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Anakaren152
Joined: 09 Jun 2013
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 Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 9:49 am Post subject: GEPIK- Why am I not getting interviewed? |
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Hello everyone (first post!  )!
I am interested in teaching English in Korea for Fall 2013. I decided to go along with the GEPIK program since it is close to Seoul and it is near my friends who currently live in Korea.
I have been working with Korvia because I heard great reviews from them. I have all my documents ready to be sent, but that can't be done unless I am accepted by a school first.
I know the end of June is when most of the hiring is done for the program, but I am losing hope in getting a job for GEPIK. I have been having a few communication issues with my recruiter ( I had to redo my introduction video 3 times, since each time apparently there was something wrong with my approach. She was very vague about it and she is also slow in responding to emails).
Maybe I am just naive? Is there just too much competition? I just graduated from a great university. I am TSEOL certified and I have taught English before to two French students while I was studying abroad. On top of all that, I love Korean culture and I want to experience it first hand.
I am very worried I will not get hired at all. All the schools I have been introduced to, have not shown interest to interview me. At first I was getting introduced to schools right by Seoul (Anyang, Goyang, etc.), and now I am getting introduced to schools that are very far away (Pyeongtaek, for example). Should I just use more than one recruiter? Is it too late for me to get hired in a decent location? Am I running out of time? For anyone who was hired through GEPIK, how was your application/hiring process like?
Any input would be great! Thank you! |
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robbie_davies
Joined: 16 Jun 2013
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:16 am Post subject: Re: GEPIK- Why am I not getting interviewed? |
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| Anakaren152 wrote: |
Hello everyone (first post! )!
I am interested in teaching English in Korea for Fall 2013. I decided to go along with the GEPIK program since it is close to Seoul and it is near my friends who currently live in Korea.
I have been working with Korvia because I heard great reviews from them. I have all my documents ready to be sent, but that can't be done unless I am accepted by a school first.
I know the end of June is when most of the hiring is done for the program, but I am losing hope in getting a job for GEPIK. I have been having a few communication issues with my recruiter ( I had to redo my introduction video 3 times, since each time apparently there was something wrong with my approach. She was very vague about it and she is also slow in responding to emails).
Maybe I am just naive? Is there just too much competition? I just graduated from a great university. I am TSEOL certified and I have taught English before to two French students while I was studying abroad. On top of all that, I love Korean culture and I want to experience it first hand.
I am very worried I will not get hired at all. All the schools I have been introduced to, have not shown interest to interview me. At first I was getting introduced to schools right by Seoul (Anyang, Goyang, etc.), and now I am getting introduced to schools that are very far away (Pyeongtaek, for example). Should I just use more than one recruiter? Is it too late for me to get hired in a decent location? Am I running out of time? For anyone who was hired through GEPIK, how was your application/hiring process like?
Any input would be great! Thank you! |
We would need to see the video, I doubt there is anything wrong with your video and it is being used as an excuse to waste your time.
If I remember - if you put in more than another application to GEPIK with a different recruiter, you get disqualified from the application process unless that has changed.
So, you are in a bit of a quandry, pick from what they have left to offer - Pyongatek isn't great, but it isn't terrible, it is not on the subway line but you can get buses to and from where your friends are.
Once you are on the ground, then you can negotiate a job in a place to your liking for your next contract. Sometimes - you need to take the scenic route where you want to go.
What won't happen is forcing the arm of Korvia, I found them to be vastly overrated and in cahoots with a NET blacklist - nasty pieces of work that they are.  |
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maximmm
Joined: 01 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:12 am Post subject: Re: GEPIK- Why am I not getting interviewed? |
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| robbie_davies wrote: |
What won't happen is forcing the arm of Korvia, I found them to be vastly overrated and in cahoots with a NET blacklist - nasty pieces of work that they are. |
Why, what happened?
I know that Korvia doesn't force people to do introduction videos - especially 3 times. In fact, Korvia is one of the better recruiting agencies out there - I'm basing this on my experience.
To the OP - it is possible to switch agencies while applying for GEPIK, but you'd need to request your current agency to cancel the existing application and only then can you resubmit the application with another agency. You might want to explain to the other agency the overall situation prior to the switch.
