Korean Job Discussion Forums

williamsabia · Joined: 30 May 2011

All the recruiters are saying how hard it is to get a job in Seoul or Busan. So, does anyone recommend other cities for a first-timer? I am not interested in going out to party every night, although I do like to go out on weekends and stay out late. I like to hike, eat out, get massage/acupuncture, see movies and people watch. I have researched all the cities and know their basics, but was looking for some first-hand advice from people already overseas. I do not want the rural jobs, but what about the cities scattered throughout the country of a million or more people?

Modernist · Joined: 23 Mar 2011 Location: The 90s

OK everybody, how is the characterless sprawl of Daegu superior to the characterless sprawl of Daejeon? Is it true that the KTX trip to Ulsan is somehow different than the KTX trip to Gwangju? Compare and contrast the Western bars of Changwon and Cheonan. How do the giant department stores of Suwon compare to the giant department stores of Incheon? What about the CGV outposts and Baskin-Robbins? Please discuss how the movie-watching and ice-cream eating experience differs in each individual city of 1 million plus. Bullet points are preferred.

GO!

Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Location: Not Korea

Not a fan of Daegu but if you can't get Busan...

Zyzyfer · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:33 pm Post subject:

Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Location: Not Korea

I mind taking a bus trip to Gwanju and feeling the mountains closing in. The sameness was strong that day.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

s.tickbeat · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Location: Gimhae

Pohang is awesome - lots of beaches, a really kind of laid-back atmosphere, excellent established hagwons, and POSTECH is right there so a huge population of people your age, including international students. It's decently close to both Busan and Seoul for a day trip, and Gyeongsangbukdo has the best foo din the country (in my opinion).

Changwon is a decent place, not very artsy though. However, again it has a huge population of young, interesting people. LOTS of beautiful hiking and camping access, etc. Since it's been integrated with Masan and Jinhae (Masan is hip, Jinhae is beautiful - both are also good places to live) it's now the third largest city in the country.

Gimhae is minutes from Busan, and comes with some pluses: international population (SE Asia, India, and the Middle East mostly), great food (due to the international population) and it's cheap and easy to get around. Plus, Inje University is SWEET. The Gimhae education office hires often, pays well, and has great accommodations for their teachers, and the hagwons are well-established for the most part. The Gimhae foreigners center is one of the best in the country!

All of these places have decent hiking, theaters, etc. The best arts scenes are in Pohang and Masan (out of this list at any rate). Jobs in these places are probably widely available.

allan of asia · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Here, there, everywhere

i do live in central Seoul (i have a good job I dont want to change and personal relationships here, so please don't call me a hypocrite!), but my favourite cities in Korea to visit are Daegu and Gwangju they always have heaps going on IMO.

Frankly, I find Busan TOTALLY overrated. It reminds me of a poor mans Seoul (and a bit dirtier too) when the other cities have a sort of vibe of their own. As for the beaches, there are some nice ones near Gwangju too! BUT, different strokes for different folks as some of my friends LOVE living in Busan and wouldnt be anywhere else. So please no Seoul snob bashing please...

So I would say, if you can find a cool job in Daegu or Gwangju you will love it! But the job is the most important thing, you can travel to visit places but you will be stuck at work for a large % of your time so its important to find one that you like!

Saudiman · Joined: 12 Nov 2009

The only part of Busan I really didn't like was the part adjacent to Line 1 (Hadan, Dangni, etc) west of Seodaeson-dong. Otherwise, the city seemed to have a great vibe and it was fun!

Gorf · Joined: 25 Jun 2011

Daegu is balls hot.

If a recruiter tells you that you can't get a job in your first year in Seoul or Busan they're inept, lying, or trying to get you to take a smaller city job because they get a higher commission. I got a job in a great part of Seoul my first year simply by being persistent and using as many recruiters as I could find.

Jotun_Symph · Joined: 21 Aug 2011

Try Ulsan, 7th largest city in Korea, highest per capita income in Korea (I think around 60,000 USD), and easy 1-hour access to Busan and Haeundae beach, along with its own nice coastal area. It's a growing city, and I think English teacher positions are on the rise there.

OHIO · Joined: 16 Aug 2011 Location: Korea

I lived in Wonju once upon a time. Nice little town in the middle of everything.

BloodySundae · Joined: 12 Feb 2010

I live in Seohyeon, Bundang right now.

Awesome place to be. Everything you need really. It's got everything Seoul has, but all within about 10 minutes walk.

DeLaRed · Joined: 16 Oct 2008

just waiting for some idiot to post Cohiba's stupid rule......3....2.....1....

furtakk · Joined: 02 Jun 2009

If a recruiter is telling you that can't find you a job in Seoul or Busan, try another recruiter. There are plenty of jobs in both cities. Everyone who has come through my school in the last year has been a Korea newbie and I'd say my school has better than average conditions and is located in a nice area of Seoul. That said, this is pretty much spot on (sorry):