Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bassexpander]

Jealousy.

Here:

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/06/123_46598.html

.... although I agree with comments that the debt load they are mentioning isn't that high. The problem is the clash within Korean society which dictates you should have XXXXXX million won before you even consider marrying. Even if that's 10 years down the road for these guys, they still need a job to afford the lifestyle their friends are enjoying.

Also, housing costs are insane. Imagine the giant mountain in front of the average Korean young person if they don't have parents rich enough to help them purchase a new home for marriage (or even part of it) because they are also in debt? At the same time, they know they will have to provide for said parents down the road.

This seems to breed a lot of jealousy, hatred, and resentment of English teachers -- especially when the news media feeds these kids with story after negative story about us. We're depicted as rich playboys who only work here because we speak English (something they have to work very hard at to learn).

I don't encounter the negative anti-western Koreans much. Most of what I see comes from the media and netizens. It's out there, though, and it's all about jealousy.

[some waygug-in]

I don't know if anyone thinks I'm a "rich playboy" by any means, but I have met quite a few angry Koreans.

From what I've been able to gather, they seem most upset at HAVING TO learn English while many so called teachers show no interest in learning Korean.

I've found that showing them that I am trying to learn their language does help me get past a lot of negativity.


I don't pretend that it will solve all problems, but it does help.

All those fierce stares from adjossis seem to melt with a slight nod from me and an "anyong ha shim ni kka".

[oldfatfarang]

Welcome to the real world Korea. You study - and you pay. I wish my daughter had only a $4,800 debt. That's laughable. I'm sure there are other 'playboy' teachers on here who agree with me.

Heck. I started working part-time at 14 - and full-time at 15. I paid for my college education later (as an adult). Not an unusual story in a western country where parents do not fund their kids higher education.

And, perhaps if Korean students stopped playing around in their English classes - they could go abroad to get employment. My daughter moves to another country every uni. vacation to get work (to pay for her studies).

And young people face insurmountable debt to become home owners in every country I've lived and worked in - what's new about this?
Young couples have to work - save - then buy.

Just a bunch of spoilt cry-babies.

[polonius]

Heavy debt, HAHAHA

This from Canada

[Fishead soup]

I seriously don't know why they put up with those overpriced tacky Wedding hall deals.

[ekul]

For such a small amount of loan you could work a part time job while job seeking and pay most of it off. I worked for 3 months with 50-60hour weeks in minimum wage jobs trying to get enough money to set up in Japan after graduating. Luckily I found out about Korea

[Steelrails]

Yeah there is def. hardcore jealousy here. For starters the average English teacher's pay is above their Korean colleagues at a Public School. Throw in the free rent and 'Welcome to Korea' shopping spree that comes along with it and then you see the super jealousy. Now add the (authentic) Tommy Hilfiger or Calvin Klein T-shirt that to you is nothing, but to them is W70,000 and you get more jealousy. Add in the drunken sailor lifestyle and spending habits, and you get more envy. Plus, many people here aren't certified teachers or have degrees in English/Education- and there is a big source of the poor professional image/reaction we sometimes get. Unfair yes, but understandable.

People aren't perfect, and I don't expect them to be. I am not perfect. Of course many people on this board seem to expect perfection out of Korea and every Korean person.

[polonius]

[Otherside]