FAQ

Here you can find most common questions regarding our Academy in Korea and Online Teaching.

BIBA – General questions

Q: What is BIBA?

A: BIBA is an international academy of Baduk (Go) opened in 2011 by Kim Seungjun 9p and Kőszegi Diána 1p.

Q: Where is BIBA?

A: In South Korea. However, due to the COVID 19 the school is temporary closed. Hopefully we can reopen from 2021.

Q: What is Baduk (Go)?

A: If you ended up on this website, We do hope you already know the answer to this question!

Q: How long can I stay in BIBA ?

A: As long as you want!

Q: Am I strong enough to join BIBA?

A: Any level is welcomed!

Q: But, I am only 10 kyu…

A: You are still very very welcome! 🙂

Q: Is there an age limit?

A: As long as you can put a stone on the board, you should be fine! 😉

Q: How much is BIBA?

A: The answer is here.

Q: How can I pay?

A: Cash (Euro, Dollar, Won, Forint, Yuan, we accept any currency), Bank transfer, Paypal, but at the moment we would really appreciate some bitcoins if possible. 😉

Q: Do I have to speak Korean?

A: Which language are we speaking now?

Q: Do I have to arrive at the beginning of a month?

A: No. You can arrive whenever you want!  

The Academy

Q: What do I do in the academy?

A: As far as I understood the concept, you study Baduk, however if you want more details on that, you may check out the schedule.

Q: How many students are in BIBA?

A: It may vary but it will always be between 5 and 10.

Q: How many teachers are in BIBA?

A: Most of the time at least three. Moreover, many other professional players or strong amateurs come to visit and they are always nice to play with the students! You will never find a school in Korea with such a good student/teacher ratio. 🙂

Q: How much can I expect to improve?

A: Well, it depends on how long you stay, how serious you are and how well you listen to your teachers! However, to make you feel better, I have never seen a student not improving while he was in BIBA (even if someone stays for a short period, he will definitely learn the way of studying Baduk)!

Q: What do I do in my free time?

A: There is no academy on the weekend, Blackie and Dia often plays some sports (tennis, foot-volleyball, basketball, etc…) together with the students. Sightseeing in Seoul is also possible! 

Accommodation

Q: Where do I live?

A: At the dormitory, which is Blackie’s flat as well.

Q: Do I get my own room?

A: It depends on the number of students at the time you go there; you may have a room for yourself or have to share one with another student.

Q: What can I find at the flat?

A very fast WIFI, 2 showers, a kitchen, a big TV, a big fridge, a laundry machine (!!!) many baduk books, boards, stones, a catan, nine tennis rackets and even a Blackie.

Q: What can I eat at the flat?

A: Staple foods like rice, eggs, bread, ramen, milk, etc. However, as an extra appetizer for the food at the flat, sometimes during the weekends you can even try a 9p dish. Moreover, since we are an international academy, some of our students make special meals from their countries as well.

Q: I am shy and I want to have an accommodation of my own, is it ok?

A: It is completely fine; there are many flats or Airbnb to rent around the school. However, be careful, the deposit money is usually quite expensive for a flat in Korea!

Q: I’m not shy, but super rich. Is there a nice hotel near by?

A: There are some hotels as well! 

Life in Seoul

Q: I just arrived to Incheon International airport, I am all alone, what do I do?!

A: Well, first of all, welcome to Korea! Now you have some choices, if you have arrived between 12pm and 8pm, you can directly go to the academy following this path ->

1, Buy a ticket to Yangjae station at Terminal 1 (14.000 won).
2, Before taking the bus, send a message to us (there is good wifi at the airport) so we know when you arrive to Yangjae. We will be there to pick you up.
3, Take the limousine bus at 11/A (the bus number is 6009) and get off at Yangjae station (the bus leaves in every 15-20 minutes and it should take about 1,5 hour).

If you are very early or very late, you better come to the flat, following this path ->

1, Buy a ticket to Sanbon at Terminal 1 (11.000 won).
2, Before taking the bus send a message to us (there is good wifi at the airport) so we know when you arrive to Sanbon. We will be there to pick you up.
3, Take the limousine bus at 8 (the bus number is 6009) and get off at Sanbon, last stop (the bus leaves in every 15-20 minutes and it should take about 1 hour).

 If you get lost, you can still contact Dia & Blackie.However if all of these are too complicated or too dangerous for you, you can call a pickup service named Blackie Taxi, you will have to pay a little extra fee of 50,000 won (~46$, 37€) but it will get you everywhere you need to!

Q: Is the food in Seoul expensive?

A: It depends what and where you eat but food usually is cheap, you can have a nice meal at a restaurant for 7000 Won (5/6€, 6/7$).

Q: Is it easy for a vegetarian to eat in Korea?

A: It is a bit of a challenge but some vegetarians stayed in BIBA (some even for a long time) and as far as I heard, they all survived.

Q: Is the winter cold?

A: Yes, very.

Q: Is the summer hot?

A: Yes, very.

Q: What can I visit in Seoul?

A: The answer is here

Bonus

Q: Can I go to Karaoke???

A: You will go to Karaoke.

Q: Do I have to eat Kimchi?

A: It is not really that you have to or not, you will have no choice.

Q: What is Soju?

A: You do not want to know that.

Q: Why is Blackie so black?

A: He is from Malaysia.

Q: I heard that Dia is nice, is it true?

A: People say so, but nobody has ever really checked to be honest.

Q: Is it true that the legendary ben0 was in BIBA?

A: Yes. Moreover, he even came back for a second time and he is in the online teaching as well. Oh, I just got goosebumps. 

Online Teaching

General questions

Q: What is BIBA Online Teaching?

A: The answer is here.

Q: Am I strong enough to join BIBA Online Teaching?

A: Any level is welcomed!

Q: But, I am only 10 kyu…

A: You are welcome. (and you can even get some discount)

Q: Is there an age limit?

A: As long as you can click a stone on a board, you should be fine!

Q: How much is BIBA Online Teaching?

A: The answer is here.

Q: How can I pay?

A: Bank transfer, Paypal, or bitcoins.

Q: Can I get a discount if I pay several month at once?

A: Yes, buy 6 months for the price of 5 or 3 months for the price of 2.5 months!

Q: Where can I watch the LIVE reviews for the Online Teaching?

A: You can follow us LIVE on facebook.

Q: What if I missed the LIVE review?

A: Don’t worry, you can still watch all the videos in the BIBA Online Teaching Group on Facebook.

Q: Oh my god, this system is perfect, how can I join?!

A: Just click here.