Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pushpin fantasies]

I've seen some discussion about people aging more rapidly while in Korea, and, from looking at myself and others, I'm starting to think it's true. Does anyone know why this is though? Is it the diet? Is it the pollution in Seoul (have people in less urban/polluted areas noticed themselves aging quickly)? Or is it something completely different?

[astroboyfan]

Maybe it is brought on by other things, not location... I think most foreigners drink and smoke more in Korea.

[oxfordstu]

I swear I've aged 4 years in the last year. I'm tired more, I've gained about 10 kilos (no clue why), and I've started losing my hair (had a full head when I left CA).

[astroboyfan]

[ajuma]

Go to Apkujong! They have an "anti-AIGING" clinic! (Their spelling, not mine!!! )

[VanIslander]

[ajuma]

[keithinkorea]

Well I'm 31 now and 32 in October and people regularly think I'm younger. I have a goatee that makes me look older, if I shave the goatee off I look really young.

[mysteriousdeltarays]

Gee the diet is wonderful, so healthy! Been drinking the "beer?" That early morning taxi ride must help the corticosteroid levels.
The never ending what is the next "surprise" going to be.
One might bother to check out both Giardia Lamnida and gastrointestinal worms while your checking around for ideas.
I'm tired of posting on these topics. Nobody listens.

[Ody]

i aged a lot since moving here 3 years ago. when i was 36, i was passing easily for mid 20s. i was carded on my birthday and even asked if it was my "first time" at the 2000 U.S. presidential election booth.

now i'm 39 and can pass for 34 if i'm lucky. (And no, Homer, it��s not because I don��t enjoy Korea��s public baths. )

if it is Korea, i attribute it to the loss of (almost daily) avocado in my diet; more likely though, it's a coincidence. like, maybe aging just comes in spurts? If this is so, at least i can count on looking mid 30s for another decade!

[Cymro]

I've sprouted dozens of grey hairs since I landed on the concrete of Incheon back in 2002. I'm not 27 yet!

What I put it down to:
1) a year at a hagwon
2) a few months driving
3) 20 months with a Korean woman

[kermo]

[just because]

I too have aged a bit since i have arrived here...

I have got the grey hairs starting(although i don't appear to be losing hair yet) plus got 2 lines going across my forehead which have developed in just over 3 years....

*I put this down to soju

[rapier]

I've aged a lot too. Before coming to korea people would always guess i looked younger than I was, now they usually say the correct age or even older, (help).

Its stress. Korea is in your face about 100 times more than anywhere else. Not only are the intrusive hordes of people inescapable everywhere you go, but work is a full- on assault. Its like being on stage every minute of the day: no room for your real self to make an appearance. You're feeling down, or upset..someone you used to know just died..whatever: who cares??!! You have a class of 15 yelling kids who demand your 100% attention and teaching performance! Get to it!

Its relentless... and I'm certainly looking forward to the sun, relaxation and solitude of a long holiday in the lazy tropics to restore myself.

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

I had really short, curly black hair when I came here and people thought I was so old!! Even my husband, when I first met him, told me that he hesitated about asking me out because he thought I was tons years older than him. Now that I have longer hair, people say I look much younger than I did with short hair. But my face/body hasn't changed one bit. It's just the damn hair that makes or breaks my age here.
Anyhoo, I had the classic ajumma perm when I came here....that didn't help me look good!