Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bejarano-korea]

Escape the dole and be a Seoul singer
Last Updated: 1:28pm BST 23/05/2008

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/05/23/cmjseoul123.xml


Struggling artist or young musician with a big idea but no cash? Thirty years ago, 'signing on' was your only option. But now there's all of the English-starved Far East, writes Michael Fitzpatrick

In 1977, I hope I go to heaven, 'Cos I been too long on the dole, and I can't work at all.'' Lines by the immortal Clash, penned in a year when there wasn't much work for anyone, quite apart from angry young men in torn trousers. But for aspiring actors (such as those depicted in the cult film Withnail and I), musos, struggling writers and artists, there was at least the promise of the giro and your rent paid as long as you "signed on''.

The dole may have been heartbreaking for many, but for some it was the catalyst for a huge output in young creative energy - the first fanzines with their edgy new graphics, superlative rock and pop tunes, new fashion and punchier writing all characterised the era's burst of creative energy.

Ironically, Punk liberated thousands of seemingly dole-doomed youngsters in a failing economy. A nihilistic burst of anguish soon turned into thousands of new bands practising in garages, artists and fashionistas kept up all night toying with a new look and networking while partying on the dole. The Clash used their dole days to practise and write songs propelling them to stardom and careers as full-time rock geniuses.

Likewise, without the dole there would have been no bands like the Smiths and no Morrissey, their lead singer. He famously left a safe job in the Inland Revenue to "concentrate on writing, reading, and listening to music''. Ditto countless others. But there is emerging a new crucible for aspiring artists and those with a creative bent - the Far East. Arts graduates with colossal debts to repay are increasingly turning to soft jobs abroad calling for little experience or even qualifications, offering good pay, an exotic setting and, very importantly, few hours. Hours that can be spent on perfecting artistic endeavours and not flipping burgers for the minimum wage.

Irishman Mark Baker, 25, a Dylanesque singer-songwriter, left his homeland almost three years ago after hearing of a buzzing music scene in Seoul. Adding to the lure was the promise of a well-paid teaching job to support himself while developing his musical talents.

This lead to the forming of his critically acclaimed band St John the Gambler (www.myspace.com/saintjohnthegambler), an album in the making, and a sizeable following worldwide. "People come here for one good reason - money! The pay here is very good, and a lot of us are freed to pursue our passions,'' says Baker.

"The working hours can be short if you choose them to be. The rent is low in comparison to Dublin, London, etc - the cost of living is also lower. Plus you don't need any experience (teaching) to get a job here. Another great thing is normally an agency puts it altogether for you.'' Japan and South Korea, it seems, are now important nurseries for young native-English-speaking talent as word gets around that not only are Seoul and Tokyo exciting, stimulating places to live but there are jobs galore in the massive English teaching industries to support the struggling young artist.

Both Asian cities are being transformed by this influx of mostly Anglo-Saxon youngsters, say locals. "This past few years Tokyo has drastically changed. We have more international people... young foreigners ride bikes and live in Harajuku, Nakameguro - all the cool areas creative people live. I feel like I am in New York,'' says Yuki Tsukamoto, who helps scout some of these young visitors to model for Japan's top men's fashion label, N Hoolywood.

Thomas Errington, 26, from Leeds, was one of the lucky faces picked off the Tokyo streets recently. Employed originally by the Nova English school that famously sacked all of its teachers, (so, yes, there are downsides), the offer of an afternoon's modelling for � 125 came in the nick of time. But despite his travails with Nova, Errington has no regrets taking a snap decision to come to Japan 18 months ago when he was stuck in a dead-end job in Nottingham and struggling to pay of his student loan.

"There are so many opportunities for foreigners in Japan. The only limiting factor being language skills for some particular roles. But this is not always the case if you have particular relevant experience, or special skills.'' Others, such as Mike Smith, who studied with Errington at university and also teaches in Japan, find time to paint and exhibit in Tokyo.

"I would recommend to anyone to come to Japan. Whatever you are interested in, it is no doubt represented in some way, shape or form here. The combination of old and new culture is very striking, and a great fun to be part of,'' says Errington. Tokyo has become such a beacon for adventurous, creative spirits that filmmaker Daneeta Loretta Saft decided to make a documentary about them. Tokyo Cowboys tells the story of Westerners' attempts to live and work in Japan.

