Korean Job Discussion Forums

charliebrown84 · Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: Daegu, South Korea

So I'm a week away from leaving for Korea and have most things squared away. A question I wanted to ask was the general feeling I might get if I come out as gay while over there. I won't be doing that with my boss, but with other people I meet, will it cause a problem with Koreans or the other foreign teachers? Just wondering how far in the closet I have to be over there...

8minutepopsong · Joined: 02 Aug 2009

from my experience with korean people and to my knowledge, and also generally speaking, they aren't very open to homosexuality but I COULD BE WRONG. i'd err on the side of caution until you meet someone you can REALLY TRUST

Kurtz · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Location: ples bilong me

Koreans in general aren't very open minded, so I'd keep it to myself if I was you.

Just a question, why make an issue of it at all? can't you function in normal society without having to explain your sexuality for no apparent reason?

I'm sure there are gay scenes in Seoul, just hunt them out and live your life, no need to flaunt your sexual orientation.

kabrams · Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Location: your Dad's house

sjk1128 · Joined: 04 Feb 2005

Here are links to some threads that I participated in in the past that may have relevant information:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=40513&highlight=
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=68154&highlight=
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=100279&highlight=
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=151004&highlight=
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=162783&highlight=

Things haven't changed that much in the last 5 years.

Good luck.

andrewchon · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:30 pm Post subject:

Korea doesn't really care whether you are gay or not. They care if you are:
1. communist
2. trade unionist
3. non-100% Korean
4. a bastard (born out of wedlock)
5. fat
6. ugly
7. didn't do national service
8. smell bad
9. Japanese
10. Chinese
11. American (USA)
12. Divorced
13. parents are divorced
14. soy-sauce groin
15. etc

Homosexuality is very, very far down on the list.
It's about as interesting as "I am a muslim.", "I have a pimple on my butt.", "My daughter got a first prize for singing in her kindergarten class.", etc.
Homosexuality will be used to discriminate against you, but there are many things before that will be used against you.

http://www.utopia-asia.com/korlife1.htm
http://asktheexpat.blogspot.com/2009/08/gay-teachers-in-south-korea-should-they.html

In your case, giving students 'ddongchim' would be bad. I'd advise you never do that at school.

kabrams · Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Location: your Dad's house

Bondrock · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: ^_^

A few years back there was a gay male on our staff. I knew right away as did some other foreigners. We all advised him to not tell any students or Korean admins.

Koreans are pretty small-minded about sexuality. My advice is don't tell the boss and be very discreet with your partner.

wakingup · Joined: 20 May 2009

If you're a man, I absolutely would not tell anyone. (Of course, even if you're very obviously gay in the West, Korean people won't suspect it. I think Korean culture just pretends it doesn't exist.) I would bet on you getting fired if they found out.

For women, I think it's less risky, but still a 50/50 shot of getting fired for it, so why tell anyone? I have a met a few gay folks here, there are some gay bars in Itaewon and Hongdae, but, really, I wouldn't let anyone at work know unless you really really grow to trust them.

asylum seeker · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Location: On your computer screen.

jinks · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Location: Formerly: Lower North Island

tremendous · Joined: 12 Aug 2009

I always suspected Charlie Brown was gay.

giraffe · Joined: 07 Apr 2009

I dont even think koreans would be able to figure out your gay or not unless you started making out with a guy in public. However the other english teachers would though. Many korean guys in korea come across as being gay but they're not... Like someone else said, its at the bottom of the list of the things theyll judge you for. If they do happen to find out, i suppose it might cause some problems but who knows.

gaffe · Joined: 06 Aug 2009 Location: N.C.

I had a big strapping student who was chummy with an effeminate student in my adult class. He always referred to him as "my boyfriend" in English. I didn't know what to think but refrained from asking. I'm glad I did because they were both straight and I got the feeling later were also homophobic. Lots of weird remarks about gays in class. I wouldn't mention it to boss or students.

the oak llama · Joined: 05 Dec 2008