Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BananaBan]

I am Caucasian, however, i am not the typical pale looking type. I was born in Canada, but my ethnic background is of a darker European type. I have an olive skin colour complexion, i guess you could say its similar to this guy's colour: (think Mediterranean, Italian-ish)

http://img.perezhilton.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/joe-manganiello-naked-true-blood__oPt.jpg

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/4OAaTm9WNRZ/PUMA+Social+Club+LA+Launch+Event+Arrivals/4OF_3-Clq2F/Joe+Manganiello

I have read stuff like English teachers being looked down upon for a variety of reasons, but specifically due to how they look. Would a parent tell my boss they dont want me teaching their kids? Do hogwon bosses dislike darker caucasions?

Will people on the street give me dirty looks/stir up controversy with me on a more frequent basis?

and of course, will i be at a disadvantage when looking for a date with the local girls? (keep in mind, im not into the club/bar type girls or the one-night stand types)

I am also over 6 feet tall, slim body type and i dont dress like the stereotyped college student (t-shirt, worn out jeans, non-clean shaven etc)

[Kimchifart]

You'll be ostracized. Life will be hell here, think South Africa in the 60's.

[chrisinkorea2011]

you should be fine considering that ive seen some UGLY @$$ people here teaching and they still survive lol

one of the most important rules of korea is that you MUST MUST develop a thick skin to take any and all comments. If you are even remotely fat be prepared to be called fat EVEN by little kids. it happens here, people are a product of their environment. NOW thats not to say they are not sweet good kids, because there are plenty of those too.

Just be prepared for words and comments of any nature and you will be fine

[northway]

Giving you the benefit of the doubt and treating this like a serious question: not at all.

[BananaBan]

[sirius black]

You'll be fine. I've befriended non white NETs here, hung with them and the vast majority have no issues or very little issues. Yes, things can and do happen as they do everywhere including Canada but that affects whites as well. My friends date Korean girls as well. A few quite successfully and more than the vast majority of teachers.

You'll be fine. Your stay here is largely up to you. If you're a well adjusted, normal guy, you'll do fine. Even the weird ones amongst us do well. The bar is low.

[northway]

[smithy]

TLDR, but

[TellyRules986]

OP: You are freaking out for no reason. You won't be discriminated against more than anyone else is. You won't be stared at more than anyone else. As for dating the local women: Generally speaking, Asian women love white men. It doesn't matter what you look like. So relax

[Jane]

OP, you'll be fine, but here is the advice I give anyone thinking of coming to Korea.

Can you deal with being an albino in Canadian society? That is sideways glances, back of the head stares, a group of people stop talking when you enter a room? Non-Korean-looking people get similar attention in Korea, so you do need thick skin to exist here happily.

Imagine showing up to a party where when you walk in the music cuts out and everyone turns to look at you. Unfortunately non-Koreans intrisically are outsiders and always will be; the degree of your 'whiteness' plays less of a factor, although sometimes the darker your skin is, even less respect you'll receive.

[Enigma]

I'm also Canadian and I'm darker than that dude in the picture you linked to. I've been in Korea about 3.5 years, and never once has it been an issue for me.
As others have noted, you will stand out regardless. Kids will occasionally point out that you're a foreigner. Some will say hello to you, some of them because they just want to say hi, and some because they're trying to impress their friends.
But to be honest, I rarely notice people looking at me anymore. I wouldn't let it keep you from making the trip over.