Korean Job Discussion Forums

kentucker4 · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Location: Georgia

I am thinking about taking a break from my wife...mutual agreement....and quiting my newspaper job in a few more months and teaching English in Tokyo or Korea. Small town newspaper = hell. Seriously, in my limited experience, Korean hagwons have nothing on this profession.

I'm not too concerned about saving up money, just to have enough to live a comfortable lifestyle including going out on the weekends. If you were in my position, which would you choose?

bogey666 · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Location: Korea, the ass free zone

kentucker4 · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Location: Georgia

bogey666 · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Location: Korea, the ass free zone

madoka · Joined: 27 Mar 2008

Ruraljuror · Joined: 08 Dec 2007

Aren't you scared of running into your high-level gangster father in law if you come to Korea? Or bumping into Bigfoot again? Or UFO's?

I'd say Korea is just too dangerous for you right now.

Go to Japan, but definitely keep us posted on your adventures there, as I'm sure you will become a massive pop star, hang out with ninja's, and meet Godzilla once after a night of drinking.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Do a year in Japan, save up all the yen you can, then make a transition to Korea somewhere down the line when the won straightens out.

If you have a degree in jounralism, you might want to angle for editor jobs at banks or financial houses in Seoul. The pay has gone down a bit, but they are still worth a shot and at least in line with your career track.

If you have your MA, try for a university job in Korea or Japan. They're tougher to get in Japan, but I'd suggest trying there first. Forget bigger city universities in both countries if you don't have the MA. This is a generalization, of course, but tends to ring true. If you're just getting away from the wife, who cares where you are?

crusher_of_heads · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

You have no wife.

You have no life.

You are sad.

Trevor · Joined: 16 Nov 2005

I spent a little time looking at the Japan discussion forum. They all say uni's in Japan look for publications, Japanese fluency and Japanese experience. It's possible, though. Lots of wet blankets on that forum, so you might want to strike out on your own.

For a new guy looking for a quick year off from his Korean-mafia-princess wife (heh-heh) I would definitely suggest a public school gig as your safest bet. The public school jobs generally receive the highest average satisfaction rate and they are easy to get.

jadarite · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 4:13 pm Post subject:

If you go to Japan, you'll probably spend more. If you work in Korea, save up, then when the exchange rate becomes more favorable you can transfer the money. The food is better in Korea, with the exception of a few dishes and green tea.

I_Am_The_Kiwi · Joined: 10 Jun 2008

Have you been to Japan before?

Id say GO TO JAPAN. Its NOT as expensive as people make it out to be, and once your earning YEN youll be fine. Also with the Japanese VISA you can teach privates on the side LEGALLY.

Japan has SOOO much more to offer than Korea. Youve already done Korea - mix it up a little!

Pooty · Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Location: Ela stin agalia mou

loose_ends · Joined: 23 Jul 2007

greekvvedge · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Location: Apkujeong

Japan Japan JAPAN.

You don't have to do Tokyo, really. Anyways, going there isn't really much more expensive than Gangnam (I'm willing to bet its about the same nowadays- I mean, Hynduai apartments in Gangnam is 3-5 million dollars).

You can go to Hokkaido, or Kobe, Osaka, etc. Cheaper and still offers more than Korea. Do it.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I'd suggest OSAKA.

Tokyo is very spread out, takes forever to get places, and yes taxis and subways are expensive if you go out a lot.

Osaka is significantly more condensed and the nightlife area is crazy and fun much like Seoul. But you are dealing with Japanese people, who are very pleasant to be around.