On Monday night I accidentally spilled water all over my personal laptop, which was the catalyst for my interesting experience this week.
In order to recover the data (including all of my portfolio research) and see about getting my laptop repaired, I had to visit Yongsan, a district located in the center of Seoul which is home to the headquarters for U.S. military forces in Korea and the famous Yongsan Electronics Market—my destination.
After spilling water on my laptop and finding that it would no longer turn on, I quickly googled ‘English computer repair Seoul.’ The top result was a place called Phil’s Computer Repository in Yongsan. After looking through the website and analyzing a few other results, I decided that Phil was my best shot at getting my data back.
After class on Tuesday, I made the hour-long subway trip to Yongsan, all the while hoping that Phil would be able to rescue my entire semester’s work. After finally arriving at the Yongsan Electronics Market, I found that it wasn’t so much a market as it was an entire neighborhood. The “market” comprised over 20 different buildings connected by tunnels and skyways that were home to more than 5,000 stores (some of which were practically closets) which specialized in the wholesale retail of every electronic device or component imaginable. Scattered amongst these stores were dozens and dozens of repair shops, and I was looking for one of them.
An earlier text exchange with Phil had told me that he was on the third floor of a particular building. Once I found the building and spent about 35 minutes wandering around the third floor, I finally located Phil’s Computer Repository, which was about half the size of my dorm room. Inside was Phil surrounded by stacks of computers, laptops, monitors, and tools. I introduced myself as the “guy with the water-damaged laptop” and shook his hand, to which he immediately responded: “You’re military aren’t you? I can tell by your handshake. All the military guys who come in here always give me a firm handshake. Also your haircut is a dead giveaway.” I found this interaction fairly amusing, as this is the first time since I’ve been in Korea that someone has so directly identified me as being military. Phil then proceeded to tell me that he was born to Korean parents in New York City and came to Seoul to study in college. While studying here, he began repairing computers and laptops for the English-speakers who did not really have anywhere else to go. Eventually, he found that his repair business was quite lucrative, so he returned to Seoul after finishing is degree in the U.S. and opened up his shop in Yongsan.
Much to my relief, Phil cracked open my laptop, pulled out my hard drive and recovered all of my data. He also inspected the water-damaged motherboard and told me he thought that he would be able to repair it. He told me that if I came back in a few days I would have a laptop that was “as good as new.” We chatted a bit longer over computers and eSports, and the other side of his business which is building high-end performance computers for serious gamers.
After leaving Phil’s, I decided to explore the so-called “market” for a little while. I was amazed by the sheer quantity of electronic equipment which seemed to cover every surface rose in stacks to the ceiling. While some stores seemed to be pretty dilapidated and run-down, others, like Samsung and Intel dealers, were shiny and new. The distinguishing market-like characteristic was the haggling between buyers and sellers over prices and quantities at any given store. The hallways were crowded with people rushing carts of equipment from store to store and men running up and down the staircases with large boxes.
Phil was able to fix my laptop for a reasonable price and told me that if I have any issues in the next couple weeks he will sort it out at no additional charge. Though the entire situation was incredibly frustrating at first, I got to visit a part of Seoul that I would never have seen otherwise. Though Seoul is known for its technological innovation and integration, much of what I’ve witnessed has been the shiny, new, high-end final product, while the electronics market was definitely the “behind-the scenes.” I was able to experience an alternative perspective of this niche of Korean culture with the added bonus of making acquaintances with an American expat.