Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

are overrated.

With so many people doing them, if you only care about money, it's better off just to get a visa job with block hours and fill up the rest of the time with privates.

I was thinking....most jobs these days pay about 2 million. That is about 100,000 won a working day. Right? Wrong!!!

If you take into account your plane ticket, apartment, severance, pension (if applicable), health insurance, and maybe something else, it is closer to 150,000 a day.

To earn that much takes a lot of networking, time, and they are not stable, always have a chance of getting busted by immigration, etc etc. Plus commuting time!!

It's only good for me because I am going to be a student. Otherwise, a visa job with block hours is the way to go.

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

dude, i know a couple of guys pulling in 3.8 and 5.0 a month because of privates. no exaggeration.
most privates will pay for taxi fare, and the networking takes care of itself if you are a good teacher.
the only reason these guys are doing privates is because they kept getting more and more offers....and the premium pay that comes with it.

some people just dont want to put up with the hagwan bullshit.

if the legality wasn't a problem, i would be doing it too. it's really the ONLY drawback.

T-dot · Joined: 16 May 2004 Location: bundang

if you break down the per hour at a hagwon its like 2-5,000 won an hour.

if you manage to get 1 good ajumma connection, your set.

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Homer · Guest

Excellent point made by the OP.

Too many people forget to include the free accomodations, plane ticket and end of year bonus when calculating their pay.

The free accomodation is the biggest one here and cannot be ignored as a clear benefit to your wage.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

agreed....free accomodation is big. Think about how much rent you'd be paying for an apartment in Vancouver, then triple it for you studio in Seoul. One more thing, don't forget the low tax rate of 6%. You'd probably have to make over $20-25/hour in Canada/US to clear what you clear here.

T-dot · Joined: 16 May 2004 Location: bundang

typo meant 12-15,000

accommodation + severance are good if your in a good situation.

the freedom to choose your own privates and part times with less hours and better pay are better.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

Don't forget your key money. Though you expect to get it back, you still must have it. Without key money (like me) I am paying quite high rent.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Kim Jong Jordan · Joined: 13 Mar 2004 Location: The Internet

To the experienced this may be a dumb question, but to the inexperienced it may be important. How does one safeguard against being busted by immigration when doing privates? Is it really just a gamble? Is there a measure of trust that you must establish with your "client" beforehand? I'm curious because I have read of a few on this forum who have a seeming abundance of privates. I would like to do some (not many, just enough to slightly supplement my income) and I am aware that I would first have to establish some contacts, but upon doing so, how do I ensure/safeguard/prevent myself from being screwed?

tomwaits · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Location: PC Bong

From those I have met doing non-visa work it can be very up and down.
Maybe they make 3.5 one month but then things dry up and they 1 for a month or two.

As for getting caught it does happen. Don't know the odds really. If someone has an issue with you or the class or wherever you work they can phone Immigration who may or may not act on it.

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

Hagwon job vs privates.... The age-old question!

If you like Korea and you want to stay, why chance it? Money's good, but a friend of mine got busted by a security guard at one of those apartment complexes. I've heard these guards can get a reward for busting foreigners working illegally.

Why not play it safe if you want to stay? If you don't really care about staying or leaving, then what have you got to lose?

Here's another question - why do so many people settle for hagwon jobs??? After one year of hagwon action, I knew I had to get out or lose my sanity. Fast-forward three years and I have a university job, paying 2.5 plus tons of overtime, 5 months paid vacation, housing, and a severance pay. Also, I only have a BA...

Explore your options, look for jobs, they are out there, and then you don't have to worry about doing privates and getting usted.

One man's opinion...

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

Sorry we can't all be as lucky as you and get into a University.

They are 50 times more teachers who want to work for a Uni than positions.