeling can be alarming at first and can take a little getting use to but, after five minutes you will settle down and start to enjoy the experience. 

Fore - go and play some golf! Of course Korea, because of its love of technology, has adapted the game slightly in the way that you don't need to go outside, walk or decide on what club would make the best shot (although you can choose if you so wish). In Korea, why play real golf at one of its unknown golf courses when you can play any of the worlds best greens, without having to go outside and at the fraction of the cost. Additionally, you have access to an endless of supply of drinks (beer, rice wine, coke, tea, coffee...) and food while playing 'screen golf'. To play 9 holes it will cost you ₩10,000 per person (including complimentary tea and coffee) and it is terrific fun, regardless of how good you are at golf. 

Be in a film. Or at least, feel like you're in a movie by attending one of Korea's many 4dimensional cinemas. Most of you will know what 4D is but, for those of you who don't, it is basically a 3D film with physical effects. For example, if you're watching a scene where a guy jumps through the air on his motorbike into a river then you will see the shot in 3D and have the experience of having your chair move (to simulate the jump) and then have water sprayed in your face.  This experience does come with a warning... be careful where you store your popcorn and try to avoid drinking your coke in any of the high intensity scenes - it can get messy.   

Get subterranean.  Seoul is home to Asia's largest underground shopping mall, Coex. It is located near Gangnam (line 2) and has a lot to offer; with over 200 shopping stores, an aquarium, fine restaurants, a Kimchi museum and an events hall you should not get bored. 

Make out. In Korea there are private rooms that you can book out that have a large TV and a bed. Choose from one of the thousands of movies availale before you enter the room, some of which will take you back to childhood (Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Little Mermaid, The Goonies, Big and Ferris Buellers Day Off are just some of the movies that seem to be mandatory in DVD bangs). Obviously these rooms are utilised by the Korean adolescence to have their first fondle in. For me, it put a tear in my eye and a smile on my face to see young Korean couples holding hands booking a room together whilst both looking rather bashful and innocent. Possibly their first fondle. Adorable. However, you don't HAVE to make out in them. They have great quality TV's and sound systems in, meaning that you can sit back and enjoy an old movie that isn't available in the cinema's any more and have the freedom to chat with each other, without disturbing anyone else around you.  

Another Bang. A PC bang is what we Westerners would call an internet cafe. It is place where you can go and check your emails and Facebook. However, the internet speeds Korea are astronomical and the prices unbelievably low. Meaning you will be in and out in no time. Which is no good if it is still raining. So.... why not try your hand at one of the cult Korean games like Starcraft or Wolrd of War Craft. Ask any of the youth in the PC bang to help you get started and then lose yourself in fantasy and science fiction.  

If all else fails. Head to a bar district and drown your sorrows or.... party it up with local Korean people who ALWAYS know how to have a good time. You're sure to learn a new drinking game and improve your Korea. Just make sure that you don't have work the following day...    

Finally... Okay, I know I said 'ten' things to do when the rain is pouring but, I'm running 'dry' of ideas. So, this last one is a clutch at straws... stay at home! The internet in Seoul is rated as being the fastest and cheapest in the world which means you can surf the internet and plan an epic adventure for when the rainy season ends. 

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