Korean Job Discussion Forums

BoholDiver · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Location: Canada

Vietnam-light.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

legrande · Joined: 23 Nov 2010

Yeah, because of the heavy prejudice against Koreans in Japan, a lot of them went underground and ended up working for the Yakuza, which in turn has made it tough on their descendants. Our school even had a couple of Yakuza members on the PTA! And actually there were a lot of connections and deals/using the school's name to conduct various affairs, which is why I ended up leaving, as the teachers' conditions ended up being last on the list, while the administration was swimming in mula.

ed4444 · Joined: 12 Oct 2004

I am doing a PHD on Korea's History & Society and there is no country suitable for a direct comparison unfortunately. I had to split Korea into areas and then draw parallels on those areas. e.g

Comparing the population density, geography and rapid industrialisation to Taiwan
Comparing the communist / capitalist north south divide to Vietnam (obviously ending in a different result)
Comparing the isolationist Chosun Kingdom with Pre-Meiji Japan.
Comparing the years building up to the Japanese Annexation to that of Poland squashed between Russia and Nazi Germany at the start of WWII.
etc etc...

Even at the most basic level Korea is one of only a small handful of countries globally that has never been colonised by a European country (along with Japan) so that fact alone makes it hard to draw parallels.

I don't think Italy works because the shadow of the Roman Empire still looms over modern Italy and Korea doesn't have anything resembling that in its past.

rchristo10 · Joined: 14 Jul 2009

ca12bon · Joined: 29 May 2007 Location: Seoul

Bedrock. I see too many people yaba daba dooing. On a more serious note, you westerners are able to just up and 'leave' once your contracts are over. Be happy to know that you have something to look forward to once your stint in Korea is over. I wish I could say the same for myself.

goniff · Joined: 31 Dec 2007

"all comparisons are odious"

Stout · Joined: 28 May 2011

This place reminds me a lot of the older sections of Seoul and Gyeonggi, the general atmosphere, architecture, and sensibilitiies (okay, forget the donkey), as well as whacky ajeossi culture-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuvQBIgy9_o

robinsoncrusoe · Joined: 22 Jan 2010

I would disagree with the Italy comparison, though I'm not Italian myself.

There are a few major differences in mentality and culture that make them more different than similar.

For instance, Italians do not have the same attitude towards work as Koreans. I'm sure there are workaholics in Italy, but I doubt it's anywhere close to Korea's level. When it comes to work-life balance, Italy is quite obviously European.

Also, Italians are admired/criticized/known for their sexuality. This is not necessarily just about "looking sexy." Italians carry themselves in such a way so that their sexuality is expressed as part of their persona. Koreans, however, couldn't be any more different, as many of you well know. Hardcore sexual repression seems to be the accepted norm here. Koreans, like any other human beings, are sexual creatures of course. They're just made to feel as if they're not allowed to be.

But perhaps the greatest difference is a psychological one, highlighted by how their histories couldn't be any more different. While the Italians pride themselves on the illustrious empire they controlled long ago (effectively running the world), Koreans have always been insecure about their more aggressive neighbors, particularly the Mongols and the Japanese. A strong victim mentality permeates the national psyche, even today.

I think there are definitely better countries to compare Korea to than Italy. I can see why some would mention it, but to me, the differences are just too deep to ever put them in the same boat.