Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BroodingSea]

As a two time visitor to Korea as a teacher over a seven year period (1990 & 1997) I noticed quite a few changes over this time. Mainly changes in lifestyle from a consumer perspective. People also seemed more weary of the foreign influence, teachers particularly, following the big negative press stories circa 2002. Cost of living another biggy. For you long term teachers and expats what are the main changes you have noticed over this time frame?

[zappadelta]

1) English ability has increased greatly
2) Koreans have become more accustomed to seeing non-Koreans
3) Seoul is a lot more liveable, bearable (this could also be just me, as maybe I have just gotten more used to it)

By the way, I am talking about the peroid between 2002-now

[bluelake]

I've been here since the 80s and, yes, there have been a lot of changes--so many that it's hard to know where to start. Then, again, I'm like the proverbial frog in the cold water that's slowly brought up to a boil; most changes were very subtle over the years, so I didn't pay a lot of attention to many of them.

[jvalmer]

Was here for a short while in 1988 (as a kid), then since 2002.

Since 1988:
- Korea was still very much 3rd world and looked like it, especially outside of Seoul.
- Most families didn't own a car.
- Some people now may complain about Korean driving, but back in the 80's it was very much solidly 3rd world style of driving. Most newbies would probably have a heart attack taking a taxi during the Olympics. Those ajosshies were nuts.
- Basically only one good highway out of Seoul and that was the Gyeongbu. The others were only 2 lanes, and people honked their horn when on curves, to warn the other side that a car was coming.
- Seoul had maybe 5 million people in 1988.
- The area surrounding Kimpo airport was all farms. I remember when the plane landed there were literally farmers in their big hats tending their rice fields under the wings of landing planes.
- Virtually all school uniforms were all black.
- Many residential buildings had no elevators, it was a major hassle climbing 20 floors of stairs.
- You'd see way more military on the streets.
- Lots of student riots.
- Corporal punishment was pretty severe compared to now (my best friend moved back to Korea, hence one of the reasons my family traveled to see the Olympics).
- No computers or cell phones.

Since 2002:
- The KTX, makes travel much more convenient.
- Tons of new highways, even in the regions.
- Korean cars in the last couple of years are much better quality.
- Way more foreign food available.

[methdxman]

A large influx of whiny English teachers who blame every misfortune in their lives on Koreans.

[BroodingSea]

Yeah I experienced some of these things you mentioned below. It felt much more of a 'country in transition my first visit, then more tech saavy and advanced the second. Not many street vendors or open fish markets etc.

[madoka]

[jvalmer]

[rollo]

In 1990 there was still a curfew and it still was pretty much a military dictatorship. I remember a regiment , fully armed marching down the middle of the street. Asked a Korean what was going on and what he told me was it was a show of strength, because there had been some protests. Yeah it was a country just starting to become modern. I remember North Korean raiders killed some folks . I had a lot of fun, foreigners were a novelty and I can remember signing autographs. I lived in Daegu.

[madoka]

[jvalmer]

[dantana]

[zappadelta]

[gmlkoreanna]

Toilet tissue is now available in most public restrooms. No more smoking allowed on buses and most public buildings. No longer have to spit in a paper cup to do a sobriety test. (at the check points). There is a starbucks practically anywhere you go! Can find lots of foreign foods outside of Itaewon. More tv channels to choose from. Remember the big 3? No more live DJ's sitting in those booths in coffee shops accepting your requests for songs, that were on LP's...Haven't seen one of them trucks that used to drive through the neighborhoods, blowing some kind of smoke out the back, to kill all them mosquitos in the summer time. Kids used to chase that truck till it was out of smoke... Don't hear alot of them guys that used to walk the streets late at night, yelling out rice cakes and chestnuts for sale. Schucks, lots has changed here in the Land of the Morning calm. Only things that seem to stay the same here, are the wages for teachers and a beer or two, from your discount mart!!!

[Summer Wine]