Korean Job Discussion Forums

[seoulsucker]

I recently set up the voicemail option on my phone, and needless to say the results I get from Korean friends and associates can be rather amusing.

As an American, I was brought up on answering machines and voicemail. At home, on my mobile, at work, etc. It just seems to be a polite, efficient way to convey a brief message. Here, they just pick up and call again repeatedly until you answer. If you don't call back in a reasonable amount of time it can cause problems.

I guess I have two questions. First, for those of you from other countries, is voicemail a popular feature? Second, when/why did Korean companies decide to omit this feature from most phones and telecom systems here?

Can any of you think of some cultural reason that it just doesn't work here?

Any insight?