Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

I've been on a part-time schedule for all of three weeks now and I've noticed a few things. Koreans in general are basically miserable and they seem to enjoy inflicting this misery on their fellows. Before the apologists jump in, please note, I said 'in general'. I never really noticed it so much, but now that I'm rested and whatnot, I feel like those guys in They Live once they found the sunglasses.

I know that no culture or society is perfect, but having been here for almost a decade I haven't seen positive change. Prior to my experience as an EFLer I had been a soldier here in the 90s. When I returned in 2005 I thought South Korea had achieved some pretty cool stuff. But nowadays, wow... the shallow 'beauty is power' credo leading to the slide into silly brand *beep* uber-consumerism, medical twins and dudes that wear make-up, a culture of ingrained bullying and inefficient overwork, alongside inflation and stagnant wages has got me yearning for rural America.

What really cements this for me are the opinions of many of my adult students who are studying English "to escape Korea". One younger guy I know is trying to join the US military just to get out of here (he's already done his mandatory service for the ROK army). I really do believe it's important to avoid negativity and forums like this are often rife with it. But when your students bring it in and talk about how their hobby is sleeping (textbook definition of depression... no?) it wears on you.

If I had something to bitch about with them I know I would somehow feel better. I think that's "han", the shared misery brings a feeling of solidarity and belonging... so you know, spread it around I guess. But now that my pay per hour is pretty awesome (even though I'm still part-time) I dunno... it's wearing me down... definitely a weird paradox.

[Sister Ray]

Ha ha. Yeah, the sleeping hobby is really popular in Japan too. Another country with an atrocious attitude towards mental health and sky high suicide rate.

[PigeonFart]

I enjoy living in Korea but that's because i'm not Korean.

I would hate to have to be Korean and deal with all the BS they have to deal with.

[jvalmer]

I love sleeping. I'd sleep all day, if I got paid for it.

[le-paul]

[3DR]