In fact, ideally you'd want to work with an agency which has been chosen by GEPIK as one of its designated recruiting agencies. GEPIK usually posts the list of these agencies on its site - though I do not see one now.
Likewise, you might want to apply directly through GEPIK (again, you'd need to cancel the existing application with your current agency before doing so) - http://cge.ken.go.kr/contents/m_online_application_eng/main_regist.asp |
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robbie_davies
Joined: 16 Jun 2013
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:18 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK- Why am I not getting interviewed? |
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| maximmm wrote: |
| robbie_davies wrote: |
What won't happen is forcing the arm of Korvia, I found them to be vastly overrated and in cahoots with a NET blacklist - nasty pieces of work that they are. |
Why, what happened?
I know that Korvia doesn't force people to do introduction videos - especially 3 times. In fact, Korvia is one of the better recruiting agencies out there - I'm basing this on my experience.
To the OP - it is possible to switch agencies while applying for GEPIK, but you'd need to request your current agency to cancel the existing application and only then can you resubmit the application with another agency. You might want to explain to the other agency the overall situation prior to the switch.
In fact, ideally you'd want to work with an agency which has been chosen by GEPIK as one of its designated recruiting agencies. GEPIK usually posts the list of these agencies on its site - though I do not see one now.
Likewise, you might want to apply directly through GEPIK (again, you'd need to cancel the existing application with your current agency before doing so) - http://cge.ken.go.kr/contents/m_online_application_eng/main_regist.asp |
Yes! I was interviewed for a PS job in the part of the city where the pink and purple subway lines are. I really liked it there, more gritty and less plastic. Not many people liked it around there but I would have been quite happy to move there.
Anyway, it was all on and then Korvia - or the woman who was interviewing me wanted to speak to my co-teacher and she proceeded to rip me a new arsehole. So - I never heard off Korvia again and went home.
About 6 months later, I got wind that I was on this blacklist (can't tell you how for now) and was sent a copy of my profile on why I was on the blacklist. All lies, all bullshite - so I wrote a letter to the school, Korvia and the blacklist threatening legal action and the co-teacher wrote an email - I have to say this - she should be embarrassed that she wrote that email but it was a begging email about how she didn't write it and she is scared of losing her job etc. Lacking any decency or dignity and of course lying through her teeth so she could save her own worthless skin.
The fact I got my completion letter of good conduct from the school didn't seem to make much difference to Korvia, they just believed everything the co teacher said and stuck me on the blacklist, I am sure a few teachers from around that time wondered why they couldn't get a job after being interviewed by Korvia. Disgraceful - and if I ever went back to Korea to teach - I would put Korvia and the school in court for libel. I have all the evidence but I don't think I will be going back to Korea in this lifetime.  |
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Anakaren152
Joined: 09 Jun 2013
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:38 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK- Why am I not getting interviewed? |
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| maximmm wrote: |
I know that Korvia doesn't force people to do introduction videos - especially 3 times. In fact, Korvia is one of the better recruiting agencies out there - I'm basing this on my experience.
To the OP - it is possible to switch agencies while applying for GEPIK, but you'd need to request your current agency to cancel the existing application and only then can you resubmit the application with another agency. You might want to explain to the other agency the overall situation prior to the switch.
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Korvia recently stated that it is required for all GEPIK applicants to submit videos now. They claim that most public schools prefer in person interviews, to those who are already living in Korea, thus making the video is the only way to compete with them.
The funny this is that I never submitted the actual GEPIK application to them, they said I should submit it along with my signed contract. (Is this weird?) All they have currently is my resume, video, and a digital copy of my TESOL certificate.
So should I be able to use multiple recruiters without a problem? Do you think it is a bad idea to just contact the head recruiter at Korvia and express my concerns? |
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Anakaren152
Joined: 09 Jun 2013
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK- Why am I not getting interviewed? |
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Sorry for the double post! I'm having trouble figuring out how to place 2 different quotes into one post.
| Anakaren152 wrote: |
We would need to see the video, I doubt there is anything wrong with your video and it is being used as an excuse to waste your time.
