Korean Job Discussion Forums

pet lover · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: not in Seoul

Food in a restaurant in Jeju IS incredibly expensive if you go to a restaurant that tourists go to (especially the ones anywhere near an attraction). I live here. I know which restaurants have the tourist prices and which ones have the islanders' prices. Also, never buy something anywhere near an attraction. That delicious chocolate is about 20 times cheaper if you go to a supermarket and don't get the fancy packaging. Those clothes, hats, purses, etc. made with the persimmon dyed cloth are cheap if you buy them at the traditional five day market or a supermarket. I think that taxis are actually quite cheap. I live in Seogwipo and can go up to Jeju City for between 15,000 and 20,000 won. That's across the island, the narrow part, granted, but still. Not that pricey. And you know what? Jeju has buses. There are also shuttle buses.

If I wanted to take a trip to some city on the mainland, I'd probably end up just as frustrated as the op because I would not KNOW the ins and outs of the place. It would be difficult for me to plop myself down in Kyoung-Ju and not end up having to spend a lot more than I had planned simply because I don't know where the really good places are and/or how to get to them. I think it's true of any location: if you go without really checking into things first, you are likely to experience frustration. And remember, tourist organizations never tell it like it truly is (in your opinion). For one thing, it's their job to make you want to go there. For another thing, everyone has a different perception of what is beautiful/fun/interesting/etc.

I'm closing in on one year here in Jeju and I must say that I truly love it here and would be happy if I never had to go to the mainland ever again. Of course, when I first got here, I went a little mad going places and buying things that I really regretted later when I found better places and far cheaper identical items. But, I hadn't known before.

By the way, as for language, keep in mind that mainlanders often have no clue what the Jeju people are saying. It's a totally different dialect and I've heard that Japanese almost sounds closer. Most of the Korean listening ability I picked up on the mainland is useless here because the dialect is so different (edited my dumb mistake) that I often have no clue what is being said even when it's something simple like, "It's cold today."

Jeju is not the kind of place to just fly in and do a whirlwind tour and have satisfaction. This is a place that requires time to find all the fascinating quirks, true sites of beauty, and really good shopping. This is not a weekend destination unless you have one specific place you want to visit and know exactly where it is, how to get there, and where you will stay.

This is not directed solely at the OP but at anyone thinking of coming down here. It's totally worth it, but you've got to come prepared. I guess you could compare it to flying to Korea blind to start teaching English for the first time in your life in a foreign country when you've never left your own country. Very Happy

EDIT: Oh, and how many people have been to a tourist resort (something that the entire island is considered to be) and NOT had the natives trying to get as much money as possible from the tourists? It's the nature of the business. If they spot you for a tourist, they are naturally going to try to take advantage. They know that the tourist usually don't know any better. They don't try that kind of thing with the locals. And yes, they take advantage of Korean tourists as well. Again, it's the nature of the business. They find out that you live here and work here, it's a whole other set of rules (and often price list). Wink

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

jack diamond · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Location: i might as well be on mars.

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Can you count in Korean?

jack diamond · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Location: i might as well be on mars.

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

It wasn't my thread. I just got credit for it.

Me Against the World-Tupac Shakur

jack diamond · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Location: i might as well be on mars.

i'm cool. good on you for taking the credit.

living in a material world - george harrison

pet lover · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: not in Seoul

jack diamond~

Oh crap. I did not mean to come off sounding like I knew the entire island and all its wonderfulness. I'm STILL finding out. Smile

The Great Toad · Joined: 12 Jun 2004

Hi queen- To bad you had a bad time here...you can stay overnight for free in Halla National Park if you hike into the isolated woods and throw up a pup tent but that would be illegal. But you can get camping permits for some places. I think you can camp on some of the beaches too. As to the pricey food well you can get a one serving plate of horsemeat for 20,000.00 - I want to try it out before I leave - but I want to get a few raw strips too.
Hey Jack --
Hyeopjaw beach is on the NW side it is across from an island and very scenic. Sinyang beach is on the mid-east part it has an insular blob that provides good snorkeling too. The island of Munseom right off the Seogwi Harbor is good for diving but I assume you could also see some stuff just snorkeling - you have to take a boat to it since it is around some ship lanes.
I'm a filthy Stoat myself - I've skin dived many a time right off the Jeju City Board Walk - what��s a little city pollution when your in love with the sea- not to many fish to see though. A buddy also told me Iho Beach has dirty water - but hey I skin dive that anyway and there are a few packs of fish by the rocks - but then I swim way out to the second set of rocks too.
Err not to seem negative too - after all it is a cultural learning experience, but I'd rather be on the "Big Hawaii" again not the "Little Hawaii" now that would be some sweeeeet snorkeling - but they wouldn't think I was sooo smart there just cuz I can talk in English.

