Exciting Exercise: 5 sports you need to try in South Korea

If you’re a fitness fanatic or a gym rat, this list of sports to try in South Korea is for you…

Each country has its favourite sport. Think of Brazil. What sport do you think of? If you guessed football, you’d be correct. What about Canada? Maybe, you thought of hockey. Now try and imagine the most popular sport in South Korea. Football again? Or golf? Perhaps, baseball came to mind. There are many different sports to try in South Korea, and some are favoured over others. Korea isn’t the place to try rugby for the first time, but if you want to experience taekwondo there’s no better country. So what types of sports should you try while you’re in South Korea? These suggestions won’t always be the most popular forms of exercise around, but you’ll be able to find classes easily and might experience a different side to a hobby you’re already familiar with. And if none of these appeal to you, consider these close runner-ups.

Badminton

If you watched the Paris Olympics 2024, you might have seen Korea’s stellar performance in the badminton heats. An Se-Young’s play was exceptional, with the athlete taking home the gold medal for the Women’s Singles match (check out all the results here). So, clearly, Korea is doing something right with its badminton practice. Therefore, there is no better time to pick up your racket and head to your local club.

To find a badminton club in Korea, try checking out your nearby park or sports centre. While living in the country, I enjoyed playing this sport casually with friends in the local sports hall. There, we welcomed random strangers to play with us and met some fun people. You’ll also find many groups will practice at school gyms. So if you’re a teacher, do some snooping to discover if there is a team you can join. It’s a great way to meet people while getting the blood pumping.

Golf

If you have time and money to spare, golf might be the sport for you while you’re in Korea. This sport is incredibly popular within the country. However, it can be a little expensive when starting out. Nonetheless, when you’re ready to commit you’ll get to enjoy a tame sport. It’ll also lead you to some beautiful courses dotted around the country. For example, Jeju-do’s Nine Bridges course offers a stunning fairway, ranked within the best 100 courses in the world. Beautiful as it is, is there a cheaper way to enjoy this sport in Korea?

Every street corner in Korea seems to have a Golfzon. These indoor golf simulators allow you to play the game without having to go outside. With this technology, you don’t have to traipse around a golf course all afternoon. This golf craze has helped to make the sport accessible, no matter who you are and where you live in the country. So if you’re looking for a cheaper way to enjoy this popular sport, Korea and its indoor golf is a great place to start. 

Pilates

If you’re desperate to live like a K-pop star, you need to try Pilates. You don’t need to be rich and famous to give this activity a shot. Although Pilates is a lot more expensive than badminton in the park, you can usually book a term of small-group pilates for a decent price. And you get what you pay for: a dedicated instructor, plenty of equipment and, importantly, a fit and healthy body. However, a word of warning, Pilates in Korea uses a lot more equipment than expected. So be prepared to get familiar with a lot of unusual poses on some scary contraptions.

Pilates is especially popular in urban areas. Unfortunately, if you live in a more remote area in Korea, getting to a class might be a bit more challenging. If this is the case and you can’t find a studio nearby, why not try out some Pilates on YouTube from Korean content creators? Himeuddeum (힙으뜸) is a great example of a Pilates channel where you can tone up and learn Korean at the same time. You might even recognise the creator, Shim Eu-ddeum, from Netflix’s Physical 100. 

Taekwondo

How can you visit Korea and not try the national sport? Nowhere will you find better tuition for this activity than in South Korea itself. If you’re looking for a sport to teach you balance, strength and discipline, taekwondo is for you. Not to mention, no one will mess with you again once you master all the moves. If you need something to aspire to have a look at what taekwondo professionals look like here:

If you’re living in Korea, you’ll discover that many kids love to attend taekwondo hagwons. But don’t worry about being older; it’s not too late for you to learn this sport. Pop along to a local adult class to try this fun activity. Additionally, you’ll find that many cultural exchanges offer a taekwondo experience. I managed to attend a lesson as part of my orientation to the country (have a look at how this went here). This was a great opportunity to get dressed in the uniform, feel powerful, and break some planks of wood in half. If you want to truly embrace Korean culture, try taekwondo. 