If I remember - if you put in more than another application to GEPIK with a different recruiter, you get disqualified from the application process unless that has changed.
So, you are in a bit of a quandry, pick from what they have left to offer - Pyongatek isn't great, but it isn't terrible, it is not on the subway line but you can get buses to and from where your friends are.
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I will post my 3rd and latest video.
My 2nd one was denied due to the fact that I was exposing my shoulders in the video.
The 3rd one I tried to focus on my love for Korean culture and music, talked about my work experiences, and how to deal with classroom conflicts. I am a person who loves to experience different cultures and I wanted to emphasize that. My recruiters said the schools thought that I wasn't serious about teaching with this video.
After talking with my recruiter, she said I should focus on my teaching philosophy, passion of teaching, and lesson planning. So I redid it. I was a bit angry at the fact she did not state this earlier, it would've saved a lot of time, frustration, and possibly jobs. I don't know if my frustration showed through this video, but I definitely do not want to make another one.
The job in Pyongatek, I assume they did not want to interview me either, since the recruiter never followed up with me.
EDIT: Links removed
EDIT: VIdeo links added again
EDIT: Videos removed
Last edited by Anakaren152 on Thu Jun 27, 2013 3:43 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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robbie_davies
Joined: 16 Jun 2013
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:10 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK- Why am I not getting interviewed? |
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| Anakaren152 wrote: |
Sorry for the double post! I'm having trouble figuring out how to place 2 different quotes into one post.
| Anakaren152 wrote: |
We would need to see the video, I doubt there is anything wrong with your video and it is being used as an excuse to waste your time.
If I remember - if you put in more than another application to GEPIK with a different recruiter, you get disqualified from the application process unless that has changed.
So, you are in a bit of a quandry, pick from what they have left to offer - Pyongatek isn't great, but it isn't terrible, it is not on the subway line but you can get buses to and from where your friends are.
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I will post my 3rd and latest video.
My 2nd one was denied due to the fact that I was exposing my shoulders in the video.
The 3rd one I tried to focus on my love for Korean culture and music, talked about my work experiences, and how to deal with classroom conflicts. I am a person who loves to experience different cultures and I wanted to emphasize that. My recruiters said the schools thought that I wasn't serious about teaching with this video.
After talking with my recruiter, she said I should focus on my teaching philosophy, passion of teaching, and lesson planning. So I redid it. I was a bit angry at the fact she did not state this earlier, it would've saved a lot of time, frustration, and possibly jobs. I don't know if my frustration showed through this video, but I definitely do not want to make another one.
Here it is:
The job in Pyongatek, I assume they did not want to interview me either, since the recruiter never followed up with me. |
I have to say, that is an excellent little video, I am shocked you are getting no takers. When I was in Korea, all you had to do go get a job is the ability to walk and talk at the same time.
If you haven't put in an official application form then sack Korvia off and find someone else. I wouldn't stress where they place you in the first year as you can find something you like in the second year. Might be a pain but you'll get what you want once you have 'boots on ground'.
Looking through the other GEPIK videos on youtube, yours seems fine. Get another recruiter, don't give up!
Last edited by robbie_davies on Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:31 am; edited 1 time in total |
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salutbonjour
Joined: 22 Jan 2013
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK- Why am I not getting interviewed? |
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| robbie_davies wrote: |
| Anakaren152 wrote: |
Hello everyone (first post! )!
I am interested in teaching English in Korea for Fall 2013. I decided to go along with the GEPIK program since it is close to Seoul and it is near my friends who currently live in Korea.
I have been working with Korvia because I heard great reviews from them. I have all my documents ready to be sent, but that can't be done unless I am accepted by a school first.
I know the end of June is when most of the hiring is done for the program, but I am losing hope in getting a job for GEPIK. I have been having a few communication issues with my recruiter ( I had to redo my introduction video 3 times, since each time apparently there was something wrong with my approach. She was very vague about it and she is also slow in responding to emails).
Maybe I am just naive? Is there just too much competition? I just graduated from a great university. I am TSEOL certified and I have taught English before to two French students while I was studying abroad. On top of all that, I love Korean culture and I want to experience it first hand.
