Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yaitsaj]

Hi, This is my first time posting, but i've actually followed the boards used have done a bit of research on my own.

From what i've read, you guys don't seem to like the wonderland schools because you'll almost always be teaching Kindergarten classes? Also, something about not always getting paid on time?

My concern is I've seen you guys talk badly about wonderlands in different parts of Korea, but never in Seoul. I think I got a job offer (He said he wanted me and was going to send the contract over soon) for the one in Seoul, and i'm considering taking it. I brought up all of my concerns and the interviewer assured me that they're always paid on time (except for once when they got a new accountant it was a couple days late). Keep in mind that I do want to teach Kindergarten, and I actually don't mind going in an hour early, un-paid, to get everything ready and talk about daily lesson plans.

Also, when I asked about taxes, he said it was about 9%. That seems a bit high, but after doing a little bit of research i've discovered that its apparently anywhere between 5-10%, that is not including the pension (Which I apparently get back at the end when I eventually leave).

How much do you guys pay monthly for taxes? How easy it to get my pension back? Anyone have experience with wonderland in Seoul?

Thanks,
-Alex

[Big Mac]

As a chain, Wonderland probably has the worst reputation of any of the private academies in Korea. Most of us who have been here and know its reputation would never even consider working there.

There was actually a book written about a nightmare situation at a Wonderland called "Prisoner of Wonderland."

I wouldn't work there. There are so many other options, why would you take the risk?

Taxes are in the 2 per cent range, but it depends on your salary. If you go to the National Tax Service English site they have a "Monthly Witholding Tax" link where you can check to see the exact amount you should be paying for your salary.

Pension is 4.5 per cent of your monthly salary and that amount is matched by your employer. You get all that money back when you leave Korea.

Medical insurance is about 2.5 per cent of your monthly salary and that is also matched by your employer.

[Otherside]

[RufusW]

Some teachers I met here in Busan really liked their job at Wonderland.

Bear in mind it's a franchise so the quality will vary greatly between them and there should be some good places. If you can talk to someone who's worked / working there then that should reassure you, but otherwise, as above...

[CentralCali]

Until the franchise headquarters get involved in actually monitoring and directing the local franchises, all the franchises need to accept the blame and consequences (lack of new employees) for the rogue outfits. Pimping the name to a local outfit and just taking money for it doesn't cut it anymore.

[dean_burrito]

I sometimes miss teaching kindergarten. The kids are little sponges and pick things up quite fast. I worked at a Wonderland and treated fairly. The hours were a bit long but some of the classes were just cooking, sword fighting, yoga, or something of the sort. We also went on one field trip per month.
I had fun but keep in mind the warning above (and soon to be below) aren't unfounded. Always ask to talk to a current teacher before accepting a job here. This advice goes double for hagwons and triple for Wonderlands.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

If a franchise restaurant had 100 franchises in their chain, how many of them would regularly have to give people food poisoning before people would stop eating there? 5%? 10%? 50%? If customers at 80% of ABC Restaurant chains across the country often got food poisoning and you're friend said 'Oh, but I've never heard of ABC in Seoul having unsafe food; let's give it a try?' would you still want to go? Obviously there'd be something very wrong with how HQ manages quality countrol and your friend would be an idiot for even thinking of wanting to eat there. The same goes for prospective teachers who even consider working for Wonderland.

[Yaitsaj]

Thanks for the responses guys. Are all of you paying around 2% for income tax?

The salary (because its apparently a factor) was 2.25 mil/monthly.

[Otherside]

Based on that salary, your tax should be W30730/month or 1.36%