Korean Job Discussion Forums

[laura]

Upon moving to Korea and finding myself in a small "country" area, I was a little worried about the isolation factor and a little dazzled by the romantic aspect of living in a quaint little country town. As soon as I grew accustomed to the feeling of eyes burning into me every time I left my flat, I discovered something unsettling. Apparently, to many Koreans I look Russian. Although I'm not Russian I have no problem with people thinking I am, except that apparently a large number of Russian women in Korea are prostitutes.

After a few incidents that were a little scary, I'm beginning to grow a bit weary of my life here. I don't necessarily feel unsafe, but if you can imagine the cases of mistaken identity I'm dealing with, you can see how it's shaping my Korean experience. I may be a little paranoid but I know it's not all a distortion of reality. My Korean friends and colleages can verify that because people frequently ask them about my... status.

I guess I'd be handling it better if I wasn't in such an isolated area, but since I am, and I'm bound to get more attention here as a foreigner, now I think that everywhere I go, everyone is thinking, hey look at the hooker!

So tell me I'm being anal, that I should laugh it off, or just get over it. I'm just wondering if anyone out there has had or is having any similar problems. It would be a lot easier to find the humour in all of this if I know I'm not the only one who's had to look up the translation for "no I'm not a hooker, piss off."

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

This is something, it's safe to say, that most of us foreign girls have to deal with. It doesn't matter if you look it or not...you're Russian. And were you come from (small town) you are going to get it much more. There's really nothing you can do...unless you want to go over to them and tell them miguk/canada/new zealand sarem or wherever you're from. I usually don't have the energy to bother with these type of people...leave them with their little minds.
I live near Seoul now and I really don't get the Russian thing anymore...more people ask me if I'm Bulgarian.

[kangnam mafioso]

thats an uncomfortable situation. avoid walking around alone at night when the soju heads are out in packs. dress conservatively. don't let it get you down ... who cares what a bunch of xenophobic, untravelled ajoshis think? if it gets too bad you might be able to buy your way out of your current contract and move to seoul. or you could just split and do a runner or go to japan. good luck.

[tomwaits]

Let me disclaimer this by saying I am drunk at the moment. And my name is Tom.


I lived in a small town (near Tain to be exact) and found I was getting odd from not having anyone to talk to. Sometimes things build up when you have no one to talk to. I don't know the answer. Move to Seoul of course. If you have a phone and can find others (in the same boat) to talk to might help.

If you say you don't feel threatened it may be OK. You know better but I assume these jokers are easily put off. How is the school --maybe move on. ? You are never too locked in.

[Blind Willie]

[peppermint]

You'd think that would be the case, but it really doesn't matter. I've gotten asked if I was Russian at 12 noon, while wearing a long skirt and conservative blouse. Being asked if you're Russian is a lot better than being bluntly asked "How muchee" all the same. Russians do outnumber English teachers here buy a pretty substantial number, so once in a while it's a simple honest question.

Don't worry too much about safety though. There's enough opportunity to buy sex that not many guys would risk going after it when it's not for sale. Tell them in no uncertain terms that you're not Russian and then walk away.

[yomuthabyotch]

Just curious--please inform this ignorant newbie: Have any of you actually seen or run into a real Russian prostitute on the streets of Seoul? (And if so, are they pretty hot?? )

From this future English teacher's armchair perspective, it all sounds so much like an urban myth, like 'death by fan'....

[peppermint]

They have them in a few of the juicy bars, and a lot of Korean style night clubs have white "entertainers". I used to see them on the streets shopping some times in Cheong ju and the two things that stood out were how sad they looked and how skanky they were dressed.

[yomuthabyotch]

^That is sad....

I wonder if there's a Russian Mafia connection (most likely though, huh?). That would make for some juicy fiction.

[bignate]

[Derrek]

Why don't you just say, "Yes, I'm Russian" and laugh at what they say next?

Could it be that they aren't actually thinking of you in a sexual way, and just wonder if you're Russian?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[yomuthabyotch]

[dogbert]

[paperbag princess]

dude, get used to it. it sucks but it's apparently part of being female and foreign in this country. sometimes for fun when they "ask are you russian?" i say "no, are you japanese?" though not if they look totally hammered and unstable.