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FDNY
Joined: 27 Sep 2010
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 6:33 pm Post subject: Are Korean Emigrants Happier in Other Countries? |
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I'm just wondering if Koreans are happier after they emigrate. They seem to be so proud of being Korean and stalwartly defensive of their culture. How do they feel about being absorbed into another culture? Does the cleaner air, open spaces, profusion of parks, beaches, forests etc. offset this? Also many westerners here chafe at the population density, but I have seen Koreans get edgy at the lack of throngs of people.
It would be nice if some Gyopos chimed in here. |
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motiontodismiss
Joined: 18 Dec 2011
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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Some are, others aren't. I for one was happier in NYC than here. Then again, I'm much more westernized than a lot of gyopos.
Then again, I believe that overpopulation is the root cause of all of Korea's problems.
Last edited by motiontodismiss on Mon Apr 02, 2012 6:45 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Dodge7
Joined: 21 Oct 2011
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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I am tutoring a female right now who is desperately trying to get out of Korea to Australia to be with her husband. They both hate it here and when asked why, says that it's much more beautiful in Australia and the school system and beaches.
Then I had a student go to Toronto this past year, and by judging by his Facebook pictures, he's rather enjoying himself pretty much.
Any Korean knows that other places are better than Korea, all Korea is to them is a safety bubble and as long as they're in their bubble, everything's just peachy. |
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Who's Your Daddy?
Joined: 30 May 2010 Location: Victoria, Canada.
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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I've known the opposite, Koreans that were bored in Canada. The wide-open spaces were boring. |
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Steelrails

Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Location: Earth, Solar System
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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Most Koreans I know love things both here and abroad and find things that annoy them here and abroad. It pretty much comes down to which place will get them paid and see their careers advance where their friends are.
Most I know want their families to experience both parts, just as they did. I want the same for my children. |
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fermentation
Joined: 22 Jun 2009
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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It obviously depends on the person. I've seen mostly two types of people who have either migrated, or moved to the US (or sometimes Canada or UK) for education/job.
There are the types who stubbornly refuse to experience the country their in. Being abroad only serves to fortify whatever prejudices they've already had. They are extremely critical of American culture. I have heard countless times from Koreans (especially older folk) who tell me no matter where you go, you're always Korean. A lot of these people also think "regular" Americans will never accept them as part of American society and they'll never be really American (or Canadian). They're only there to use the system and take advantage of it.
Of course there are the people who love it and accept the good aspects of their new society yet are still critical of the bad. A lot of people I met who like being in whatever country seem to share the sentiment that they're "still Korean" no matter what though. |
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crisdean
Joined: 04 Feb 2010 Location: Seoul Special City
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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Who's Your Daddy? wrote: |
I've known the opposite, Koreans that were bored in Canada. The wide-open spaces were boring. |
"If you're bored, then you're boring." -Harvey Danger
Yeah I've had a lot of Koreans tell me Canada is boring. Then I ask them "what you do in Korea that's sooooo exciting?" and they usually don't have an answer. |
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Kimchifart
Joined: 15 Sep 2010
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 9:11 pm Post subject: Re: Are Korean Emigrants Happier in Other Countries? |
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FDNY wrote: |
I'm just wondering if Koreans are happier after they emigrate. They seem to be so proud of being Korean and stalwartly defensive of their culture. How do they feel about being absorbed into another culture? Does the cleaner air, open spaces, profusion of parks, beaches, forests etc. offset this? Also many westerners here chafe at the population density, but I have seen Koreans get edgy at the lack of throngs of people.
It would be nice if some Gyopos chimed in here. |
I'm sure that whichever country they are in, they spend the vast majority of their time making each other as miserable as possible. |
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rabidcake
Joined: 10 Aug 2009
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know what you guys are talking about. I have met plenty of Koreans that are very happy staying in Korea, and I have met plenty of Koreans that are very happy living abroad. Some Koreans prefer living abroad and developing their careers in China, Japan, Canada, and many like to stay home.
I think it's almost the same for the citizens of all countries. |
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Yaya

Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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Dodge7 wrote: |
I am tutoring a female right now who is desperately trying to get out of Korea to Australia to be with her husband. They both hate it here and when asked why, says that it's much more beautiful in Australia and the school system and beaches.
Then I had a student go to Toronto this past year, and by judging by his Facebook pictures, he's rather enjoying himself pretty much.
Any Korean knows that other places are better than Korea, all Korea is to them is a safety bubble and as long as they're in their bubble, everything's just peachy. |
Hmm, I wouldn't say Australia is the best place to leave Korea for given the racism there, bad job market and the like.
Nah, there are plenty of Koreans who've lived abroad who end up coming back, not to mention many expats who swore THEY'D never come back to Korea but did just that. |
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pkang0202

Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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In the US my parents have a big 4 bedroom house with 1.5 acres of land. A condo in DC. They can eat Korean food everyday. The air is clean, they take road trips to the beach, mountains, etc... Playing with their grandkids.
As opposed to:
living in a concrete box. road trip means being stuck in traffic for 10 hours to visit relatives. yellow dust. Having to buy homes for their sons/daughter, and playing with their singular grandchild because Koreans don't have more than 1 kid.
I would say they are pretty happy living overseas. |
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rabidcake
Joined: 10 Aug 2009
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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pkang0202 wrote: |
In the US my parents have a big 4 bedroom house with 1.5 acres of land. A condo in DC. They can eat Korean food everyday. The air is clean, they take road trips to the beach, mountains, etc... Playing with their grandkids.
As opposed to:
living in a concrete box. road trip means being stuck in traffic for 10 hours to visit relatives. yellow dust. Having to buy homes for their sons/daughter, and playing with their singular grandchild because Koreans don't have more than 1 kid.
I would say they are pretty happy living overseas. |
Yep, exactly. That's why immigrants that come to America are very happy to enjoy the greatness of America, because we all know it's the best country. Only America would you be able to eat Korean food everyday, which would not be the case in places like Korea.
I'm so glad that America lets us drive to places and not have to worry about the traffic except during usual rush hour. Obviously walking anywhere is out of the question, we can just drive there.
Here are the best things about America:
1) Fast Food drive throughs are the norm.
2) You can do drive throughs to get your car washed.
3) You can even do a drive through with the bank, you don't even have to leave.
Now that's efficiency! |
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Yaya

Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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rabidcake wrote: |
pkang0202 wrote: |
In the US my parents have a big 4 bedroom house with 1.5 acres of land. A condo in DC. They can eat Korean food everyday. The air is clean, they take road trips to the beach, mountains, etc... Playing with their grandkids.
As opposed to:
living in a concrete box. road trip means being stuck in traffic for 10 hours to visit relatives. yellow dust. Having to buy homes for their sons/daughter, and playing with their singular grandchild because Koreans don't have more than 1 kid.
I would say they are pretty happy living overseas. |
Yep, exactly. That's why immigrants that come to America are very happy to enjoy the greatness of America, because we all know it's the best country. Only America would you be able to eat Korean food everyday, which would not be the case in places like Korea.
I'm so glad that America lets us drive to places and not have to worry about the traffic except during usual rush hour. Obviously walking anywhere is out of the question, we can just drive there.
Here are the best things about America:
1) Fast Food drive throughs are the norm.
2) You can do drive throughs to get your car washed.
3) You can even do a drive through with the bank, you don't even have to leave.
Now that's efficiency! |
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soomin
Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Location: Daegu
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:38 am Post subject: |
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Three of my Korean friends moved or are moving to other countries ;.; I think it's the same for any one of any nationality~ there are some people who just like living somewhere else~ I, personally, am much happier living in Korea than in my home country (US) <3 |
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fosterman
Joined: 16 Nov 2011
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:39 am Post subject: Re: Are Korean Emigrants Happier in Other Countries? |
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FDNY wrote: |
I'm just wondering if Koreans are happier after they emigrate. They seem to be so proud of being Korean and stalwartly defensive of their culture. How do they feel about being absorbed into another culture? Does the cleaner air, open spaces, profusion of parks, beaches, forests etc. offset this? Also many westerners here chafe at the population density, but I have seen Koreans get edgy at the lack of throngs of people.
It would be nice if some Gyopos chimed in here. |
this sounds exactly like any expat living abroad. |
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