It’s been a fun trip in Seoul so far - feeling like a tourist at times, feeling like a local at times. The things that stood out most to me are eating lots of good food, wearing a hanbok and feeling like a celebrity, and oh guess what? I also got hit on by a guy at hongdae, which was super flattering. I was walking out of the train station and was checking on my phone where to go for dinner, all the while listening to a podcast with earphones in - and this guy started walking beside me and talking to me in Korean. I didn’t notice him until a few seconds in, then I was like oh who’s this guy talking to me in Korean? Is he looking to sell something to me?
Then as we continued talking, it dawned on me that he might just be making conversation...to hit on me? Wow was this guy really hitting on me? I wasn’t sure but I was feeling super flattered by it haha. I haven’t been picked up on the streets before in my life, only in clubs/bars, so this was a once in a lifetime experience for me lol. It’s also been a few years since a guy’s asked me out in person (off the dating apps), so I almost forgot how it felt like.
He asked me in Korean what I was doing in hongdae, and I was like shaking my head and asking him if he could speak English. He then said in English ,”A little bit”, and repeated his question in English. He then said his English is like a baby’s. It’s not too bad though, he understood me for the most part.
I told him I was there for vacation. He then asked me where I’m from (China?), and I said Singapore. He’s like ahh. He then said he’d like to meet good people (meaning me), then asked me if I’d like to get a coffee or drink. I realised at this point that yes he’s absolutely hitting on me and asking me out, so I used the one korean phrase I know - Namja chingu isseo yo! Meaning I have a boyfriend 😬. He then looked disappointed and sheepish at the same time, kind of embarrassed that he’s asked me out. I could tell he was feeling awkward and didn’t know how to back away from this convo, so I was like thank you though, I’m super happy you talked to me, it’s nice to make friends! He then kindof recovered and asked when I’m leaving Seoul, and I was like tmr lol.
Then I asked him - I’m curious, why did you want to talk to me? He said oh it’s because I want to meet good people. I guess that’s his go-to line, or his English was really limited to that...
We made a little bit more conversation after that as I walked to my hotel, and I asked him if he’s a student. He said he used to work as a teacher but is planning to go to graduate school. He doesn’t know what he’s going to study yet though. We used google translate for a bit where he typed in korean at super fast speeds on my phone (omg I can’t type that fast in korean!!). It was impressive seeing how a young local types in Korean on the phone haha.
Anyhow, he looked like he’s younger than me, but was also rather good looking. Maybe I would have taken him up on his offer if I were single haha. We then parted ways and I wished him best of luck.
I guess korean guys are more aggressive in picking up girls than I thought. I’m super happy that this guy picked me out of a crowd of all these beautiful korean girls, who were dressed to the nines with full on makeup and hair done nicely, whereas I was looking so aloof with earphones on and all, and I was not dressed up or wearing makeup at all that day. I was in my most comfy T-shirt and shorts as it was a sauna and massage day, yet ironically that’s the one day I got hit on xD. I felt super amused by this young-looking guy who’s trying to hit on me (technically an older woman, but he probably couldn’t tell by how I looked). It was all around amusing and hilarious, and at the same time flattering.
He’s probably just on the lookout for decent looking girls who were walking alone. Hongdae is also one of the most popular and hip spots for young ppl to hang out at, and hence a great spot for picking up girls. Either way, that made my night, and probably was the most memorable highlight of the trip for me so far xD. Definitely a confidence booster, nice to know I’ve still got it! 😊
