Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Darkray16]

I remember seeing a thread a little while ago where everyone said they would have brought more deodorant if they could have.
Some said they would bring a dozen sticks of it.
Is there a reason you guys dont like buying it in Korea? Too expensive?

The reason i'm asking is that i will be leaving for korea in a week and am deciding on what to bring(the rest of the stuff i plan to donate or put into storage.
Im worried that i might not have enough rooms. I have like 5 jackets i wil bring and a few of them rae pretty heavy. But if theres a big problem with deodorant in Korea, like being expensive, i'd rather buy a bunch of sticks here and bring them to save money for when summer time rolls around.

Also any suggestions for must-bring items?

[wylies99]

Because deodorant and other personal items like shaving cream and razors are MUCH more expensive in Korea.

[Chet Wautlands]

It really depends on a few things.

Where will you be living? If you are in Seoul, you can hop on the subway and go to a number of places to buy it. If you are in Changwon, you'll have a harder time.

Do you have a specific type of deodorant that you prefer? You probably won't find "your" brand here.

As far as how expensive it is, I've seen Old Spice for 5000 won. That might be a bit more expensive than back home, but really, it won't kill you. If deodorant lasts you at least a month, a 5000 won purchase is nothing.

[driftingfocus]

Because it's expensive when you can find it, and it's difficult to find outside the major metro areas like Seoul and Busan.

[wylies99]

[DrOctagon]

5 jackets? Do you really need 5 jackets? Pick your 3 favorite and most essential ones and leave two behind.

If you have a certain brand of deodorant that you prefer then bring them with you. If you lack room then bring 6 and see how long that'll last you. If you seem to be running out and there are still a few months left then have someone from home send you a few more.

[moosehead]

when you do find your brand chances are it's a small size, overpriced and not exactly what you wanted.

when I was in Thailand I bought Ban sticks, large size. Then in Taiwan, same thing. why you can't buy it here I have no idea - really stupid.

the small sticks they have here for women are a joke. I work out and I sweat. I want a good deodorant - and I'm sure people around me appreciate it as well.

[Mr. Pink]

Simple really: Koreans don't use the stuff. Thus, it is hard to find, especially if you have a preference to one type of brand or scent.

Before bringing 5 jackets, I would stock up and bring 12 sticks of your favorite deodorant. Why? I would rather buy a jacket in Korea and smell good, than have too many jackets and stink.

BTW why do you need 5 jackets? Are you talking suit jackets? You will only need 1 of those...and they can be made in Korea for a pretty good price.

[Darkray16]

Well the Walgreens near my place sells it for like 5dollars for 16/20oz.
Is that about the same as Korea?
BTW I will be going to Busan.

[pcs0325]

This may be hard to believe, but you don't need it.

Yeah, Koreans don't use the stuff. And it fucks up your dress shirts. So that got me thinking, "Why the hell do I need it?" And now I've gone without it for almost three months.

Granted, you'll need to take a shower every day and make sure your clothes are clean. And maybe being on a Korean diet helps to smell like a Korean and fit in.

I can kinda smell myself throughout the day, but I've asked a coworker close to me to point out if she can ever smell me and she's said that she can't.

You don't need the deodarant. Well, maybe during the summer. I stopped using it sometime between Fall and Winter.

[ontheway]

If you shower daily and eat a more typical Korean diet, cut out the red meat and dairy products, and eat a lot of veggies, garlic, gochu and kimchi, you will find that you really don't need deodorant in Korea.

[scorpiocandy]

Hm I beg to differ on the "you don't need it" part.

I've found that a lot of Western men here think that and in the Winter its OK.
But come summertime and you DEFINTELY do need it. Too often I've worked with men who suddenly assume they've developed the Koreans' physiology and don't need deodorant.

The last guy i worked with smelled so bad, even the korean teachers complained about him.

OP, you can find deodorant here but if you're worried about the cost just bring 2 or 3 and have someone mail you whatever you need.

[Ginormousaurus]

[losing_touch]

I can't speak for Busan, but I can tell you that you cannot find the stuff in Ulsan.

[Mr. Pink]