Korean Job Discussion Forums

Freeghen · Joined: 01 Oct 2009

About two weeks ago I was sleeping, and I woke up at about 3am because I heard someone trying to get into my apartment by turning the doorknob. I only had one lock out of three locked on the door at the time - they kept shaking the door and I could hear about 3 male voices talking in Korean...I couldn't understand everything that they were saying but what I did get from the conversation was that they knew there was a foreigner living here and they thought I was American.
My dog started barking at the door and then they left. I was absolutely messing my pants. I'm a foreign woman living alone and I have no idea who these people were or how they know where I live (I am assuming they must live in the building as well).
Last night again I heard someone try to turn my doorknob. I don't know if this is the same person or some drunk neighbor who went to the wrong floor or something (there are more than a few boozehounds who live here).
I don't have a peephole and I'm obviously not going to open the door to check.

Is this worth even bringing up to my boss or the building security guard since I don't even know if it was the same person (the building security guard is a really really old adjesshi who probably can't do much anyways)?
What would you do?

crescent · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: yes.

seonsengnimble · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:37 am Post subject:

More likely than not, it's someone who's drunk and got off on the wrong floor.

As safe as it is in Korea, though, I would take caution. If your boss is decent, you can get him/her to have a peephole installed or some other security precaution.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

Change the locks if you haven't already done so. If it continues to happen then seriously consider moving house. You don't want to become another statistic for women assaulted, raped, etc.

UknowsI · Joined: 16 Apr 2009

I had a random guy enter my apartment once when I hadn't locked the door. He turned around and walked straight out when he saw me, but I can imagine I would have been scared if I was a woman and even more so if there were 3 men. Since you have a security guard I think it's a good idea to talk to someone about it. Do you even have CCTV?

mayorgc · Joined: 19 Oct 2008

I was gonna say that it was a drunk, but since it's more than one voice and you could hear them talk about a foreigner/american, they're probably pretty aware of whose door they're at.

Get a baseball bat and if they ever get in, bash their brains in and flee the country.

Freeghen · Joined: 01 Oct 2009

GwangjuParents · Joined: 31 Oct 2008

What the movie "Paranormal Activity"...

sketcha · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Location: Seoul, South Korea

reading the title, I thought it just be a drunk guy confusing his room (happened to me a couple of times)

but after reading your post, yeah ... talk to your manager and get security look into this - that's just a bit too freaky

people do strange/stupid stuff when they're drunk (it's almost like an excuse for them to do whatever)

but it's strange if they know a foreigner live in that apartment, how would they know that?

lhasa · Joined: 26 Jan 2008

Also make sure your windows are locked. It's often not as hard as you think to get to, and through, an apt window.

I'm no Picasso · Joined: 28 Oct 2008

Tell someone immediately and make it sound urgent. Take good care when you're coming in alone at night, and lock yourself in well.

I am not a paranoid person, by any stretch of the imagination, but we've heard one too many of these stories already.....

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

If I were you, I'd seriously sleep with a knife under my pillow.

kaosjin · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

Invest in a peephole if your boss won't. Take care of yourself coming in and out. Keep your phone on, charged and near you at night and always lock your door.

I was glad to read you had a dog. Mine has always made me sleep better when I've heard bumps in the night. And my bumps are surely in my head or noisy neighbors. Nothing like what you must be going through.

Take care of yourself.

redaxe · Joined: 01 Dec 2008

Yeah, talk to your boss about it and keep that kitchen knife handy just in case. Too many rape stories these days.

Probably just drunk people though, sometimes they ring my doorbell at like 4 AM, it pisses me off. One time it happened while I was asleep, it woke me up, and then when I fell back asleep, I dreamt that people had broken into my apartment. Mad

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:20 pm Post subject:

three guys at the door and you heard "waygookin" or equivalent? yikes. unless it was toward the end, like where one realized 'hey, this isn't your place man this is that waygookin's place' then they KNEW exactly which apartment they were at! the suggested changed locks, get weapon or move are all good ideas. now you gotta consider how safe it is getting TO your apartment, the hallway and elevator and entranceway. take precautions. don't cower in fear, be pro-active. you are a smart woman and thus know how to protect yourself. better safe than sorry. i suggest getting one of those handheld alarms, you know, the one's that blast an incredibly loud sound

good luck whatever