Korean Job Discussion Forums

Czarjorge · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject: Being Overweight in Korea

So, I'm a fatty. And I'm ready to start looking for a job in Korea. In reading this forum and doing some general research, I'm concerned. It sounds like Korea is very image conscious, but coming from the U.S I find it hard to believe it could be as bad as it is here. (I am a good dresser. Surprised

)

Should I be concerned? It's not like I'm morbidly obese or anything, but I'm definitely a fatty. I'm not looking forward to a ridiculously long flight in coach, I can tell you that.

What is general is the Korean view of this?

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

I'm a large guy, when I first arrived I was 158kg, now I'm a modest 130kg. Koreans are generally pig ignorant and rude when it comes to overweight people. Getting a job isn't that difficult, putting up with the comments of pig or people telling you every day that you should diet is a bigger pain in the butt. Smile

The Great Toad · Joined: 12 Jun 2004

Well My Rus King I must say as a fellow Noble on occasion I have been hurt by some of the peasant pleasantries I found there. I say pleasantry as it is fine and cordial to greet a fellow Korean saying- You look fat!

And the children seem to have no problem in calling each other fat, a monkey, Japaneses (to dark) or other such normally in the west offensive and hurtful comments.

I hope you have a yick skin and do NOT place your self esteem in your physical state- if you do then you will become angry/sad/ discouraged in K-land.

Mmm also you still can find lots of friends here as I still am astounded and of the fat K-guy teachers who had way hot long term k-girlfriends but I guess they had a relationship based on other things - which is so unCali...

Anyhow, they will call you fat and in some for-profit businesses they may not hire you - unless you can come in person and charm them... You may want to go the EPIK/public school route depending on ur teachering credentials...

seoulsucker · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 8:51 pm Post subject: Re: Being Overweight in Korea

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

They are pretty much not into fat people here. It may keep you from being admitted to "certain" clubs. Crying or Very sad

Someone on here talked about how her boss who was also a woman, was always telling her to lose weight. They can be rude and crude about it.

Kimchi Cha Cha · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: was Suncheon, now Brisbane

It can be bad. Koreans can be very rude to anyone who doesn't feel their ideal of a healthy body. I grew up thin all my life and was always fairly active but over the last few years as I've become less active and as my metabolism has slowed, I've put on a bit of weight.

I'm a 5'8" guy and currently weigh about 78 kilos (171 lbs.), was up to 83kg (180 lbs.) for a while, which is a little over the ideal weight for someone my height, but nothing much really coming from the West. Yet, here in Korea you'd think I'm morbidly obese the way some people carry on, especially but not only unfortunately, kids. In the West I'm a normal guy with a bit of a belly yet here I'm noticeably overweight. It does make you become a bit more body-conscious and I'm starting to get more active not because I care what others think but because I prefer being lean.

The downside is that there will be some people who will make comments either directly to you or behind your back. Yet, try not to let that get you down as the people who do it are generally insecure cretins themselves.

A lot of Koreans seem to a smugness as Koreans generally are slimmer than Westerners. What they don't realise however is that many Westerners actually pity some of them who are basically starving themselves to achieve this. As Korea develops a Western lifestyle being more sedentary and eating more fatty foods, they starting to get bigger (this is noticable in people under 25). What is sad is to counter this many young women and girls, and some guys are under nourishing themselves to keep thin.

I'd just say, be aware that your weight may be an issue for some people but don't let it deter you from coming here.

Czarjorge

As far as taking a good dis, I went to junior high in the U.S., enough said.

As for credentials I have an actual English degree, and some teaching/training experience at a variety of jobs. I'm sure I'll get a job, I just want to get a good one.

And good one youse for your snappy replies.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Hell, most of us are considered fat here. Koreans just have a stereotype that fat is more common in our countries. They kind of look down on it, but it doesn't affect how they judge you too badly.

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

You probably will get lectured about your weight. I was (and still am to some degree). Many people on here have lost weight because they liked Korean food so much. Hopefully that will be true for you.

Take the comments with a grain of salt and don't let it get to you

Czarjorge · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject:

I wonder if it will matter that I can drink anyone under the table.

Korea's supposedly a country of people who like their acohol, right?

I'm on my fourteenth beer right now, and I can still type, that's saying something.

shaunew · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Location: Calgary

In 2004 when I went to Korea I was a bit big,but All I ate was korean food and walked alot, dropped the pounds and looked good. I got married and gained some back. I came back to Canada in oct 27th 2006 and from there until now gained alot of weight. I guess the food adn my job I had to eat out alot with clients so I might have packed on 20 to 30 pounds. But I'm coming back to Korea in 1 week and been runnning and trying to lose the pounds. I guess I will just take the comments until I fit into koreans ideal body. I guess themost will come from my mother in law. Confused

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

I'm 6"1' and hover beteween 95-100kg. i'm overweight though i wouldn't consider myself obese.
Strangely, I can count on my hands the number of times (in 4 years) anyone has said something to me about my weight.

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

uberscheisse · Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Location: japan is better than korea.

alot of koreans will state fact, without consideration of our feelings about being told the truth about weight, grey hair or whatever.

i've got a bit of a belly. kids point at it and say "oh teacher, fat!" and i don't think it's much of an insult. just a statement of what's around.

it happens with many things. you come into the class with orange juice, and they say "oh teacher, orange juice!"

or if it's some recognizable product, like, say, binch crackers, they'll say the name of the product, and maybe the commercial jingle/slogan as well.

a new student joins the class and they say "oh teacher... new student!"

as well, when i first joined my gym, they did a health test and the trainer said "you have a lot of fat." i don't really have that much, but he was saying it as if addressing my issues with exercise and body maintenance. issues of western tact never occured to the guy. i found that a little refreshing. i wish i could talk to my overweight sister like that to try and encourage her to exercise more. "sister, you're fat! do something about it!"

most comments are innocent and not based in malice. if it's an ajumma or a boss, it's probably them just finding something to nag you about. if it wasn't your weight, it'd be that tie you wear on tuesdays, your haircut, how bad your farts smell...

with kids it's just something that comes out of their mouth. with adults it seems to be a need to point out someone else's faults to maintain their place in the confucian ladder with you as lesser.

pay none of it any mind.

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

You also have to remember that Koreans lack the vocabulary to express them selves in a non rude manner.