Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JMann923]

So I am leaving for Korea in a few weeks and will be living and working in Ansan. Now I have already been discriminated on due to my size when I was looking for a job. Not only am I 6'5 but i am a pretty "husky" guy. So if there is anyone out there that has any insight into being big in korea I would appreciate it. What I am told is that I will get a lot of stares and points and the kids will call me names like piggy. Is there anything else i should prepare myself for? Am I gonna find it hard to fit in places?

[tob55]

You will have to put up with the stares and the comments. I have dealt with it for 5 years. It all has to do with the Koreans being quite blunt with their comments. I have lost over 150 lbs since coming to Korea, but I am still overweight, and I hear the comments all the time. Blow it off and ignore the people. You can fit in places and people will not necessarily "warm up" to you, but there are some hefty Koreans these days, so I hear the comments much less. Also, it depends on where you are located. I tend to hear fewer comments in Seoul when going their for business. However, in my rural area where I live and work, the comments continue. It is social ignorance regarding what is proper, and I don't take offense at it much anymore unless someone just jumps in my face and makes a point of saying I'm fat. Usually the old ladies sit around and when I walk by they comment. Nothing to worry about unless you are the kind of person who wears their feelings on their sleeve. Good luck.

[phoneboothface]

Ansan is nice, I hope you like it.

tob55s post was spot on. I lost weight after I got here too. Fitting in... well... some aisles in stores are a squeeze and the gimbap places aren't exactly the most roomy establishments but I make it work so you can too.

Or maybe you meant fitting in socially? I don't really do that anywhere so can't help you there.

[PeteJB]

I've always considered myself to be pretty skinny and have always been selfconcious about that. I am tall yet have a naturally small frame. Coming to Korea, my feelings are no different despite being more of a normal size here. But TBH you will get stares NO matter what your weight is, so it really makes no difference in the long run.

[Whitey Otez]

[Hyeon Een]

Play some basketball or (American) Football. You'll probably be the best on the team.

Another good thing: Korean girls love big guys. Don't worry, you won't break them.

[Johnny_Bravo]

[kiknkorea]

^ Agreed. AND plenty of shoes! If you wear bigger than a size 11 (280mm), and I would imagine you do, bring over as many pairs as you will need for the year. Athletic shoes, dress, sandals, boots, etc.

It's not impossible to find big shoes here, but it's far more trouble than it's worth. Bring your own.

[JMann923]

I appreciate all the replies, and I actually feel better about it then I did before. It probably won't get to me to much I think with the name calling because I am a special ed teacher. I worked in a therapeutic school for sever emotional behavioral disorders and they called me much worse.

I hope to lose weight and am looking forward to not having a car and traveling around my city and the country. I am also a pretty social and like able guy and was actually talking about how I think that will help people get past it. So thats something I am glad to hear.

I already figured I needed a ton of clothes and shoes. I am a size 16 shoe so it isn't easy to find shoes here.

Any good tips on losing weight? What kinda of places should I avoid? Other than the american grease pits like mcdonalds and KFC which you will not catch me in EVER! I love Korean food!

[hogwonguy1979]

i'm 6' 4" and for the life of me here i wish i was 4" shorter, you will be considered a freakazoid here so get used to it. they will point and ask "how tall are you etc". One nice thing is when i get in a cab many cab drivers will push the front seat up for me. Its not your waist size that will be a problem getting pants in places like itaewon it will be the length. I have the same problem getting 36" inseam pants in the states that i do here

size 16 shoes? forget about getting them here though you can get dress shoes custom made for around 100k. athletic shoes are a pain I'm a size 12 and its hard to get new running shoes even in itaewon. I'd look into ordering online and having them shipped here if its under $150 no duty is paid

[bundangbabo]

I'm a big bloke - you'll get comments from adjosshis in the gym or on the subway (if you decide to join one) but just tell them to get stuffed... the kids (if they like you...) will never mention it - my weight has probably been mentioned around 10 times by the 1500 students in the 12 months I have taught in the middle school I am currently at... In fact, the teachers have probably been more opinionated on the subject...

As for Korean women - hey - some like a big bloke - I have had stares, attention, valentines gifts etc and these girls have been nice looking - mind you - I do a lot of weights and am not exactly a blob so it all depends who you are and how you carry your weight.

[Johnny_Bravo]

[whiteshoes]

[dporter]

While living in China I lost about 60 lbs in 16 months do mostly to just being more active.

My job in the U.S. was as a desk jockey so getting in front of the classroom for 4 hours a day immediately made for more activity. I went from driving everywhere in the U.S. to walking 45 minutes to school in China. Standing on the subway, bike rides in the evening to go eat, all contributed I think.

The Chinese diet seems to be low on protein (but increasing) but high in vegetables and carbs. As long as your active I think the carbs take care of themselves.

Sadly, after returning to the U.S. the weight came back. I'm back to driving everywhere and sitting behind a desk. Meals are mostly pizza and the occasional salad if I get motivated. Hopefully, Korea will mirror China and I'll drop the weight again.

As a side note - it was rare for a student or person to mention my weight in China. Usually it was an indirect comment that meant no harm.

[Joe Boxer]