Whats it like to live in South Korea?

Travel Info
Sister moving there in Dec, wants to know if anyone has any good advice?

Travel Tips

Been living here 4 years. I came with no prior knowledge and I think that was best. That said...
Remember the number 1331. Whatever you need, from a doctor to the nearest dry cleaner, just call them 24 hours a day and they will hook you up. It is the tourist information line - but it is more like the expat lifeline. Don't bother bringing your cell phone, they are on CDMA here, and you can pick up a good secondhand one for next to nothing in Yongsan electronics market. Ask a local or experienced expat to help you and haggle haggle haggle.

An aircon is not a luxury here it is a NECESSITY. Summers not so hot (says the antipodean) but they are #$%^^ humid. Winters cold with biting wind, but the standard feature of ondol floor heating is the best way to heat a house and destroy electronics and hairdryers. Do not leave things lying on the floor in winter unless you want them "well-done".
It is extremely safe here, no problems going out at night alone as a woman. I usually go inline-skating along the Han River from 10pm-1am during summer. (I am a woman.)
Read expat on drinking culture, but that is mainly for men. Women are not expected to be heavy drinkers. They will not force a woman to drink, but they will like it if you can hold your liquor.
Koreans can be spectacularly rude and spectacularly hospitable, so enjoy the hospitality and ignore the rude ones. There are more wonderful people here than rude gits. If you are teaching English - GOOOD LUCK. Read embassy sites for the warnings and know they are being polite. However, most people survive and have a good time doing it. Do not judge the entire nation by hagwan bosses. The industry seems to bring out the worst in people.
For women, it is recommended to hook up with SIWA in Seoul. They are a women's social networking group. No real expat community unless you count the drunk, homesick teachers and soldiers in Itaewon. ( clearly not my scene)
There are organizations like adventurekorea and tour2korea for travel tips.
Oh yes BRING A YEARS' SUPPLY OF DEODERANT, or get family to send you care packages of the stuff. It can be found in some foreign supermarkets in Seoul, but the stuff in Korean stores is more perfume than antiperspirant. No hyperallergenic stuff available.
Basic Korean is easy to learn and goes a long way. Not much English spoken here, so having a survival level of Korean will make your stay more pleasant.
A lot of people want foreign friends to practice English. Korean culture has friendship for a purpose so they really see you as a friend but it does not feel like it to you. Chalk it up to cultural differences and get over it. They do not mean to hurt your feelings. The best friends I have made have been through language exchanges where the language learning part is upfront and the friendship follows as a natural progression.
For accomodation try for a new building. There are "officetels" that are relatively inexpensive and comfortable. They are like studio apartments that can be used for business or residential purposes hence the name.
Enjoy the food. There is so much variety you will surely find something you like. Give Kimchi at least three chances if you do not like it the first time. It is a bit of a love it or hate it condiment, and it is served with everything. A meal is not a meal here without Kimchi.
Above all, have a good time and roll with the punches. Source(s): Life in Korea

Other Travel Tips
Well, at Christmas there's these signs that go up everywhere saying "Remember. A puppy isn't just for Christmas - with luck there'll be some left for Boxing Day."
It's HOT!!!!!
sometimes it's really crowded in malls and stuff (sat&sun).
kareoke is popular (very).
hot in sumer. buy a fan. or an air conditioner. its worth it.
cold in winter.... average below 15-20?... haha it will snow.
Korean ppl are really... (how do you call it) "amazed" when an caucasian person walks by. (Atleast I do when I was there...) They'll stare at you sometimes....
They'll be REALLY amazed when a caucasion person talks korean well. ^^
There's englsih channels in korea too - discovery channel. yay!!
They have fabulous clothings in Korea...
Hope your sis have fun ^^
Students = study majority of the time. esp. in high school >_<
middle school studies a lot too, to prepare for high school T_T grr.
elementary studies quite some amount, depending on themselves and parents.

just overall: its crowded. summers are hot, winters are cold.
but living is just wonderful. =D
AWESOME!!!
during the winter there are these places where vendors sells foods like the hot dog ppl
there are baled bunuhbang (gold fish shaped bread) and baked yams soo good and there are these spicy rice cakes (drool) night clubs karaoke movies gag concerts street magic so MUCH i regret cauz i never had to experience them all o i highly recommend u to visit korean magic shows its friken awesome