Found myself kicking around Seoul for a bit. Wasn’t exactly a planned vacation, more like tagging along while my friend sorted some work stuff out. Left me with a lot of time to kill during the days, you know? Started thinking, I used to play a bit of basketball way back when. Nothing serious, just for fun. Figured, maybe I could find a court, shoot some hoops.
Looking for a Game
First step was just walking around. We were staying near Myeongdong, which turned out to be mostly shops and restaurants. Didn’t see any hoops there. So, I tried searching online. That was a bit tough, honestly. Lots of Korean language sites, hard to pin down where casual games might happen. Google Maps showed some spots, but it wasn’t clear if they were public or part of schools.
Asked the guy at the hotel front desk. He was helpful enough, pointed me towards the parks along the Han River. Said lots of people exercise there. Sounded promising.
First Try: Han River Courts
Took the subway out to Yeouido Park, I think it was. Big place, really nice, right by the water. Loads of people cycling, families having picnics. Found the basketball courts eventually. And wow, they were busy. Full courts, lots of games going on.
Couple things I noticed:
- The players were mostly young guys, looked like university students maybe.
- They were pretty good. Fast pace, lots of quick passes, serious games.
Honestly, I just stood and watched for a while. Felt a bit out of place, didn’t really have the confidence to try and jump in with those guys. Seemed like established groups. Plus, felt like I’d slow them down, being older and rusty. So, that was a bust for actually playing.
Second Try: Neighborhood Find
A few days later, I was exploring a different area, wandering around Hongdae, known for its artsy vibe. Got a bit lost down some side streets, away from the main crowds. And then I saw it – a smaller, slightly worn-looking court tucked between some apartment buildings. Much quieter.
There were just a few guys there, looked like they were maybe in their 30s or 40s, just casually shooting around. This felt more my speed. Less intimidating.
Hitting the Court
Walked over, kinda awkwardly gestured at the ball and the hoop, said “Basketball?”. They looked at each other, then one guy nodded and passed me the ball. So, I joined in. We ended up playing some relaxed 3-on-3. Language was obviously a barrier. We communicated mostly through nods, pointing, and the usual game stuff – calling fouls with a hand raise, that sort of thing.
It wasn’t fancy. The court wasn’t perfect, my shots weren’t falling like they used to. But it felt good just to run, pass, and be part of a game again. Simple stuff. We played for maybe an hour or so until dusk started settling in.
Some Thoughts After
After we finished, one of the guys offered me a cold canned coffee from a nearby vending machine. We just sat on a bench beside the court for a bit, not saying much. It was kinda nice, actually. Just this simple moment of connection after a pickup game.
Made me think, Seoul is this huge, modern city, buzzing with energy, K-pop, incredible food, all that. But finding that little neighbourhood court and just playing a simple game felt… grounding. It wasn’t about the big tourist sights. It was just people, a ball, and a hoop. Sometimes the best experiences are the ones you just stumble upon, you know? Wasn’t about showing off or winning, just the act of playing. Reminded me of being a kid, finding those hidden spots to play.
So, yeah. Played some basketball in Seoul. Didn’t change my life or anything dramatic. But it was a good way to spend an afternoon, connect with some locals without needing words, and just feel part of something normal in a foreign place. Better than watching TV in the hotel, that’s for sure.
