Korean Job Discussion Forums

Zen Forever · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

Has anyone evr lived on jeju? Know about what its like, things to do, not to do? I've been offered a good job over there and am trying to make up my mind on whether to go Pusan or Jeju. My ultimate aim is money. Cool

I hear there are more opportunities for 'private lessons' in Pusan but I know a job with a hagwon in P wouldn't be as cozy as the opportunity offered to me in J. And I'm afraid I might be bored in jeju. Help!!!!

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: South Korea

Pusan any day of the week. You can always catch a ferry to Jeju from Busan and take a bike or car with you and do a trip around Jeju when you have time off.From Busan you have train links to lots of great places. Bad jobs are plentiful on Jeju so check out any place properly before you make a bad move.

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

If it is money, and this is Korea, then cozy is good.

iammac2002 · Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Location: 'n Beter plek.

Is Jeju big enough to do privates without everyone knowing about it?

roadwork · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Location: Goin' up the country

If you want to get the skinny on Jeju, pm the poster The Great Toad. He lived there for a few years and knows it pretty well.

red_devil · Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Location: Korea

Living at Jeju is like living in Vegas. Good for a few months, than a nightmarish hell of boring.

GoldMember · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

It must be good! It IS the Hawaii of Korea. How do I know? I saw it on Arirang TV and they never exaggerate or tell lies.

iammac2002 · Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Location: 'n Beter plek.

I was there for a few days during my vacation. It looked so pretty, so relaxing, so green... then I got bored after the second day... no restaurants or anything close by -really a place for old people who want a nice quiet relaxing vacation.

Yeah, I would enjoy it there for a while, then probably quit to get back to Seoul. One visit to Love Land and the Teddy Bear Museum and what have you are good enough.

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

I've lived here in Jeju for over 4 years and I can think of only one thing that would take me back to the mainland...better schools (ie. International Schools) for my daughter.

Here are some questions to answer when deciding...

1) Do you want to get drunk every night at a different bar?

2) Do you want to sleep with as many women (Korean and foreign) as possible without anyone knowing about it?

3) Do you want to work illegally without anyone knowing about it?

4) Do you want to go to western-style fast food places every night of the week?

5) Do you want to live in a big city with lots and lots and lots and lots...and lots of people?

If you answered "yes" to 3 or more of those questions, DON'T COME TO JEJU.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me or e-mail at kprrok @ gmail . com and I'll answer what I can.

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

>Living at Jeju is like living in Vegas. Good for a few months, than a nightmarish hell of boring.

Hehe.. I lived in Vegas for three years, and it was boring hell within a few days, not months.

Jejudo is nice for a weekend getaway, but for quality of life I will take Busan. To me Jeju is isolated and lacks western amenities. When I was there it was so hard to find anything to eat other than seafood! I would rather live in Busan and be a two-hour KTX ride from Seoul.

I realize many people love Jeju, and that's fine. But if your only consideration is money, do check out this job offer carefully, as Jeju jobs have a reputation for poor pay.

Ken:>

mattocmd · Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Location: Busan

I am on my second contract in Korea. My first year was in Busan in Gwangalli Beach and my current contract is in Seogwipo on Jeju Island.

You said your primary concern is money and if that is the case than you would be better off in Busan. The jobs pay more and if you want to teach privates then you have a much better opportunity there.

As far as quality of life goes, Jeju is much much better. I found Busan to be pretty boring (except for the fantastic nightlife). The beaches are over-crowded in the summer and the water is polluted.

Jeju is a beautiful island and is a million times cleaner than Busan. I am happy enjoying the beaches, hiking, surrounding islands, fishing, and one beach gets pretty good waves. Jeju city actually has some nightlife but it is a small island and the pool of foreigners is relatively small. My city of Seogwipo has only two foreigner style bars and no McDonalds or western food chains.

I guess it depends on your desired lifestyle. If you are looking to party and get laid then go to Busan. If you want a laid back lifestyle and natural beauty then come to Jeju.

If you need any more info then just send me an email or ask me via this thread.

gartonator · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: NYC today, Seoul asap

You guys cleared up the Busan/Jeju debate pretty well I think... Busan DOES have an amazing nightlife, doesn't it? It wasn't just me...

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

Can anyone be a bit more specific about the amazing Busan nightlife? I go there once a month or so on work related stuff but have only been to the university area a couple of times, which was a 12,000 won taxi ride from the train station and as far as I could find has only one expat bar with a pool table downstairs and a live band upstairs on a Saturday. What else is going on in Busan?

gartonator · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: NYC today, Seoul asap

there are many areas in Busan to party, but I wasn't referring to foreigner bars... I went to Champion, the big-show/Korean style night club one night (supposedly you need to be 25 to get in) and just caroused the city and found a lot of stuff that seemed pretty fascinating, just the layout and hustle of Korean life there seemed a bit more festive and the Russian town adds some mystique, but be careful there!

mattocmd · Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Location: Busan

In my opinion Busan has an amazing nightlife. Here are the areas to check out:

Gwangalli Beach: In the summer they close off the beach street and set up tables. Everyone drinks and has a good time (reminds me of a cookout back home).

Kyungsung/PNU - two university areas with tons of bars and clubs. Usually a very good ratio of women both foreign and open minded Korean girls Wink

Seomyeon - the area that reminds me of Vegas. Large crowds and really lit up at night. Lots of good bars and clubs here too. Foreigner only casinos here as well that give free drinks and free buffets. I never went to the casino but I knew foreigners who would go there for a free breakfast buffet after a night of drinking.

Texas Street - lol stay away. Bunch of 50-60 year old hookers and shady alleys. No one hangs out here. Awful area! Maybe worth going once to get a laugh.

Haeundae beach area/newtown - also worth mentioning with lots of bars and a few clubs.

If you choose to live in Busan I would suggest one of the above areas (except Texas street/Busan station). As long as you are near one of those you'll meet plenty of foreigners and have access to good nightlife.