Communities and Groups in Seoul Korea

Listed below are the list of communities or groups to help you connect with people from your country, make new friends, develop new hobby and explore Korea.

International Communities in South Korea to help you get settled

SIWA – Seoul International Women’s Association
http://www.siwapage.com/
Whether you are a newcomer to Seoul, long-time expat or Korean resident, SIWA has something for you. Founded in 1952, the Seoul International Women’s Association is Seoul’s largest and oldest international women’s group. Bringing together women from over 50 countries, SIWA provides opportunities for friendship, cultural exchange, personal growth and community service.

BIWA – Busan International Women’s Association
http://www.biwa-korea.com/
The Busan International Women’s Association (BIWA) is a charitable social and cultural organization open to women living in the Busan and Kyungsang Namdo area of South Korea. As a non-profit organization they raise money to help those in the local Korean community who are in need. BIWA encourages friendship, support, and cultural exchange between their international and Korean members by organizing a wide variety of social and cultural activities. They host a number of regular activities like a monthly coffee morning at the Pale de CZ Starbucks on Haeundae Beach as well as a regular schedule of special activities. Join in the monthly BIWA luncheon, learn a new language, tour a local site, go on a hike or join the Mums & Tots for a playgroup outing.

DIWA – Daegu International Women’s Association
webmaster@diwakorea.com
The Daegu International Women’s Association is a nonprofit charitable organisation of foreign and Korean women living in the Daegu area. They regularly donate funds to needy institutions in the Daegu area. In adddition to its regular luncheon every 4th Thursday (10:30 to 1:30), DIWA also organizes various classes and other activities for its members.

Annapurna – Indian Women’s Club
http://www.indembassy.or.kr/AnnapurnaWomensClub.aspx?Cul=en-US
ANNAPURNA is an association of ladies of Indian origin in Seoul, Korea. They meet regularly to exchange information about India and Korea, make new friends, represent India in cultural festivals organized in Korea, leisure outings, learn new skills, and celebrate Indian festivals. For membership you can mail to annapurna.seoul@gmail.com

AWC – American Women’s Club
http://www.awckorea-seoul.org/
The American Women’s Club of Korea is a group of women who gather for friendship and social activities, as well as raising funds for general welfare purposes focusing on local Korean and American communities. They offer various activities throughout the month to meet the social and philanthropic desires of their members. Whether you want to meet new friends or give back to the local community– they have it all! It won’t take you long to get settled in after attending one of their monthly meetings. There are plenty of new friends waiting to warmly welcome you. If you desire to volunteer at a local orphanage or help sort clothes at the AWC- Thrift Shop, they can help with that too. Join and find out what they have to offer!

OCWC – Oversees Chinese Women’s Club
http://ocwckr.wordpress.com/
Oversees Chinese Women’s Club is a Chinese Women’s association with a 20-year history. The club consists of Chinese with various nationalities such as American, British, and Hong Kong. Foreigners who can speak Chinese can join the club.

AFC – Association des Francophones de Coree
http://www.afc-online.org/
A club open to all French nationals. They host annual events and members are issued Le Petit Echotier free of charge.

ANZA – Australian and Newzealand
http://www.anzakorea.com
Whether you are new to Seoul or a long term resident, ANZA provides information, networking, social, recreational and sporting activities for its’ members. Some of the benefits that members enjoy include: Monthly Global Cafe,  Annual Fundraising Ball, Melbourne Cup Lunch, Wine Order twice per year, Social Functions, Sporting Activities. ANZA also supports various local charities through its fundraising activities.

BASS – British Association of Seoul
http://www.britishseoul.com
The British Association of Seoul is a vibrant and active social group for British expatriates and all nationalities. BASS is a truly international group with approximately 100 members. They host a full calendar of social events and maintain strong ties to the local community through fundraising efforts.

German Club
http://www.deutscherclubseoul.de/
Hosts monthly Coffee Morning meetings as well as trips and events throughout the year.

Gwanju Living
http://www.gwangjuliving.com/
Gwangju Living has an events page for in and around Gwangju. There is also some useful information on local groups which visitors and residents might find useful.

IIK – Indians in Korea
http://www.indiansinkorea.com/
If you want to meet Indians living, working or studying in Korea then you must visit Indians in Korea website and register with their yahoo group: indianscommunityinKorea-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Here in this group you will find more than 10,000 Indians working or studying in Korea. If you have any query about lilfe in Korea then some one or the other will definitely answer your query on that group. It will also keep you updated about Indian Festivals being celebrated in Korea and various other news from the Indian embassy in Korea. Alternatively, you can also join the Indians in Korea group on Facebook.

Seoul Global Center
http://global.seoul.go.kr/
Useful center offering help to expats online as well as in-person in almost all aspects of everyday life in Korea. Check the Seoul Global Center article on our website for more details.

Seoul Global Business Support Center
http://global.seoul.go.kr/bizsupport/biz.do
Provides extensive, free services for foreigners who wish to do business in Seoul. They regularly conduct Business Start Up School for expats who wish to expand their business in Korea.

