Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tfunk]

My recruiters name is listed as Kim. How should I address her/him/it? Is Kim a female/male surname or first name?

[peppermint]

I'm going to guess it's a surname, because any westerner whose had any dealings with Korea at all would anticipate that kind of confusion. Good luck figuring out the gender though.

[bobbyhanlon]

you must be very new to korea! yes, it will be the surname. 20% of the population has it, believe it or not..
on my first day of my job in seoul, someone came up to me and said 'please go and see mr. kim, he's looking for you'. not very helpful in an office of 400 people!
there korean equivalent of 'looking for a needle in a haystack' is 'looking for mr. kim in seoul'..

[tfunk]

I've lived in Korea 2 years. Recruiters have a funny way of talking. One of the recruiters I'm in contact with keeps calling me 'buddy'.

I don't know why anybody would ask to be called Kim if that isn't their first name. Oh well, lesson learned.

[sojourner1]

Everyone is named Kim, Choi or Lee.

[tfunk]

Or Park.

[southern boy]

Mr Kang is a *beep*! dont work for him

[peppermint]

These recruiters you're using don't really inspire confidence, if they can't be bothered to remember your name, and you're unclear what their name is after some communication. Since you've got a couple of years under your belt, wouldn't it be better to get a job via word of mouth or by contacting the school directly?

[Matty]

I think (not 100% sure), the best way to address him/her would be:
Kim Si 김씨
The Si being like Mr/Mrs/Ms, etc all in one.
Or if it's a letter just try and be gender neutral.

Hello Kim,
etc...

But I'm not so experienced with the problem.