Korean Job Discussion Forums

hxnxymxn · Joined: 08 Aug 2010

So I'm not a big drinker, not a big spender, not a big dancer. I have certain hobbies and pet projects that will occupy my time. I've decided to consider contracts in rural areas for these reasons and more (read: I'm getting impatient waiting for an offer in a mid-sized city).

The only problem with rural positions that I can think of is that I won't be able to meet Korean girls.

Now I'm not some sexpot. I don't harbor illusions of walking into a club and and having nightly action or anything like that.

I just want to keep hope alive. And that involves going to places where I can potentially flirt with Korean girls on weekend nights.

Is this possible in rural areas?
Should I be more patient and wait for something in a medium sized city?
What is the exact numeric population to accomodate my interest in the fairer sex? 300,000? 500,000?
Is it shallow and unreasonable to even consider this as part of my decision?

0ju · Joined: 30 Sep 2009

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

you will have better odds in the rural areas dude..
less competition and you will be more of a novelty..

redaxe · Joined: 01 Dec 2008

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

From what I hear, there really aren't many women in rural Korea between the ages of 20 to elderly (the ones younger than that are in school, and the middle-aged and up women have always been there). Plus, you'd have trouble keeping your private life secret. I think it'd be worth weekend trips to a larger city to meet women if you're living in the countryside. Or maybe I'm wrong (in Korea, I've only ever lived in Seoul).

jacksthirty · Joined: 30 Nov 2009

Having lived in the countryside I can offer a little advice.

Forget about meeting girls in a club. There won't be any clubs!

It's true about there not being too many younger girls around but you will find that there are quite a few that work and live in the small towns during the week, and on the weekend they'll go back to their family home. Public school teachers and government workers are the ones you should, cough, target.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Best make friends with your coworkers and hope they set you up on dates with people they know.

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

The farmhands will test your back so you must beware.

WadRUG'naDoo · Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Location: Shanghai

Hooker Hill.

hxnxymxn · Joined: 08 Aug 2010

Thanks for feedback, bros. Candid, earnest or cryptic, I appreciate the advice.

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Corinthians · Joined: 10 Aug 2010

My girlfriend grew up in some small farming town in Jeolla Province, even though she was born in Seoul. I guess you could consider her a small-town girl even though she vehemently denies it. She eventually went to Seoul for university and work due to lack of opportunities where she was and she hated the place.

More often than not, the small-town girls will leave the first chance they get and go to Seoul or some other major city. So it�ll be difficult to meet someone at your age range. And if you do end up meeting someone and it gets serious enough where you�ll end up meeting the parents, then that will be a whole different animal. Korean parents are fickle when it comes to their girls dating foreign guys. It will be fickle-cubed if they�re in a small town.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

OP. There are many reasons for teaching in the Korean countryside: low level students, teaching staff that are petrified of the 'foreigner' teacher, social isolation, linquisitic isolation, basic rice and kimchi meals (everyday), complete cultural dislocation and isolation, 'vocational' students that are bused out daily from the nearby cities because these 'students' are rejected by city high schools, and how could we forget the STARING - but hey, the fishin's good.

However good the fishn' is, you would have to be out of your mind to come to a rural area and think that you are going to be dating K girls. The ones that can, flee at uni age - or go work in a city factory. The rest have their hair cut off and are married. No body speaks Englisheeee, and even if you met a girl in the country, you couldn't speak to her on the street, or anywhere in the town, as the local adjoshis (40+ K men) and adjumas (older married women) would literally come and stand over you both (until she got the message she's not supposed to be talking to foreigners).

Sounds harsh. Mate, I live this nonsense every day. Thankfully, only 6 months to go (or sooner).

Good luck in rural Korea.
PS: What does EPIK stand for? Exciled to the Provinces In Korea.