10 Surprising Facts About Incheon You Probably Didn't Know (From a Sleep-Deprived Busker)
okay, so, Incheon. Right? Everyone flies through Incheon. It's the airport. But… it’s actually a place. A real place with, like, people and history and… stuff. I’ve been busking here for, uh, longer than I care to admit. Mostly near Songdo Central Park, trying to earn enough for ramen and a slightly less damp sleeping bag. And I’ve picked up a few things. Things the guidebooks definitely don't tell you.
It's been drizzling all week, that kind of damp chill that seeps into your bones. Feels like the sea’s just crying all over the place. My neighbors? Well, Seoul’s a quick KTX ride away, obviously. And Tianjin, China? You can practically throw a rock and hit it. Seriously, the proximity is wild.
So, here's the deal. Ten things I've learned. Don't expect a polished list. This is more like… notes scribbled on a napkin after too much instant coffee.
1. *Yeongjong Island is massive. Like, you think you’ve seen it from the airport, but you haven’t. It’s got beaches, fishing villages, and a whole lot of empty space. Apparently, it used to be a major salt production area. Who knew? I found this really interesting forum about it: Incheon History Forum
2. The job market… okay, so it’s heavily skewed towards airport-related stuff. Logistics, hospitality, that kind of thing. But if you’re fluent in Korean and have any kind of tech skill, you’re golden. I overheard a recruiter saying entry-level IT jobs start around ₩35 million a year. That’s… a lot of ramen.
3. Songdo is… weird. It’s this brand-new, planned city built on reclaimed land. It’s got these crazy-tall buildings and wide-open spaces, but it feels… empty sometimes. Like a movie set. It's got some decent restaurants though, check out the reviews on Yelp.
4. Safety? Seriously, it’s ridiculously safe. I’ve left my guitar case unattended (don’t judge, I was chasing a stray cat) and it was still there when I got back. But don’t be an idiot, okay? Common sense still applies.
5. Rent in Songdo is… ouch. Like, seriously expensive. You’re looking at at least ₩800,000 a month for a tiny studio. Outside of Songdo, it’s more manageable, but you’ll be commuting. I’m paying ₩450,000 for a shared room in Bupyeong-gu. It’s… cozy.
6. The Incheon Grand Park is actually pretty great. It’s got a zoo, a botanical garden, and a lake. A good place to escape the concrete jungle.
7. Central Park (the one I busk in) isn't actually a real park. It's a man-made lake surrounded by buildings. It's… fine. It’s got ducks.
8. There's a surprisingly vibrant vintage clothing scene in Chinatown. Seriously, some hidden gems. I found a killer leather jacket for ₩30,000 the other day. Check out this TripAdvisor page for some ideas.
9. Okay, this is a rumor, but I heard from a local shopkeeper that the old Ganghwado Island fort is haunted. Apparently, soldiers who died defending it still roam the grounds. I’m tempted to check it out… for research, obviously.
10. The seafood is amazing. Like, seriously. Go to the seafood markets and just point at whatever looks good. You won’t be disappointed.
Overheard Gossip: “Did you hear about that American guy who tried to haggle with a street vendor? They say he got chased down the street by a swarm of ajummas wielding umbrellas.”
Drunk Advice: “Don’t trust anyone who tells you Songdo is ‘authentic’ Korean culture. It’s not. It’s a shiny, expensive experiment.”
Something a Local Warned Me About:* “Be careful around the docks at night. There are… things that happen there that you don’t want to see.”
Cost of Living (Rough Estimates - as of late 2023):
| Expense | Monthly Cost (₩) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (Studio, outside Songdo) | 450,000 - 700,000 | Varies wildly by location |
| Food | 300,000 - 500,000 | Ramen is your friend |
| Transportation | 50,000 - 100,000 | T-money card is essential |
| Utilities | 80,000 - 150,000 | Depends on usage |
| Entertainment | 100,000+ | K-Pop concerts are expensive |
So yeah. That’s Incheon. It’s not Seoul. It’s not Busan. It’s… Incheon. And it’s got its own weird charm. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find a dry corner to sleep in. And maybe write a song about pigeons. Incheon Subreddit might have some more local insights too.
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