Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eIn07912]

All day. Every day. There it is. Like an ever present ringing in the ear from a recent explosion of a wheelbarrow full of cats.

It's so bad. I guess he's a music major at the University. He attempts these love ballads and pop songs that are so beyond his range it's painful to listen to. He's at least 2 doors down, but that wailing voice just lingers through everyone's walls.

I had enough one night. At about 1 a.m. I knocked on his door for a solid 5 minutes before he decided to open up. I just pointed to my watch, shook my head, and kept the look of doom on my face as a warning. The next day, another neighbor did the same thing, following my lead I guess. It worked. We didn't hear from him for months. But lately, it's picking up again.

If the guy really wants to be a singer, I don't want to stand in front of his dreams. He should practice. Dear god does he need the practice. But there has to be a point where it ends. He can't just sing at the top of his lungs all day every day. There's another neighbor between he and I that practices his guitar every day. He's really good. I've talked to other people in the building and we quite enjoy hearing him play. But this Big Bang wannabe guy has got to stop.

Help. Please. I fear I may do something drastic. I thought I might make a sign with just a cartoon guy singing very poorly and other people standing around him holding their ears, and taping them up all over the hallway. I thought about even calling the police to report a noise complaint. But I don't speak Korean well enough to communicate that. I was watching a movie one night, had the volume all the way up, and I could still hear his bellowing. I blared at the top of my lungs "Shut Up!" That helped, but just a day or two later, he was back at it. Obviously nothing is working.

What would you do?

[morrisonhotel]

How about record it and send him a cd of his caterwauling? He may take the hint.

[roknroll]

Fortunately, I haven't had the early am hours howling so I feel for you. Don't think it has ever been passed 11ish, but man it's aggravating. Had to control myself from shouting STFU! It's times like these that I wished I'd studied more Korean. You should probably get a translator and either have it written down or have the translator make some calls for you. Perhaps you could write a note about the problem, have a co-teacher/worker translate it in Korean and give it to the vocally challenged tenant. Could possibly be more effective if an older K male presents it to him. On the note, it could be made clear that if he doesn't comply with the request then it'll be forwarded to the building manager/owner. I'm sure there must be some type of noise by-law for after 11ish. Whatever the case, a threat to call the cops should be included. Whether you present it to him first, or the manager/owner depends on your discretion. If it worked before, it may again.

Maybe you should include the name and number of a vocal coach...lol

[JongnoGuru]

There is a young woman who lives across the street from me and has recently taken up the bassoon. She practises in the evening and then late, late at night. ALWAYS outdoors. She can only play scales yet, and not very well.

wahh, wahh, wahh, wahh, wahh, wahh, wahh, wahh, wahh

wahh, wahh, wahh, wahh, wahh, wahh, wahh, wahh, wahh

[Richard Krainium]

Jogno's post reminds me of my own TRUE STORY!

I had a neighbor who used to come home at all hours of the morning, usually around 2 or 3 am and start hawking up loogies. This was your classic villa, two small studios on the bottom floor, thin walled apartment. And I mean this guy was REALLY HAWKING UP LOOGIES!

HAAAWWWWK! HAAAWWWWK! HAAAWWWWK! HAAAWWWWK!

HAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWKKKKKKK!

HAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWKKKKKKK!

HAAAWWWWK! HAAAWWWWK! HAAAWWWWK! HAAAWWWWK!

Count yer blessings. I finally asked the guy to stop. And he did, sort of.

haawwk! hawk! haawwk! hawk! - pause - haawwk! hawk! haawwk! hawk!

Glad I only lived there 8 more months!

[bobranger]

I feel bad for my neighbors. My wife is a violinist (fortunately concert quality but who the hell wants to hear violin at 1A.M.) and my son is a pianists (bad sense of timing), who plays the same damn song over and over again. We actually bought a corner apartment and the apartment below us so we could choose our renters. I take sleeping pills during the week. I can imagine what our neighbors think. No one has complained but that doesn't mean the aren't annoyed. The alternative is my wife and I arguing about when to limit their playing time (I gave up). Oh yeah, the money I spent on these apartments could send my diligent daughter through a good private university. Music to my comatose ears but completely off-key in a financial sense.

[PRagic]

Just saw a cool TV report about an ignorant neighbor 'Revenge CD' loaded with sounds of dogs barking, babies crying, drills drilling, hammers pounding...you name it. No joke, and supposedly, they work. Don't know where you can pick one of these CDs, but if you can find one, give it a shot.

This is an increasingly hot topic in Korea given the high percentage of people living in overpriced, poorly constructed apartments. Another suggestion my wife saw on an entire blog dedicated to silencing pain in the arse ignorant neighbors was to get the woman of the house to stand in front of the offending party's door and scream bloody murder until the cops come. Everyone in the tower will then know what an ignoramous the neighbor is and they will either shut up or move.

Good luck. You're not alone in this boat, OP. My personal favorite, when we were confronted with an all-day-long-every-day pianist wannabe was AC/DC Back in Black cranked on a box with speakers pointed directly at the wall. Seemed to do the trick. Ear plugs recommended for extensive revenge playing, though.

[I'm no Picasso]

The local elementary school has the kids learning "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on the recorder for a test next week. All of their mothers make them practice outside. Outside my window, that is.

[Scamps]

I would write this guy a letter (ask a Korean to translate).
Just tell him in the kindest way that you (and your neighbors) are fed up with his singing at all hours.
Something simple like "Dear neighbor, We all think it's great you're so ambitious about becoming a professional singer. However, this is our home, not a recording studio or norebang. The walls are very thin and we all need to have respect for one another. We don't want to discourage you from singing but if you must sing at home please don't sing past (whatever time you think is appropriate) otherwise please find another location that would welcome singing at all hours. Thank you and carry on...just not here past (insert time).

Regards,
Your neighbors.

[shaunew]

Knock on the door, when he answers tell him his singing sounds like Chewbacca taking a dump.