Korean Job Discussion Forums

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Hi all. First, the disclaimer: I posted a similar question on the Japan board but wanted to ask the Korea contingent directly. I'm starting to investigate what it will take to move to either Japan or Korea next year, to teach English. Trying to decide between the two.

Does anyone know whether health food stores have caught on in Korea yet? I'm lactose intolerant and although I'm quite happy on a diet of Asian food, when I do need soy milk or something cheese-like, I'm wondering how hard it will be to find it. Impossible? Should I stock up on soy cheese and such, if I do end up in Seoul (or wherever)? (I say this jokingly. No way am I going to ship soy cheese to Korea.)

The other thing. Korea reputedly being such a conservative place, does anyone know anything about how well us homos are received over there? I understand Japan has opened up quite a bit, where gay issues are concerned, but I'm not so sure what to expect in Korea. I'm not a big screamer or anything, but as a published writer I'm also sort of publicly out to anyone who feels like doing a Google search. Has anyone experienced working over there, and being out at work? Got friends/colleagues who have? I'd like to hear from anyone who can comment on this -- unless all they have to say is that they don't condone homosexual behavior, think we shouldn't be able to marry, etc, in which case please save your breath and my time, thanks.

[Howard Roark]

You shouldn't have any trouble finding soy milk. Soy products are quite popular in Korea.
For the most part, Korean society denounces and even denies the existence of homosexuality. If I were you I wouldn't go around announcing it freely over here, to Koreans that is. It could cause problems for you.
However, how "screaming", as you said, you are won't make much difference. Koreans don't seem to have the "gay-dar" that westerners do. Korean men can be quite feminine themselevs. If you carried a purse they wouldn't think that was strange at all!

[peppermint]

A former co- worker/ friend was pretty much out. Unless you were raised under a rock when it comes to gay issues it was immediately apparent. He was also dark skinned- two big supposed "no-no's in Korea, but he was very, very popular as a teacher.

The thing is, most Koreans aren't aware of it. Unless you come on to a straight guy, I dont' think you'll experience much homophobia here.

As for the cheese thing, I've seen soy cheese slices a lot, but it's a little difficult to find good regular cheese outside of Seoul anyway. Soymilk is everywhere though.

[Tiger Beer]

You could let it all hangout on Homo Hill in Itaewon. Its pretty open there.. and strangely normal compared to the hill next to it called Hooker Hill.

Koreans are very homophobic in words. But I've never heard of any actual confrontation or whatever else. They are also very friendly, if you are a straight guy hanging out in Korea for the first time.. you could swear they are hitting on you. Hands on your knees, grabbing you every 5 minutes, giving you a 1000 compliments every 5 minutes.. if they didn't know you were gay.. you'd probably enjoy the lavishment of attention from the guys.

I've known this one Western guy who has been here 7 or so years who is gay who has went through a series of Korean boyfriends.. even in conservative Busan he seemed to pick them up. But generally it is definetely not the norm. But most Korean people would probably just assume you were friends and would never even consider it could be more than that. Strangely if you are a foreigner with a Korean girl they may react funny at times.. but if with a Korean guy.. wouldn't even bat an eye - probably jealous thinking you were just good friends. Plus some of these Korean guys do act quite feminime just naturally - although probably not nearly as much as Japanese guys. There is still a strong macho streak here which appears almost absent in Japan.

Regarding healthfoods.. ahh.. Korean food seems to be pretty healthy overall.. but NO its definetely not a health-conscious society and they don't import any health foods or go into that fad. However their own food is extremely natural (in my opinion) as is.. so maybe there isn't any real need for it. Plus people seem to be quite healthy here as it is. Abnormally so it would seem.