Groups for Hiking, Travel and Exploring Korean Culture

Seoul Hiking Group (Facebook)
http://www.facebook.com/groups/seoulhiking/
LOVE NATURE > HIKE in the mountains, the mother of Nature > Make Friends > HAVE lots of fun, laugh and RELAX > BREATHE FRESH AIR > Walk and enjoy the scenery and company. New comers are more than welcome, definitely! Even for beginners, moderate, and advanced hikers. Hike different courses that suit your needs and abilities. Visit the temples and surrounding cities and even festivals and events on our hikes all over Korea. This is an easygoing, open-minded group. Please, don’t hesitate because you’re alone. Most of us come alone and all get along together. It is social club of various kinds of people.

Seoul Hiking Club
http://www.hikingkorea.com/
SHC is the place for folks who enjoy hiking, traveling, and meeting new people. Most of our members are either native English speakers or Koreans who are very proficient with English. The club includes folks from all walks of life and the four corners of the globe. They go hiking every Saturday without fail, regardless of the weather! They have hiked EVERY SATURDAY since January 3, 1998! They hike mountains throughout the country, from Bukansan near Seoul to Jirisan in the southern province. In addition to hiking, the club members often have parties and other social gatherings. This hiking club was established to bring hikers together and NOT as a commercial venture. All fees go toward supporting the hikes and the club web site.

RAS – Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch
http://www.raskb.com/
The Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch (RASKB), founded in 1900, is the oldest organization in Korea specially designed to introduce people to the beauty of this land in all its many aspects. The RASKB, a non-profit organization, aims to help people enhance their understanding of the arts, customs, history and landscapes of Korea through lectures, tours and publications. They have members  from all walks of life, all nationalities, all ages, all professions; anyone with a sense of adventure and a bit of intellectual curiosity is welcome.

Meet Talk Play
http://icworld.or.kr/
International Exchange & Cultural Promotion Institute organizes Meet! Talk! Play! with Korean college students and foreign students every Wednesday 7.00 pm at Byeolhadang, Anguk Station, Gate #4. Every Wednesday, Korean Students and Foreign students gather around to have a FUN / Exotic / Unique time. They discuss and talk about daily topics, which could be about Korean Culture & History or recent matter happening in Korea. Then, in the epic second round you can strengthen your friendship with the folks. You and your new friends can create all the activities! You can arrange volunteer activities with ICI as well. Check out more about their program by visiting them on Wednesday. Fee – 5000 won per person. The fee includes snack, rent, supplies, contribution and volunteer activities.

Seoul Hangout, travel and hiking group
http://www.facebook.com/groups/seoulhangout/
Seoul Lovers meet together for hangout and the following activities: travel, hiking, Korean food, movie and sports activities, skiing and ice skating, dinner at TGIF, cooking, meet new people, learn Korean culture, history and Korean language. Group members can suggest any meetups. Open to all new members. Please check www.meetup.com/seoullovers

Climbing in Korea
http://www.meetup.com/climbinginkorea/
This is a group for people who love hiking and socializing. You’ll have a great time at the most beautiful areas in Korea. For more information: go to http://www.climbinginkorea.com/

Lonely Korea
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lonelykorea/
If you have a passion for travelling around Korea, then join the Lonely Korea group on facebook. They offer widest selection of affordable small group tours.

Travel & Culture Group
http://www.meetup.com/travel-715/
Meet fellow cultural and travel enthusiasts near you! Join them on our quest to visit all of the great places Korea has to offer. Some of the trips organized by them are Dokdo trip, Jeju Island, Gyeongju Bike Tour, Mud Festival, Rafting, River Trekking.

Art, Cinema, Theater & Recreation Groups

Seoul Players
http://www.seoulplayers.com/
Seoul Players is an English-speaking theater company in Seoul, South Korea. They are a non-profit group who bring English-language theater to Seoul. Seoul Players brings talented people together to create exciting English-language theater in Korea. All those involved with the Seoul Players volunteer their time for their love of theater. Seoul Players welcomes all who are interested in auditioning, performing, volunteering, or watching high-quality English theater in Korea. Seoul Players was formed in late 2001 by Roman Zolnierczyk, a keen Australian thespian, and business executive, who was then living in Seoul. At that time, there was very little English-speaking theater in Seoul.

Seoul Writers Workshop
http://seoulwriters.wordpress.com/
Chris Sanders, Kathryn Whinney and Ang McLaughlin started Seoul Writers Workshop (SWW) in December 2007 in Seoul, South Korea. It grew from a small band of members to a 200 plus group of Facebook members, with various degrees of involvement in the group. SWW members meet every two weeks in order to read and critique each other’s work. The aim is to provide opinions and constructive criticism. Work is distributed before workshop for members to have time to read, consider and comment on the work.

Laughing Tree Gallery
http://www.laughingtree.com/
Laughing Tree is an interdisciplinary creative production house in Haebangchon, encompassing the work of Adam and Jessica Lofbomm and their collaborators. Ranging from professional voice acting to music and visual arts, Laughing Tree focuses on bringing beauty and excellence into everything. Whether creating quality web content, or at work in the recording studio, art studio, and gallery, Laughing Tree always aims to create, collaborate, reimagine, and inspire. Laughing Tree continually seeks to highlight the beauty in the most mundane of things.