From English teachers to wannabe rock stars, her film examines who makes the journey to the other side of the planet and why. "In terms of success, it seems easier to be successful in Tokyo. You have the advantage of being foreign. And you can use the fact that the Japanese are enamoured with foreign things to push yourself. Also, you are not weighted down with expectations from your family and friends,'' she says. The British film Withnail and I celebrated and shared the pain of life on the dole for two out-of-work-actors in Camden in 1969.

Both living for their weekly giro, soon spent on "pairs of pints'' and whisky chasers down the pub, it is unlikely the same characters, played by Paul McGann and Richard E Grant, could be found today. Society has never liked "young spongers'', whatever their artistic promise - today it is even tougher for aspiring creatives. Rebranding, in a nice Orwellian touch, the ministry dealing with unemployment as the Department for Work and Pensions - previously the Department of Health and Social Security - signals the Government's new harder attitude to the young idling on the dole, or rather, Jobseekers' Allowance.

Those 18 to 24-year-olds who have been claiming Jobseekers' Allowance for six months or more must take part in the "New Deal for young people''. Essentially, they are given 16 weeks to find work through the help of a "personal adviser''. No work after that and they move to "options'', which in Whitehall double-speak actually means no options. "Placements'' lasting four weeks for those unemployed for a year or more are also arranged, but ultimately the long-term unemployed may be forced to work for free in return for their benefits until they find paid employment.

Says Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell: "We will make it clear that we expect all jobseekers who join this programme to do at least four weeks of full-time work or work-related activity unless they find work within 12 months. This will be a minimum'' The new get-tough policies are part of what the Government refers to as a "new sanctions regime for those who try to play the system'' as it tries to cut down on the number of those claiming long-term incapacity benefit.

"These new sanctions will tackle those people who can work and choose not to,'' says Purnell. Having your rent paid, as previously welcomed by all Withnal and I-ites, is also another blow to the poor, wannabe artist's independence and struggle to survive. Those aged under 25, single and not living with any dependants can now get only the Local Housing Allowance shared room rate.

The new policies are aimed at filling the overabundance of vacancies in Britain's new thriving service economy. Job vacancy surveys estimate an average of 678,500 unfilled vacancies in the three months to February, up 16,000 on the quarter, and up 59,700 on the year. It seems to be working. Numbers of people on the key unemployment benefits have fallen for 17 consecutive months. According to the ministry, the claimant count was 793,500 in February, down 28,000 on the month and 126,500 on the year.

Unfortunately for the creatively-minded, the jobs available often fall into the call centre or sales types - employment considered the most soul-deadening by any artistic free spirit. With a government keen to keep the service economy supplied even with reluctant recruits, anyone thinking of using unemployment as time to pursue anything other than just job-seeking is going to find it very different from the days of Love on the Dole - or even 1960s decadence - of previous eras.

"Camberwell carrots'', pairs of pints and trips to the Lake District, all funded by the state, are beyond the reach of any contemporary Withnail or I - who are more likely these days to be retraining as call-centre operatives.

[bejarano-korea]

My old man showed me the article and he thinks the journalism is flawed for such a established publication and I agree with him. So Bejarano-Korea Sr wants to ask the sages on Daves - Has Michael Fitzpatrick written a pile of crap glorifying teaching in Korea/Japan?

No mention of nutcase bosses, being ripped off etc.

[Gwangjuboy]

[Stevie_B]

[Scotticus]

[Stevie_B]

[the ireland]

[bejarano-korea]

[bejarano-korea]

[caniff]

All of the non-working able-bodied people in the world who don't feel like getting a job to support themselves (and often their kids) should all be gathered together and made to work on some huge project.

Like a pyramid ten times larger that the ones in Giza. Or anything. They should also have access to the internet during their off-time, but only so they can send their resumes to prospective employers.

Just an idea.

[bejarano-korea]

[Stevie_B]

[bejarano-korea]

[Cheonmunka]

Well, it's not a bad idea to come to Korea.
Even I'm a public school teacher where I'm from and Korea offered much better opportunities ie: savings money.
I should do a homegoing soon, but I can imagine leaving miserable England and coming here would be something very good for a young person.

[nicholas_chiasson]

the best job where I am from is HVAC installation. There is a reason I went to Korea. I am ALSO afraid of fans.