I am very worried I will not get hired at all. All the schools I have been introduced to, have not shown interest to interview me. At first I was getting introduced to schools right by Seoul (Anyang, Goyang, etc.), and now I am getting introduced to schools that are very far away (Pyeongtaek, for example). Should I just use more than one recruiter? Is it too late for me to get hired in a decent location? Am I running out of time? For anyone who was hired through GEPIK, how was your application/hiring process like?
Any input would be great! Thank you! |
We would need to see the video, I doubt there is anything wrong with your video and it is being used as an excuse to waste your time.
If I remember - if you put in more than another application to GEPIK with a different recruiter, you get disqualified from the application process unless that has changed.
So, you are in a bit of a quandry, pick from what they have left to offer - Pyongatek isn't great, but it isn't terrible, it is not on the subway line but you can get buses to and from where your friends are.
Once you are on the ground, then you can negotiate a job in a place to your liking for your next contract. Sometimes - you need to take the scenic route where you want to go.
What won't happen is forcing the arm of Korvia, I found them to be vastly overrated and in cahoots with a NET blacklist - nasty pieces of work that they are. |
It is on the subway line #1 from what I can see. should take forty minutes to get to sadang at most, 1h10 to get to itaewon and 1h30 to get to Hongdae I guess. |
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robbie_davies
Joined: 16 Jun 2013
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 3:31 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK- Why am I not getting interviewed? |
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| salutbonjour wrote: |
| robbie_davies wrote: |
| Anakaren152 wrote: |
Hello everyone (first post! )!
I am interested in teaching English in Korea for Fall 2013. I decided to go along with the GEPIK program since it is close to Seoul and it is near my friends who currently live in Korea.
I have been working with Korvia because I heard great reviews from them. I have all my documents ready to be sent, but that can't be done unless I am accepted by a school first.
I know the end of June is when most of the hiring is done for the program, but I am losing hope in getting a job for GEPIK. I have been having a few communication issues with my recruiter ( I had to redo my introduction video 3 times, since each time apparently there was something wrong with my approach. She was very vague about it and she is also slow in responding to emails).
Maybe I am just naive? Is there just too much competition? I just graduated from a great university. I am TSEOL certified and I have taught English before to two French students while I was studying abroad. On top of all that, I love Korean culture and I want to experience it first hand.
I am very worried I will not get hired at all. All the schools I have been introduced to, have not shown interest to interview me. At first I was getting introduced to schools right by Seoul (Anyang, Goyang, etc.), and now I am getting introduced to schools that are very far away (Pyeongtaek, for example). Should I just use more than one recruiter? Is it too late for me to get hired in a decent location? Am I running out of time? For anyone who was hired through GEPIK, how was your application/hiring process like?
Any input would be great! Thank you! |
We would need to see the video, I doubt there is anything wrong with your video and it is being used as an excuse to waste your time.
If I remember - if you put in more than another application to GEPIK with a different recruiter, you get disqualified from the application process unless that has changed.
So, you are in a bit of a quandry, pick from what they have left to offer - Pyongatek isn't great, but it isn't terrible, it is not on the subway line but you can get buses to and from where your friends are.
Once you are on the ground, then you can negotiate a job in a place to your liking for your next contract. Sometimes - you need to take the scenic route where you want to go.
What won't happen is forcing the arm of Korvia, I found them to be vastly overrated and in cahoots with a NET blacklist - nasty pieces of work that they are. |
It is on the subway line #1 from what I can see. should take forty minutes to get to sadang at most, 1h10 to get to itaewon and 1h30 to get to Hongdae I guess. |
Indeed I stand corrected! There is a subway station in Pyeongtaek that opened in 2011. There wasn't one when I was there, just go to show how everything changes when you turn your back. 
