Korean Job Discussion Forums

[leebumsucked]

Daniel Language Center operates an after school program in Seoul, Incheon, Cheonan, Oesong, Hwanseo and Seonghwan. He also may be opening schools in Busan. He previously had schools in Daejeon, Asan and Dangjin.

Other names for his school may be Daniel English, Daniel Hagwon, or Daniel Learning Center, or 다니엘학원. It is owned by, probably, one of the most self-absorbed, arrogant, and abusive bosses in Korea. Lee Beom Seok (이범석).

I worked for him for 4.5 months, which seems to be about the average time for employees.

While working for him, I was continually paid a week late. My first pay check was 8 days late. I received no healthcare, no pension, and no paystub. On Tuesday and Thursday, I traveled 4 hours round trip and never received the promised compensation for my travel. I am also unsure if my taxes were paid. My work week totaled well over 50 hours per week.

I risked deportation working for him, as I worked at 5 different addresses which is illegal under the E2 visa.

He also doesn't give an end of contract bonus and didn't pay employees promised bonuses for extra work.

He continually harassed me and other teachers about our teaching ability.

I decided to end my employment with him when, suddenly without warning, he told me, on pay day that he wouldn't pay me for the entire month of July for a completely bogus reason. After that he convinced another employee to go home without a bonus, and decided he could, once again, pay me.


When I first received the details of my job it told me I would be working for "Korea Afterschool Academy of Continuing Education" at Seonghwan Public Elementary. When I checked what contract I was working under at Immigration, he simply crossed out �Korea Afterschool Academy of Continuing Education� and put in �Daniel hagwon�.

So how did I find this job? Through a shady recruiter named �GNBgate� The two recruiters that work for GNBgate are Katie Kim and Bryan Choi. I would encourage anyone to not contract through them as they placed 3 foreign teachers with this awful hagwon. I repeatedly e-mailed Katie Kim about finding me a new job and she ignored all of my e-mails, leaving me high and dry

When I first agreed to the contract that Katie Kim offered, I was told I would be in Seoul. When she received all my documents (Background check, etc.), she told me the job fell through and that I would have to work in Cheonan instead.

So in conclusion, if you get your visa and in the remarks section it says 다니엘학원, do not board the plane. Sit your ass down. He just had two foreign teachers quit on him so he is probably looking for someone to immediately fill the position

Once again his name is Lee Beom Seok (이범석)
The possible names he operates under after:
Daniel English
Daniel Hagwon
Daniel Learning Center
Daniel Language Center

You can see additional complaints here:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2749744

[Joe Boxer]

Thanks for the warning.

Lol at your username!

[Troglodyte]

I'm not sure whether too feel more sorry for you for being treated badly, or for your employer for having been given the name Bum Suck.

[YTMND]

He changed his name to Daniel, everything's alright now.

[Weigookin74]

I've been reading these type of posts over and over again. Before coming here, find out how western union works if your family can send money or have a credit card that can work in Korea. The minute you are not paid on time or endure any amount of verbal abuse, walk away. Learn the procedures for a visa run to Japan, where you can stay, and have two sets of documents. Have a plan "B". Staying and enduring these scumbags aren't worth it. The minute they scream at you, scream back. They minute they strand you, harass them. The minute they give no pay stub with a lame excuse, go to the labor board. No pay, no teach. Go to work and sit there but do no classes. Throw your weight around. If they threaten you with violence, police and labor board. (Try to record it if possible for proof.) Or if you can handle yourself well threaten them back and make sure it's not recorded.

Too many scumbag hogwon owners know that some of you came here with no money and that you don't have a plan B. So, they exploit you because they can. If we all prepare ourselves and collectively don't put up with it, then they'll change.

[eleruen]

I worked for him as well, summer 2010.

He also operates under ElandEdu.

I replaced a teacher who quit due to pregnancy, and I had a contract for a couple of months during the summer, as I needed a part time job to fund my Korean langugage studies.

He did not pay me any of my final salary. I chased him through the labor board, and got the money in the end.

It makes me sick that this (insert word as appropriate) is still at large.

Someone should report him to the education office ( I should have done at the time, looking back, but its too late now). Then again, by changing his business name all time, it could be that the authorities have not gathered enough complaints against him to warrant a ban at the education office.

This sort of person should not be working in the education field, or any other field for that matter!!!

[luckylady]

[some waygug-in]

don't for a minute think it's just an anti-foreigner bias because that's what they want you and others to think. they are cut-throat, unscrupulous businessmen who do dirty deals and backstab everyone they possibly can.

(quote) above poster.

This is only part of the picture; the whole truth is that foreigners (especially

nooobs) are easy pickin's for them. Usually a newbie is clueless about what

to do or who to talk to. That's why they love hiring noobs.

Yes, they do try to exploit their Korean staff, but the Korean staff are more able to defend themselves.

[luckylady]

[some waygug-in]

You're right that Koreans often choose not to complain.

But what I meant was; if and when they do decide to complain, they

are in a much better position to get results than weigukins.

They know the language, they understand the culture and know where to go

for help. They also don't have all the visa issues to deal with.

I have been told that people who stand up to bosses or complain are viewed as extremely selfish in Korean culture.

I guess that may be one reason why they have such a low opinion of most foreigners.

[eleruen]

some waygug-in,

Its not the same as being fluent in Korean, but the English speaking-counsellors are happy to act as a translator over the phone if you have a language barrier with the Labor Board staff.

Here's the number: 031 345 5000.

Also, if the worst comes to the worst, and you have to fight in court, as of a couple of years ago (yes, that late), foreign nationals are able to access translators through the Labor Board for free.

I don't know whether you could extend your stay to fight for this length of time, though...unless you have some spare cash to allow you to come back as a tourist....and it is financially worth while doing this. If you got another job, it is unlikely you will have the time off to be able to deal with whatever problem comes up with former employers.

In the UK, many people will also see you as selfish/histrionic/trouble making if you complain against your employer, but the most important thing is that you get your basic rights fullfilled, no matter what other people think, and no matter which country you are in. And believe me, many Koreans do complain, usually those working outside of the education field, such as advertising, design and engineering ( from speaking to Koreans in these fields). It could be a subculture thing....I find people in certain job fields, such as a education a bit backwards and/or narrow-minded (not just in Korea!).