Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rsf2013]

Hey, I'm new to the forums. I plan to apply for an English teaching job in Korea next year. I'll be in my late twenties.

I was just wondering, will I face any difficulty there having a shaved head and a short, trimmed beard?

I'm not sure if it matters, but I'm 185cm, in decent shape, and of Caucasian descent. But I've read all these things about how Korea generally prefers young looking people in the job market.

Thanks.

[waynehead]

Expect comments about it from young people from time to time. Koreans tend to keep their hair longer than Westerners, so it's a bit odd for them to see a younger bald/balding guy. Unless you're really sensitive about it it shouldn't be a problem.

[Weigookin74]

I was in the same boat in my late 20's, balding bad and I buzzed it real close. But, average height and weight gain after getting over here. Needless to say, reception, mixed with xenophobia, at the time, not so positive. Nowadays, not so xenophobic. Koreans will mostly welcome you. Walk like crazy once you get over here even if it's cold. New foods will pack on the pounds quickly. (It seems a 33/33/33 % type of deal. A third lose weight after getting here. A third gain weight after getting here. The remaining third stay the same.) That said, Koreans have been getting more chubby nowadays compared to several years ago when I first came over. So, they won't give as much crap about weight. When, someone does, it'll most likely be an older Korean. (Younger Koreans have increasingly developed a somewhat western mindset in some ways. Older ones - over 45 - not as much.)

Anyhow, I was slim and balding in my late 20's when applying. The market was different back then in pre - recession Korea. But without experience, even then, I had to be less fussy about location and be patient. Some offers dissapeared. But, I did still get over here quite easily. It won't be as easy for you in the current conditions, but you will still get here being patient and not accepting the first offer that comes along if it's bad. I do still see bald people, fat people, etc. (New hires.)

Your age is still young. Some teachers here are 40's and 50's, though not as many as when I first got over here. Stress how energetic you are, like kids, etc.

Kids will tease you about the baldness a bit. But, they'll also freak out about your tall height. (Older Koreans and young kids don't have that filter in their mind that stops them from saying what they think.) Just have a thick skin and maybe have smart @$$ replies. Before, some 40 something ajumas said to me: "Very fat". I replied: "Thank you" and gave them a thumbs up. It really screwed them up in the head with an odd look on their faces.

Since then, I've slimmed down somewhat and fixed my hair situation. (If you ever decide to do a hair transplant down the road, I can give some good referrals. Lol.) So, now I don't get those things much now. I look the age I was when I first applied to come over here.

Anyhow, be persistent, have a good pic (smiling, suit, etc), and it'll come eventually. Good luck.

[Weigookin74]

[edwardcatflap]

So a 'Western' diet causes balding now as well does it?

[Hokie21]

You'll be fine...just expect people to tell you how much you resemble Bruce Willis.

[Weigookin74]

[Underwaterbob]

You'll get the "seunim seunim!" ("monk monk") treatment from the kids, but otherwise you'll be fine. Anyone who can't take any criticism towards their appearance should NEVER come to Korea.

[EZE]

Adults in the neighborhood treat me with a lot more kindness now that I'm a bald guy. The kids actually like the bald head. You'll hear the word "babagi" a million times. Several years ago, I worked a bald teacher who really hated the "babagi" remarks, but I roll with it. The kids call me Babagiboy and it's pretty funny.

[young_clinton]

Why does stuff like this even get posted or better yet how come the mods don't delete this post?

[Weigookin74]

[World Traveler]

[byrddogs]

Don't worry about it, op. You'll fit in nicely with a crowd that is sporting the same look.

[edwardcatflap]

I don't know whether Korean guys are balding younger in life these days, it'd be interesting to see some statistics on it. However they might give the appearance they are, due to them being less ashamed about it nowadays. In the past they probably went to much greater lengths to cover it up. In the way that I remember growing up there were very few balding footballers around but as soon as it became acceptable to shave it all off, you noticed them everywhere. Anyway it'd be fairly typical of Korean doctors to latch onto something like 'Western food' (ie unhealthy fast food) being the cause for their nation's increasing lack of hirstuteness.

[waynehead]

I've also heard that the traditional "Western" diet plays a role in early balding, and not from some crackpot on the street, either, I remember reading it in some articles a while back. Google it yourself if you're interested in it.