Korean Job Discussion Forums

Howard Roark · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Canada

Here's the deal:

Now until the last Friday in May:

2.85 Million won/month (25 000 overtime)

About 7 classes per day from 3pm-10pm. But classes are cancelled a lot and I often get to go home early. 2 days a week I teach one kindy class for an hour at 11am (this is overtime).

No apartment. I already have my own place which I pay 300 000 a month for.

I'm assuming there is medical insurance because I think it's illegal to not have it.

No vacation - instead they want to give me a weeks pay at the end of the contract (that I never actually worked).

I'm pretty sure I'm going to take it because I don't want to look for another job. But I wonder, is it a good deal?

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

Lot of readers here would drool at the pay but the hours sound a bit gruelling. If you feel like youve got the stamina, go for it -- its only 4 months. Maybe plan yourself a nice vacation after.

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 1:35 am Post subject:

Sounds great. Tne hours are like a typical hagwon gig. The money is awesome. You are gonna be netting 2.55 which is not too shabby.

Howard Roark · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Canada

I forgot to mention...

That's 2.65 NET, after deductions.

Only the overtime, usually 200, 000won, will be taxed at ~5%.

Yes, the hours are rough. Long days, hard to get anything done, like laundry or shopping. Have to do everything on the weekends, which go by pretty fast - especially when you stay out all night partying and sleep all day!

Another minus is travelling time. I live in Itaewon. The school is in Songpagu near Olympic Park. It takes me about 50mins to travel to and fro - EVERY DAY.

However, the students at this school are fantastic. This school is in an affluent area of Seoul. All the students are extremely bright, enthusiastic, and polite...and well dressed!

Yeah, I guess every job has pros and cons...

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

sorry to stick my finger in the soup, but i think it rather sucks.
i realize you already have a flat, but that is a cost of living that is usually factored into salary.
considering an apartment in Seoul will run well over 400,000, you are actually getting paid 2.25, or even less.

that sucks for 7 classes a day. and kindy!! have you taught kindy before?
it will also take you an hour EACH way, plus prep time. that's a LONG day.
have you thought about arriving home at 11?
will you have time for dinner?
granted, if enough classes get cancelled, the deal is looking a little warmer.

yes, it sounds like the students are cool, but kindy takes a ton of energy.

to me, it sounds like the cons outweigh the pros. if it were a year, i think iw ould say foagettabowwdit.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Sounds Ok to me, till the end of May? Stick it out and save some cash.

(plus you said classes are cancelled a lot)