So based on the update, living in Pyeongtaek wouldn't be so bad at all if you have subway access to Seoul via line 1. |
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bioberd
Joined: 15 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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| I went through the GEPIK process in country and got a job myself. While going through the process my recruiter told me it is HIGHLY competitive right now. Everybody wants to live near Seoul and work in a public school too. Also there are more teachers in country looking for a job now. Just recently, Busan let go/didn't resign a large portion of their NETs. It is cheaper for a school to transfer a visa than to sponser a visa. Also if a GEPIK school hires a local teacher they don't have to pay for the flight to Korea. I am not saying this to discourage you but that could be a reason why you may be having a hard time finding a school. If you really want to teach then you can try a Hagwon in Seoul or you can try the other public school programs like EPIK, SMOE, or JLP. I hope you do find a school![/quote] |
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maximmm
Joined: 01 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 7:21 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK- Why am I not getting interviewed? |
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| Anakaren152 wrote: |
Korvia recently stated that it is required for all GEPIK applicants to submit videos now. They claim that most public schools prefer in person interviews, to those who are already living in Korea, thus making the video is the only way to compete with them.
The funny this is that I never submitted the actual GEPIK application to them, they said I should submit it along with my signed contract. (Is this weird?) All they have currently is my resume, video, and a digital copy of my TESOL certificate.
So should I be able to use multiple recruiters without a problem? Do you think it is a bad idea to just contact the head recruiter at Korvia and express my concerns? |
Wait, are you applying through Korvia? If so, yes, express your concerns to the head of the recruiting agency - I believe her name is Ann Park.
Here is her email - [email protected]
If not, once again, in order to apply for GEPIK through another agency, you will first have to withdraw your current application with your current agency. Of course, if your application/video has already been seen by most schools in GEPIK, the odds of schools changing their minds are very low. September is not really the best time to look for a public school job - the biggest intake of teachers in the public school system occurs in March - it is easier to find a job then.
Aside from that, you may want to consider working outside of GEPIK - I'll send you more info on this via private message.
One has to remember that GEPIK and EPIK are not the only government organizations in Korea. |
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maximmm
Joined: 01 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK- Why am I not getting interviewed? |
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| robbie_davies wrote: |
Yes! I was interviewed for a PS job in the part of the city where the pink and purple subway lines are. I really liked it there, more gritty and less plastic. Not many people liked it around there but I would have been quite happy to move there.
Anyway, it was all on and then Korvia - or the woman who was interviewing me wanted to speak to my co-teacher and she proceeded to rip me a new arsehole. So - I never heard off Korvia again and went home.
About 6 months later, I got wind that I was on this blacklist (can't tell you how for now) and was sent a copy of my profile on why I was on the blacklist. All lies, all bullshite - so I wrote a letter to the school, Korvia and the blacklist threatening legal action and the co-teacher wrote an email - I have to say this - she should be embarrassed that she wrote that email but it was a begging email about how she didn't write it and she is scared of losing her job etc. Lacking any decency or dignity and of course lying through her teeth so she could save her own worthless skin.
The fact I got my completion letter of good conduct from the school didn't seem to make much difference to Korvia, they just believed everything the co teacher said and stuck me on the blacklist, I am sure a few teachers from around that time wondered why they couldn't get a job after being interviewed by Korvia. Disgraceful - and if I ever went back to Korea to teach - I would put Korvia and the school in court for libel. I have all the evidence but I don't think I will be going back to Korea in this lifetime. |
It would appear that one of the biggest problems was the fact that your referee was not that great. Still, placing teachers on the blacklist? Come to think of it, is the blacklist still operational? I can't seem to access it.
By the way, apparently nearly every recruiting agency in Korea is affiliated with the said blacklist (which again, I'm not sure if it's operational). What did Korvia say when you contacted them about it?
I can't say that I condone blacklists of any sort - but then, that also refers to hagwon blacklists - |
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YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
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| Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 4:44 am Post subject: |
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| Is there just too much competition? |
How many chins do you have? |
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robbie_davies
Joined: 16 Jun 2013
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| Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:32 am Post subject: |
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| YTMND wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Is there just too much competition? |
How many chins do you have? |
She looks great judging from the videos! It aint that, Who knows what their malfunction is. |
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YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
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| Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 8:06 am Post subject: |
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| robbie_davies wrote: |
| YTMND wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Is there just too much competition? |
How many chins do you have? |
She looks great judging from the videos! It aint that, Who knows what their malfunction is. |
Where are these videos? |
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