Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HighTreason]

I am looking for a new job after my current employer shut down operations and is still unable to pay his workers what he owes them. I need to get a job quickly since I won't even have a place to live in a couple weeks and I need a visa to stay in the country. The only job that has contacted me so far on such short notice is a Wonderland branch in Daechidong. I actually already live Daechidong so it's kind of convenient. My interview is tomorrow, but of course everyone knows the bad reputation Wonderland has. I'm just wondering if you guys think this bad reputation is deserved.

I know much of the bad impression among foreigners comes from the popular "Prisoner of Wonderland" site. That is ten years old at this point and can hardly be called relevant. Aside from the unsubstantiated quips ("Wonderland is the Devil" "avoid at all costs" etc) that you can read all over this site, is there anyone who can tell me whether or not Wonderland schools do tend to be bad. Every Korean school (every job, in fact) has people that don't like it and those people tend to be more vocal, so I want to get the real facts before I walk in. There have even been folks that have posted doom and gloom about Avalon and I worked for them for two years at three different branches and thought they were fine.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Big Mac]

You just left a bad situation and you want to take the risk of going into another one? There are lots of jobs out there. Why stoop so low as to take a risk on a Wonderland...especially when you know its reputation?

[Brooksmatic]

I know the guy you will be interviewing with, and while he is a really nice guy, that place is not good. Your coworkers will probably be great, but the job is not good.

Not paid on time, extra classes, etc. etc.. Stressful work environment. Two of my friends got out of there after one year and left Korea because they had such a bad experience working there.

Another guy I know has been sticking it our for awhile and he finally quit, mid-contract, after about 2-3 years of being there. That's how much it sucked.

In conclusion, the head foreigner there, Dave, is a great guy. Some of the people that work there, great people. But, JOB=SHITTY. You will hate it.

[yingwenlaoshi]

I think it would be wonderful! Go for it!

[dirving]

[Wishmaster]

good lord. This is 2009, not 1989. You've got the internet. Simply google "Wonderland"(no, not the murders, the academies in Korea). All that information and you would actually consider working for such a place. Boggles the mind.

[dirving]

Mapo Wonderland has its good points. PM me for first-hand info.

[Manuel_the_Bandito]

And we wonder how Wonderland gets teachers.

[Ramen]

[hamie]

Yeah and I'll tell you the other side of Mapo Wonderland if you like. Every job has it's good and bad points!

[dirving]

[hamie]

Mrs. Park is still there, but unfortunately the nice apartments are long gone. One couple there had a nice set up, but other teachers had to deal with the lack of hot water for the year and apartments that had ice inside during parts of Winter.
The Director there now is really nice, can't say the same for the second in charge. She's a real battle axe and thinks her ideas are the only ones out there and that you should work till you drop. She'll tell you exactly what she thinks but can't handle it when she's on the receiving end.
Not all Wonderlands are terrible as some people would like you to believe, sure this wasn't a great or highly pleasurable job but pay was on time.

[Wishmaster]

Well OP, look at it this way...if you sign with Wonderhell, you are committing high treason against yourself

[dirving]

[hamie]

Sweet!
Thanks for the PM.