Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ghostrider]

A Korea Herald article published in 2000 about some things a Nigerian man experienced here in the 90s:

"The ideology which holds one race superior over the other is a common phenomenon here in Korea. But deep-rooted in everybody's mind is a common question, 'Why can't we live together?' As a foreigner, my first impression of Koreans was of a people who share so many things in common - looks and dress, for instance - and would rather be left alone in their own world, if that was possible.

A lot of foreigners told me about their experience in Korea.

Bob (not his real name) came to Korea with a six-month working visa in the summer of 1997. During his first week in Korea, he decided to go to a swimming pool in Seoul. He got there after several inquiries. There were a lot of people there, some swimming and some about to swim. He changed into his swimming suit and dived into the water. When he emerged, there was nobody left in the pool. All the people in the pool were getting out.

A few days later, he decided to see a little of Korea. He went to the subway station with his camera. When he got inside the train and took a seat, the four people already seated got up and held the overhead rail. He got off and took a bus to the next city. In the bus, he sat down beside a Korean man who was sitting by the window. Immediately, the Korean man brought out a handkerchief from his breast pocket and held it over his nose.

Once he went to an interview for a job he knew he wouldn't get, although his resume was outstanding. But he decided to give it a shot anyway. A teacher in the institution told him that the students' parents wouldn't like their children to be taught by a black man in school. He didn't get the job, but ended up teaching some ambassadors' children a few hours a day.

He met a Korean girl in a coffee shop in Seoul. When she saw his passport, she said she was surprised but also disappointed to discover he wasn't American. He told her that he thought she knew he was Nigerian. She picked up her handbag and left.

After many months in Korea, he again met a Korean girl who decided to marry him but her family opposed it outright. They told the girl to break up with him. When she wouldn't, they coaxed her with money and support and even threatened to disown her.

She turned them down and went to Nigeria with Bob. They got married and had a baby. When they came back to Korea, the girl's family and folks said they would forgive and accept the girl but will never touch or have anything to do with the baby.

Koreans should learn to accept people the way they are and stop classifying people. Because discrimination hurts the body, soul and pride of someone, Koreans should wake up and check the time. We are living in the 21st century."

[Underwaterbob]

[Yaya]

I'd say Koreans were more into karaoke back in the 1990s. You don't really have as many hitting the mic anymore.

[sirius black]

I don't think anyone can dispute that Korea has progressed socially from the 'old days' going by the stories on this thread.

Koreans I talk to have a dichotomy. They desperately want Korea to be even greater econmically and take its place amongst the elite nations. Have the same status Japan did in the '80s and '90s. However, many have a deep fear they will lose their culture if they do. They basically want their cake and eat it too.

Many outside of Seoul see that city as the one place where it can be different and where it can be like many 'global' cities like Tokyo, London, etc, that is diverse and worldly in all things. However, they don't want much of the rest of the country to change its culture.

As far as our experience here, it all depends on a variety of factors. Your personality, your previous experience traveling abroad, where you live in Korea, your willingness to learn the language and become involved amongst other things. You can have two people work in the same school, live in the same building and have two totally different opinions on Korea. Its not for everyone. That's obvious.

[cdninkorea]

[minos]

[rollo]

Gimpo was the International airport. There was still a curfew. Millitary was still in control. Lots less intolerance of foreigners , I remember signing autographs at a middle school for the teachers. Almost no foreign alcoholic beverages. Hakwon bosses were the same stinkers they have not changed. Of course no labor board or public school jobs. It was more foreign less westernized, in some ways more fun.

[Yaya]

[jvalmer]

[Yaya]

[Mikejelai]

All the bars had to close around 11-12 at night, but we could then go to secret shops/bars (usually hidden upstairs somewhere) that would stay open (breaking the law, breaking the law!)

[Yaya]

[cdninkorea]

Did the bars open late ever get busted or raided?

[PatrickGHBusan]

[tardisrider]

This thread brings back so many memories. I was in Korea from 95 to 2009, and the amount of change I saw in that time was incredible.

I recall the bars closing early, and there were many places with a "back door". I never thought of it as a "curfew" as much as just "that's what time the bars have to close"--it's not like you couldn't be outside or anything.

Question for those with a better memory than mine: I recall when all "legal" bars used to close at midnightish, but I can't remember--was the enforced closing time just for bars or was it for everything? I can't remember if the local convenience stores and such were open 24hours back then.