Volleyball

Much like badminton, volleyball is another sport that is popular in Korean schools. This activity is a great team sport that forces you to get stuck in. The benefit of volleyball is that the rules are relatively easy to pick up as you play. You also don’t need anything special to start playing. That being said, you’ll see a lot of team members in Korea wearing knee and elbow padding. If you think that this is the sport for you, you might want to consider purchasing similar protective wear.

Once again, head down to your local sports centre or ask your work colleagues if they have a team recommendation if you’re interested in trying volleyball. Alternatively, try searching for baegu (배구) online and see if there are any clubs in your local area. And if you’re still hesitant about trying this hardcore sport, pick up some tips by watching the V-League. Check out the fabulous men’s and women’s teams online or at a stadium around Korea. Get inspired and try volleyball. 

Other sports to try in South Korea:

Football

Please say that you’ve heard of Son Heung-min, the soccer sensation from Korea. His captaincy of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, along with the skills of other key players, has inspired many to watch and play soccer across the country. If you’re looking for the most popular sport in South Korea, you’ve found it.

Hiking

While you’re in Korea you’d be silly to miss out on the thousands of hikes that the natural landscape has generated. Some of the most famous (and easiest) hikes are in Seoul, such as the climb to Namsan Tower. The perk of trying some hikes while you’re staying in Korea is that you get to stay healthy while enjoying some awesome views. Plus, oftentimes there will be a cable car along the way to give you a helping hand if you need one.  

Outdoor gym

Looking for a free but fun way to exercise? Try an outdoor gym. These are found everywhere in Korea and usually consist of three or four pieces of metal equipment. While this apparatus won’t be as high-tech as the stuff you see in an indoor gym, they are much beloved by older people in Korea. These workout spaces also make a great place to warm up before starting more intense exercise, like a run. 

Baseball

Not only is baseball a fun team sport to try, but it can also be a lot of fun to watch. Choose your favourite team and head to a stadium to support them. Rest assured, this isn’t just a sporting event. It’s a cultural experience. There’ll be chimaek galore (chicken and beer), fun chants and lots of laughs at these games. If this seems a lot more fun than actually doing the sport, try out a baseball game. (Go Samsung Lions)!

Indoor bouldering

Another great solo sport, bouldering will work muscles you didn’t even know existed. While it can be expensive to buy the proper shoes and equipment, once you get started it’ll be hard to stop. You don’t need any experience to try this exercise, just find your nearest indoor centre and give it a go. Remember the wall will be colour-coded so you can find a climb at your level. I really enjoyed giving this a go in Daejeon. Nonetheless, this may be one to avoid if you’re scared of heights.

Dance

With the media filled with all sorts of K-pop routines, it’s no surprise that dance classes are popular in South Korea. Head to a lesson in Seoul to learn fun hip-hop routines. 1 Million Dance Studio is a great example of a studio that offers flexible classes. Try a beginner class for an introduction to this discipline or head to an advanced lesson if you’re already feeling confident. Check out this post to find out how to book and what to expect at one of these classes.

It’s workout time

Are you ready to get fit while discovering South Korea. Engaging with sports while living abroad is a great way to meet people while experiencing a different culture. If you’re struggling to adjust or are feeling lonely, this can be a great way to combat homesickness. Perhaps you want to continue a sport you played in your home country or try something new. South Korea offers a whole range of team and solo activities, some classic and some unfamiliar. Increase your heart beat with volleyball, or stretch with pilates. Maybe, you’re interested in learning about Korean culture with taekwondo. Whatever sport you go for, be open to discovering more about yourself and Korea while you do it. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover a new talent while you’re living away. So put on your running shoes, and head to the sports centre.