Korean Job Discussion Forums

Mr.NiceGuy · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

Well, the romance of living abroad has long since expired because that part of Asia I thought allured me here has become defunct. That part I can't express. The senses know, however, the first moment I stepped foot in Hong Kong and felt the city humming and vibrating with life; the moments I went swimming in the cobalt blue ocean waters off Hong Kong's shorelines; and the times I made excursions into inner-China, passing through Shangri-la-like valleys and seeing bare-foot peasants plodding the dry, dusty roads. My senses also know the times I scurried through Tokyo, swam in the 'Inland Sea,' and eventually, landed in Korea.

But what of the romantic allure here? I could go to Haeundae and see the ships pass by. Or go to Seung-jong beach and eat naktchi. Better yet, I could sit on a mountain top at Yongdu-san Park in Busan and gaze across a jumble of ad hoc buildings and a sore-thumb of an orange bridge. Or I could tour the major metropolisises and get caught in traffic all day in Seoul.

In other words, I can't experience romance here. I don't mean human romance. I mean life's romance, that feeling of the enchanting things and of beauty, of being somewhere far away. Maybe Cheju-do has something to offer, and the natural setting of Korea's mountains and countryside as well. But that overall feeling, of being in a rich culture, of seeing the grandiloquent like other parts of Asia, has as of lately struck me like a thud to the head. I think I know why.

I find the utilitarian side of life casting a shadow over the aesthetic here in Korea. The dull and common place are killing my senses. Parts of Korea often look dirty and drab. There's not much of the faraway feeling of being somewhere, except in the open markets, or places where I really feel like I'm in Asia anymore. Nor are there the aesthetic attractions like that of Japan and Thailand. I feel like I'm in a world where machines and men have taken over and the senses become pure reason.

Well, it doesn't matter to most. But then again it does. Just think how boring back home was and try to remember what you pictured Asia like before you came here. Did you think it'd be like this? If you didn't expect it to be like this, maybe it's time to ask yourself, like I have, if you'd rather be back home. Then your caught between a rock and a hard place.

Cabbit · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

How long have you been in Korea? Im wondering if you have only seen winter Korea. If that is the case then I understand your lack of romantic feeling for Korea.
This Country (like parts of China) looks drab in the winter time. Just wait for Spring, Summer and Autumn then you will feel the romance.
Trust me on that one......!!
When we first arrived in Korea it was summer and we were living in Suwon. It was the Asia you describe. The fortress amongst the city and the hill with the giant golden Buddha are some beautiful things to see. I am not as eloquent as you and will not try to describe what it looked like, trust me that it was beautiful.
The second place we moved too after the Suwon contract was up is Youngju where we are now. Now we arrived here in the Spring and OH MY it is one beautiful country in Spring. The College I work at is literally covered with cherry blossoms in shades of white, light pink and pink (I think the pink are apple blossoms). The park area of the college is allive in Spring as there is the But Got festival and people come to get their photo's taken under these amazing trees (often married couples come in full hanbok dress).
I could go on and on but I will leave you with these two examples.
If you havent experienced a season in Korea the isnt winter....hang on as the romance you seek is on its way!!!

Cabbit

Scott in HK · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2003 9:40 pm Post subject:

Which Hong Kong did you visit...many beaches next to the cobalt blue sea have been shut down due to pollution. And they are only cobalt when the haze from the pollution lets up for awhile...otherwise they tend to reflect the gray...

Th hum you felt is the constant drone of construction and the thousands of angry murmurs as people jostle for position on the streets....and if you stay like I have you might be able to add a wheeze to the sounds you here from the asthma you have picked up...

Romanctic outlooks come from within....

elmer · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Location: cowtown

Mr.NiceGuy · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

Mr.NiceGuy · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

Cabbit · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

ummmm you never answered my question....how long have you been in Korea?

antiamerican · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

I've been here five years greenhorn. Seen the Springs come and go. And you're right. Lovely.

richinkorea · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 2:15 am Post subject:

I think the OP was the textbook definition of an expat. When it's not foreign any more it 's not foreign.

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

I think you might want to look at the fact that you have changed. Korea really does have the sublime that you are looking for, and you shouldn't compare. The biggest sublime in Korea are the people and that is where you should do some exploring. Maybe find out the historical, economical, sociological significance of a mountain or a great vista and see, smell, taste, and feel it in Korean shoes, and in your own. Travel the Korean mind and you will find worlds unknown.

matko · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: in a world of hurt!

gajackson1 · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2003 2:53 am Post subject:

Hmmm . . . .

pretty much everything above is good, solid advice, but you have to decide: do you want to treat the symptoms, or the illness itself???

THAT needs to be your starting point!

In any case, life's romance in Korea. As a pretty romantic sort myself, i can offer suggestions:

a motorcycle, the trains to small places on the map in the middle of BFE, Koje-do, Buddhist temple retreats & hiking the SMALLER mountains, drinking with the locals and DEFINITELY exploring with Koreans!!!

Remember, this whole country got shellacked 50 years ago - the rebuilding process has led to some of the situations you describe. Get out of the mixer, and into the MIX!!!

Been there, done that . . . (and 6 years in)

G.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Well, of you talking about your carefree days swimming and walking and exploring Asia.. you were probably.. well... on a VACATION!

Now you are I'm going to assume you are WORKING.. so of course anytime you are just working... there is a complacency.. a stale complacency..

I have traveled around Korea when I wasn't working.. and I've hungout in Seoul and had a GREAT TIME! If you aren't working, you can wander around, go swimming in the oceans (if its summer), and wander down roads, hiking trails, get drunk on soju with korean girls, hike to temples, and all the rest.. but.. anyhow.. its a thawing out time from probably months and months of perpetual routine work.. so of course its a different feeling from vacation..

Ultimately it sounds like you need a vacation.. or more travel experiences.. not really that Korea can no longer capture your romantic carefree nature and its time to hit the road for greener pastures..

As far as did I imagine Korea to be what I thought Asia was going to be like.. ahmm.. yes and no.. it is and it isn't.. but Korea is far more the image I had in mind that Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc..

But.. to be honest.. nowhere felt more like Asia than Vietnam.. conical hats, monsoon rains, etc.. that was probably the one place that just captured me and said 'this is the Asia of my imagination'...

However Korea is pretty in-your-face Asian as well..

Sounds like you are just dreaming of carefree non-working days.. like the lost days of summer youth..

Mr.NiceGuy · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003