I have seen it on both sides as to the discrimination that occurs. I have seen a family restaurant that was also a microbrewery with a live band disrupted by some Westerner’s.

I had been going to this place on the weekends since I enjoyed the beer and music. I did not recall there being any other Westerner’s for several weeks. Then one night I noticed a few others and a couple months later this was a common occurrence. Although there had been other Korean’s who would dance they were usually intoxicated and really should have called it a night. The Westerner’s really created the dancing in the establishment. I believe management was receptive since attendance was up. The Korean women who frequented the place were not working. The majority were there to have a good time. I noticed one evening one obnoxious individual who was intoxicated was attempting to hit on a woman on the dance floor. She was very polite and brushed off his advances as quick as they came on. She finally had enough and left the floor. He was marked and no one wanted to have anything to do with him or friends. The following week they were back. This time they were looking for a fight. When management finally had enough they were asked to leave. As time progressed and more Western’s made it the place to gather things became a little uncomfortable by the loud and obnoxious. I also had enough and quit going back for a very long time. I am not sure what happened to the place.

It was also during the World Cup when a neighbor and I went out for the evening. He was very apprehensive in going in one place where he thought we would have trouble. After a waiting period I convinced him to go in to check it out. If we felt the least bit of resentment we would leave. When we walked in the mood was very festive. Korea had just advanced to the playoffs and everyone was having a great time.

I have also seen on more than one occasion where I would await for the subway and a group of 4-5 Westerner’s would be walking through being very loud playing grab ass with their buddies. They really stood out since this was not common practice for most individuals riding the subway.

There were not many places that I feared to travel alone at anytime in Korea. I had more concern to watch out for intoxicated foreigners than I did anyone else.

I also personally experienced discrimination while I was there. One night my wife and a couple of her friends were going to a nightclub. As soon as we pulled up a guy checking the door came running up to the car to inform us they were welcome; however, I was not. I did not take it personal, although my wife did. Could you imagine that happening in the USA! Well I was not in the USA I was in another country and I should acknowledge that this will undoubtly occur. We did have a good time at another place that same evening though. If I had let it bother me, who would have lost out. It was not the place that had refused me bc I am a Westerner. Would have contacting the embassy or consulate made a difference. I am a realist. There are several nice places to go in Korea and have a great time. I cannot go to a place and enjoy myself when I know I am not wanted.

I could recite several incidents that I experienced on boths sides. The caveat here is if you feel you are not wanted move on. Too many places in Korea where you can enjoy.

Absolutely.
Nothing would happen.
I got discriminated by bartenders in MO; I look neither black nor yellow, just not quite white. There in those little towns I looked obviously non-local; they didn’t say anything like “we don’t want to serve you because you are not American”, but they did ask me for some membership cards, which none of the people present at the bar at the time had no idea of. And simply refused to serve me when I said I didn’t have one.
So, I went to another place where people didn’t have “membership cards” concerns.
This is what would happen and happens pretty often in that area, I believe.

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If it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic.

Isn't Itaewon full of non-korean's citizen? I would expect most of the business the bar's get are from them and not just korean citizens.

I find it interesting the kinds of things that some foreigners pick up from Korea, and how the view the country. I guess that's because there are only a few spots that are very popular to foreigners. If they ONLY hang around those areas they see GI's chasing women, Korean women flirting excessively with white men, hooker hill, people of all ethnicities behaving innappropriately (not that flirting is innappropriate, but some people go overboard). I mean, I've seen it all too, and I've had fun in Iteawan and Hongdae - I really like Hongdae. But, it's just funny when you live in other areas and get to know many Korean people. The majority of Korean girls are reserved and more likely to be kind of shy. A first date is usually with someone you've never met, and neither the man or woman expects to get past an introduction.
I guess because spots like Iteawan and Hongdae are set up for drinking and clubbing, you're going to see people from all ethnicities acting stupid or violent. Unfortunately this reflects badly on others. I have actually heard that some bars don't like Nigerians because SOME would come in, stay for hours and sip on one drink and harrass women. I couldn't tell you if that's true or not.
I'm also interested in the facts of the story, which I assume are difficult to get since it happened in a loud bar. I saw this story a while ago on another site.