Korean Cooking Classes
http://koreancookingclasses.blogspot.com/
If you are in Seoul and interested in Korean cooking, you can join Korean cooking classes. Check their up-to-date news at http://cookinseoul.tumblr.com/ They make 2 menus that are right for the season and the whole class will be a group of 4 people in the small cooking studio near Ogeum station. They teach everyday meals of ordinary Korean families and you can enjoy the meal afterwards. In these classes you will get to know more about Korean cuisines and culture.

Art Hopping in Seoul
http://www.facebook.com/groups/164470916767/
This group hopes to bring foreign residents, visitors and Korean art lovers and artists together to check out exhibitions and performances, talk about art and possibly network some great ideas. This group is used as a quick message board where anyone can post ads about current and upcoming exhibitions in Seoul and beyond. It also acts as a hub for anyone who wants to take part in or organize an Art Meet Up to visit galleries together.

Seoul Art Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/seoulart/
Meet with others in your local area who love Art. All forms of Art, including painters, photographers, sculptors, conceptual artists, performance artists, filmmakers, graphic designers, curators, etc. to discuss techniques, share critiques, and offer gallery/exhibiting advice. They meet to discuss art, visit galleries, museums, theaters and create art.

The Seoul Dining Out Group
http://www.meetup.com/diningout-437/
Meet People Interested in Dining Out in your area! Come to a local Dining Out Meetup to break bread with fellow foodies and gourmets. Discover new restaurants, enjoy delicious meals and make satisfying conversation with friendly dinner companions. It’s a big dinner table and all are welcome!

Sports Related Groups

Korea Contract Bridge League
http://kcbl.org/bbs/clubs-e.php
A club formed to join Koreans and foreigners interested in playing bridge together.

Seoul Flyers Running Club
http://www.seoulflyers.com/
Seoul Flyers Running Club is a premier running club with runners from all over the world. They have a wide range of people from Koreans to foreigners. Seoul Flyers are all about running to stay healthy and belonging to something bigger than just him or herself. Great friendships are forged during the training runs, races, socials, etc. that some of us can keep for a life time. They welcome runners at any level of running experience and anyone (expats, Korean, old & young) can join. It is a charitable & non-profit running club. Send them a note to get more details or just visit their weekly runs/meetings.

Language Exchange – Learning Korean

Seoul Language Exchange Club

http://www.meetup.com/Seoul-Lanaguage-Exchange-Club/

Seoul Language Exchange Club is an international language exchange group that brings together native and non-native speakers of many different languages from various countries around the world. The group provides a fun and relaxed atmosphere where you can practice speaking a new language and make new friends with people from all over the world completely for FREE!

PCL Korean Study Class
http://www.meetup.com/PCLKorean/
The PCL Korean Study Class was started to help those who wish to study and learn about Korean People, its Culture and Language (hence PCL). They have weekly classes every Saturdays (from 11:00am to 1:00pm) near Jamsil in Seoul. And all the classes are FREE!

They also have outings and activities that focus and improve listening and conversational skills such as a monthly Hallyuwood movie show. For those wishing to speak Korean and for Koreans wishing to speak English this is a fantastic opportunity for cultural exchange.

Bucheon English Clubs
http://bucheonenglish.webs.com
Feel good about improving your English. Feel good about donating to help fight poverty. Cost: Free! Students are encouraged to make a donation to charity (specifically the Millennium Promise Goals), but there is no required donation.

Friendship Groups in Seoul

J.I.F – Johnny’s International Friendship Group in Seoul
http://www.facebook.com/groups/bs9rapa
J.I.F meet takes place on Saturday once or twice a month. For Friendship, Drinking, Party and Culture Exchange. A small step to break down racism, discrimination and stereotype. Age and Nationality don’t matter.

Seoul-Circle – Drinking Beer, Networking with International Friends
http://www.facebook.com/groups/seoulcircle/
“Seoul-Circle” is for all Foreigners and Koreans interested in friendship, learning about each other’s cultures and backgrounds, networking and being a part of a dynamic group of interesting and different people from all over the world. The first step is to break down stereotypes, racism and ignorance and to build a society with tolerance, acceptance and global understanding. It starts right here with kind and carefree people like members of this club. There is no criteria or limits to being a member or attending functions. Age, sex, background and education hierarchy do not apply here. The rule is – just be respectful to one another and have a good time.

Lost in Seoul
http://www.meetup.com/lostinseoul/
Lost in Seoul is a non-profit social group. They plan and host a variety of awesome events and trips to help you meet new people and make the most of your time in Korea.

Seoulite
http://www.meetup.com/Seoulite/
Seoul is one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas, filled with diverse, stylish, cultural people. Seoulites are people who live in and around Seoul who get together to network, share ideas and learn about culture while exploring the coolest places in the city. They value open-mindedness and diversity.

For more such groups visit Korea4Expat site.