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

I agree with Mr. Toad and Pet lover about Jeju. I live here, and I don't think it's that expensive at all. I found Seoul to be a little more expensive.

Food? Galbi is cheap here, I never pay more than about 15.000 per person and that includes a 2nd round of meat normally, plus a few drinks. Of course, it helps that my friends took me there the first time and they're in good with the owner! But still, even at a new restaurant to me, I don't pay more than 30.000 to 40.000 for me and my girlfriend (and we can drink a lot!).

Taxis are expensive? Where? The most I've ever paid for a taxi here was 7.000 and that was to go from Hallim to Jeju (about 35 km). Most taxi rides are 3.000 or less. Plus the bus system goes everywhere and it's only 900 for one-way. Cheap to me. Now i've got a motorcycle and don't need those services anymore....

And Jack, if you have any questions, I can try to help as well. I'm in guJejusi, so I know about this area a bit. Plus I worked in sinJejusi for a while, so I know a bit about there as well. Been most places, but don't ask about accomodations...no clue!

KPRROK

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

beast · Joined: 28 Jan 2003

Koreans love it because they can't get a visa to go to the real Hawaii.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

ESL jobs in Cheju have, I've heard, pay a hundred thousand less than the usual mainland job. I wonder if this is in the 'ripping off of tourists'/get what you can vein or because owners think teachers will work in a desirable location and might accept less pay for the perk, or both.
I stayed at a yogwon for ten thousand. This was four years ago. A guy at the ferry terminal handing out his yogwon card with a lift to his place.
The OP makes Cheju sound like a trip to hell. The only bad experience I had was wondering at my lack of taste, in hindsight, buying a small, lime green, plastic, glow-in-the-dark male effigy figure like those of Easter Island. Why?

matthewwoodford · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Location, location, location.

I'm surprised to hear people think 15,000 Won for Kalbi is cheap. It's about par for beef Kalbi in Seoul but there are plenty of cheaper restaurants around Sinchon and Hongdae.

I first heard about Cheju island from adult students when I first arrived. They kept telling me how great it was and I didn't believe them for a second, in fact I decided there was no way anyone in their right mind would waste their vacation time in any part of Korea when they could go to the Philippines or Thailand etc.

When I finally ended up going to Cheju island I wasn't expecting anything much, so was really pleasantly surprised to find a tropical island with vivid green tropical colours contrasting with twisted volcanic black rock and sand beaches. Go backpacker style on the cheap, by boat, and no-one will try to rip you off. Me and my girlfriend were given a lift by a guy after missing a bus and he took us on a tour of the local sights and then bought us dinner. We went around Udo too and were given fresh caught shellfish with gochujang and local soju by some locals. The hotels and resorts in Seogipo (sp?) did look pretty nice though if you can afford them...

I'd go again any time.

Canadaman · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I've lived in Jeju for 8 years now. Taxis are cheap, buses are cheap and 9000won for Bibimbap is just not possible, (perhaps in a large tourist hotel). Furthermore I've never encountered a hotel (minbak, yeogwan) that cost more than 40,000 won during the tourist season. 100,000 won is the going rate for a taxi tour of the island. This information is readily available at any Cheju tourism website.

Jeju people are generally friendly and honest. On more than one occassion I've had old ladies chase me down the street to return the 100 won coin that I left on the store counter. In the markets the locals will go out of their way to cut the prices for the waygooks.

I don't know what the OP is talking about or where he/she went but it is pure nonsense. Come to Jeju, enjoy yourself, the summer here is awesome.

Canadaman