Korean Job Discussion Forums

cayce23 · Joined: 19 Mar 2010 Location: Gwangju, South Korea

Have you ever heard of a company forcing their employees to sing, dance, and do a talent show for the boss for a holiday party?

My hagwon does this twice a year for a sports day event. This year, they're doing it for a holiday party during the busiest time of our year. We're forced to come in early for a week (we already work 9 hours a day, and in two weeks, we'll work 10 hours a day) and learn a song and dance to perform at a party, which is on a Saturday.

To me, forced fun is not fun. What would you do in this situation?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

cayce23 · Joined: 19 Mar 2010 Location: Gwangju, South Korea

Yeah. We did.

Then we were told it's tradition and it's mandatory.

We were also asked to rent $100 gowns and tuxedos. Luckily, we fought that one hard enough. Though the owner of the company mentioned foreigners just shouldn't come if we don't want to do what he says.

It's caused a huge uproar and rift between foreigners and Koreans in the last week.

Julius · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

cayce23 · Joined: 19 Mar 2010 Location: Gwangju, South Korea

Swampfox10mm · Joined: 24 Mar 2011

Find the quote about them being woken up at 3am to drink and party with the koreans.

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

A friend of mine is an attorney for a top Korean law firm and was pressed into singing a choral number for the firm's anniversary party. It's a drag but it's not worth making a stink over. You will still have to do it. However, I don't blame you for drawing the line at an expensive formal rental. If the school wants everyone to look alike, the school should pick up the cost. Otherwise, they should just ask everyone to follow a dress code.

koreatimes · Joined: 07 Jun 2011

Just go in and sing the worst you can, make sure everyone can hear you. Then stop. They won't ask you to sing again.

Then, dance like those SNL guys from the movie Night at the Roxbury.

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjc3MDc4NDI4.html

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjc3MDc4Njcy.html

BananaBan · Joined: 16 Nov 2011

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

Just about every Korean company does this kind of 'team building' event, and not just once a year. It always gets me how much money and time is invested in these events when 90% of employees simply don't want to go to them. I can guarantee that most of your Korean co-workers are fearing the show of shame as much of you.

My take on it is that you either suck it up, play along and go, or if you are so resistant to going, and if you don't mind putting your job on the line or having your cards marked (or a sub-par exit reference), say no.

I've known people who've had wedding invites scheduled for 'that day' fabricated with elaborate excuses to cover their 'no' responses. But generally if they get out of one event, they can't really get out of the next.

english puppet · Joined: 04 Nov 2011

You'd think a culture that so resented having another country's culture and language (Japanese) jammed down its throat would be just a tad more sensitive about forcing others to follow their culture. I guess I'm hoping for too much.

Pinehurst · Joined: 14 Aug 2011

Don't go. Say you are sick if you have to.

Gorf · Joined: 25 Jun 2011

Explosive diarrhea every time you belt a tune. No one will want you to sing.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

No one can use you unless YOU let them.
What is wrong with saying..."NO!"
What is wrong with telling the man...I won't do it and end of conversation!
I don't get it....but then again....I have no problem in standing my ground and not being diplomatic about it!

radcon · Joined: 23 May 2011

If you must do the act, in the middle of your song pull people from the audience to come up and participate. Yes Im talking about the boss. Go grab him from his seat, get everyone clapping in encouragement, chanting his name, and make him come up and shame himself.