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Good Investments in Korea?
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thebearofbundang



Joined: 02 Sep 2012
Location: Bundang

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 8:03 pm    Post subject: Good Investments in Korea? Reply with quote

My wife and I have come into a nice amount of money and are looking to invest it within Korea, but outside of the stock market (we have money tied up in it already). Basically, wondering if anyone has any opinions on the pros/cons of the following ideas:

- Open a restaurant, either a pub or a franchise chain (i.e. subway)
- Open an English academy (I feel like there is so much competition in this field though that it would be tough to make money)
- Create a recruiting company for finding NET's.

Anyone with any experience (success or failure) in any of these? Any other ideas?

I should add, the money is around 180,000,000Won and was given to us from my wifes father who just sold his company (which I did/kinda still do) work for.
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Drew10



Joined: 31 Mar 2009

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would avoid franchises, A friend and I checked into opening a Dunkin Donuts franchise, we estimated the initial cost to be somewhere in the 200 million won range. You can easily open your own restaurant/pub for much much cheaper than that.

I own a small pub so I'd be happy to answer any questions related to that.
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oppa637



Joined: 05 Dec 2011

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would say look into franchises because brand image isn't something easy to make. It also depends on if you've ran your own business before, how much time you plan to invest in such things, and if you have something as a skill or item of want to sell. Otherwise, just buy property I'd say.
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FDNY



Joined: 27 Sep 2010

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:15 pm    Post subject: Re: Good Investments in Korea? Reply with quote

thebearofbundang wrote:

- Open a restaurant, either a pub or a franchise chain (i.e. subway)
- Open an English academy (I feel like there is so much competition in this field though that it would be tough to make money)
- Create a recruiting company for finding NET's.


Any business in Korea has a very small chance of still being alive after 12-24 months. Therefore, statistically, any of the three listed above would all be good ways of blowing your savings.

A successful English Academy will cost you lots. Parents want polish, quality and style. That costs $$$. Therefore, I would say you need at least 150,000,000-200,000,000 for that.

A good restaurant will be more. You're looking at 200,000,000 and above. For example Craftworks put out 400,000,000 to get off the ground.

The recruiting copmpany would be mainly online. So, it would be cheaper, but you have LOTS of competition. Good luck.
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Jimskins



Joined: 07 Nov 2007

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Obviously NOT property. The Korean housing market is going to hell and the consensus is it will continue to do so for at least the next 25 years. Think Japan, part 2.
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joesp



Joined: 16 Jan 2008

PostPosted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 2:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd ask a financial specialist. No idea why you're asking here.

Personally, I'd just leave it in Korean won till it drops below 1,000 then do a bet against the Euro (hedged, of course).

But, for a sum like that, I'd trust a professional and diversify your portfolio, avoid taking risks, and hedge your bets. The key is not to make money, it's to avoid losing your shirt.

Basically, you're asking the wrong people the wrong questions.
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newb



Joined: 27 Aug 2012
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 4:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Take a long vacation and look around.
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Dodge7



Joined: 21 Oct 2011

PostPosted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 4:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

joesp wrote:
I'd ask a financial specialist. No idea why you're asking here.

Personally, I'd just leave it in Korean won till it drops below 1,000 then do a bet against the Euro (hedged, of course).

But, for a sum like that, I'd trust a professional and diversify your portfolio, avoid taking risks, and hedge your bets. The key is not to make money, it's to avoid losing your shirt.

Basically, you're asking the wrong people the wrong questions.

If the key is not to make money, why would bother investing at all? In anything?
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rollo



Joined: 10 May 2006
Location: China

PostPosted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 6:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

risky. Daves is really not the place to go for this advice.

English academy is very expensive, think buses insurance property liscense getting teachers s, the , far more than 300 million.

Look at franchises see what they offer as far as suport and training.

Talk to an expert.
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bucheon bum



Joined: 16 Jan 2003

PostPosted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 7:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jimskins wrote:
Obviously NOT property. The Korean housing market is going to hell and the consensus is it will continue to do so for at least the next 25 years. Think Japan, part 2.


On the other hand, getting a rental property that produces a steady monthly income isn't bad. Just don't buy it with the assumption you'll get any equity.
That is also assuming real estate prices aren't in a free fall (if they are, then yes, avoid real estate at all costs for now).

Out of those 3 ideas, the franchise one sounds the best, although you might consider a non-restaurant franchise. The food industry is one of the most competitive out there (along with hogwons and recruiting).

Honestly, they all sound like bad ideas UNLESS you have a lot of experience in running a hogwon or restaurant.
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sml7285



Joined: 26 Apr 2012

PostPosted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Start a United Hotcakes Preferred franchise. I hear they sell like... well, hotcakes.
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PRagic



Joined: 24 Feb 2006

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 1:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Buy an annuity. Research them, maybe get some professional input, then pick one. Good way to go for a secure, longer term investment.

You could also pick up some indexed funds or other investment vehicle that provides broad exposure with minimized risk.

I wouldnt touch real-estate in Korea with a ten foot pole now, especially in the larger cities.

The problem with a windfall is that too many people piss it away on something they normally wouldn't do. You won't miss it as you didnt have it before. Lock it in, forget about it, and let it work for you for 20 years. You'll be glad you did. Buy a nice used car (new cars are for suckers) or take a trip with the better half to give yourself a reward.
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cdninkorea



Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 6:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've heard that in Korea, buying a used car is for suckers. There's so much fraud in the used car industry here, and because dealers barely let you test drive a car, let alone taking it to a mechanic to check it out for you, there's not much you can do to prevent being sold a lemon.

I have no advice regarding investments. A former student of mine (middle-aged, male) told me he invested in a love motel, calling it a "sure thing" (with a big sleazy grin on his face and the thumbs up to go with it). Laughing
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PRagic



Joined: 24 Feb 2006

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 7:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Depends on how old it is and where you buy it.
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JustinC



Joined: 10 Mar 2012
Location: We Are The World!

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dave's isn't the best place for advice on investing. Try http://www.fool.co.uk/ and also include in your question;

How much you have in the stock market
House value
Debts
Age of kids (if applicable)
Your target retirement date and retirement income
Anything else you think could be helpful.

Lots of skilled private investors and professional financial advisers (I've been both except the skilled part) on there to give you some pointers.
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