I still remember my first month in Ansan. I was living near the Multicultural Street, surrounded by signs in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Russian, feeling like I was in a weird limbo—not quite a tourist, but definitely not a local. I spent a Friday night sitting alone in a cheap gopchang restaurant, nursing a bottle of soju, watching groups of Koreans laugh and grill meat together. I felt invisible. I realized that just being in a “multicultural” area doesn’t automatically mean you make local friends; in fact, it can sometimes isolate you further if you only stick to the expat enclaves.
Here is the survival guide I wish I had when I first moved to Gyeonggi-do.
1. Join a Hobby Group That Isn’t About “Language Exchange”
Stop looking for a language exchange partner. Seriously. Those meetings often turn into awkward job interviews where you are treated as a free English tutor. Instead, look for clubs based on *actions*. In Ansan, the hiking groups around Gwangdeoksan or the cycling clubs along the Hangang River are gold mines. When you are sweating and struggling up a hill together, the “foreigner” barrier drops. Koreans open up when you are doing an activity side-by-side rather than sitting across a table forcing conversation. Check apps like Meetup or Naver Cafe (use Papago to translate) for local hobby groups. If you can’t speak Korean well, just show up and try. Effort is respected more than fluency.
2. The “Second Round” (2차) is Where the Magic Happens
In Korea, the first round of dinner (1차) is about eating. The real socializing happens at the “Second Round” (2차), usually at a pub (hof) or a noraebang (karaoke). As an expat, you often get invited to the first round as a polite gesture, but you need to push to join the second. This is where the hierarchy dissolves and people get real. My closest Korean friends were made at 1:00 AM singing terrible ballads in a noraebang near Ansan Station. Don’t be the person who goes home after dinner. Stick around, buy a round of drinks (or snacks), and let the soju do its work.
3. Use the “Multicultural” Status to Your Advantage
Ansan is unique. You have access to the Ansan Migrant Community Service Center and various global centers. While these are great for support, they are also staffed by Koreans who are genuinely interested in foreign cultures. Volunteering there or attending their cultural festivals is a shortcut to meeting open-minded locals. Also, don’t ignore the older generation (ajeossis and ajummas) at the traditional markets (like the Ansan Jungang Market). A simple “Annyeonghaseyo” and buying some fruit goes a long way. They might not be your drinking buddies, but they are the neighborhood watch—and they know everyone. One introduction from a friendly shop owner can lead to a dinner invitation with their son or daughter.
The Brutal Truth
Koreans are not “closed off,” but their social circles are locked in by middle school. The harsh reality is that most Koreans already have their lifelong friend group established by the time they are 15. Breaking into a new, tight-knit circle past the age of 25 is incredibly difficult, and it will take months, not weeks. You will often be seen as an “outsider” or a “guest” for a long time. If you are expecting to be immediately “one of the guys,” you will be disappointed. You have to be the one to initiate contact repeatedly. It is exhausting. Accept that many people will be polite but distant, and focus your energy on the 10% who actually want to invest the time. Don’t take it personally; it’s not about you, it’s about their cultural comfort zone.
Conclusion
Living in Ansan is a blessing because it is one of the few places in Korea where being foreign is the norm, not the exception. But making friends here requires grit. You have to show up, you have to embarrass yourself with bad pronunciation, and you have to be the one to say “Let’s eat again next week” first. It takes time, but once you crack the shell, Korean friendship is one of the most loyal and rewarding things you will ever experience. Keep trying, keep hiking, and don’t drink alone.
태그 : 외국인 한국 친구 만들기, making korean friends ansan, expat life gyeonggi do, multicultural street ansan, how to meet locals in korea, korean social culture tips, ansan expat guide
🛒 Korea Life Essential: Korea survival kit
One of the must-have items to make your life in Ansan (Multicultural Street), Gyeonggi easier and more enjoyable!
| 🇰🇷 Coupang | Buy on Coupang |
| 🌍 AliExpress | Buy on AliExpress |
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
