Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

The Sparkles Fam is moving soon, so over the past few weeks the real estate agency has been by to show people the place. It's not a bad little dwelling; it's spacious and relatively quiet, though not very modern. The throw up-colored cabinets in the kitchen aren't very aesthetically pleasing, for example. Still, it's pretty decent and the rent is low (we pay 450,000, but I think they're now asking 350,000), so it likely won't be a problem finding new tenants.

I had the morning off today, and, because my wife is teaching part-time, I stuck around when the realator called and said someone wanted to see the place.

I was a bit surprised that three men in suits showed up to take a look. They seemed very pleased, one of them noting that a bed could easily fit into the smaller room. They all smiled, thanked me and left.

"So, who came to see the place," my wife asked, calling after lunch.

"It was weird," I said, "three guys, all in suits. Maybe they plan on renting it out for one of their sons or daughters or nephews or nieces or something. Or cabalistic rituals. But they looked as happy as a pig in..."

"Maybe they're hagwon owners renting it for a teacher," she said.

"But then why did the one guy get all happy-pappy when he noticed that a bed could fit in the small room?"

"Maybe they plan on having two teachers live there."

Ouch. If that's the case, they're in for a world of hurt. The "small room" about 4 pyeong. The "bedroom" is maybe 10. How would you feel if you moved into an apartment with another teacher and he got the daddy room but you were left with the baby room? I don't know, maybe the guys weren't hagwon directors (though my instinct tells me they were), and even if they are, maybe the new tenants are a married couple with a child* -- but if you've recently accepted a job in Bundang that starts in late-April/early-May, you might want to PM me for more info on the digs.

* The "small room" isn't fit for a child to sleep in; the ondol works in there, but it gets bastardly cold in the winter for whatever reason, and the door onto the veranda, located at the back of the room, opens whenever someone opens the bathroom door.

Sparkles*_*

[coolsage]

"Maybe they're planning on having two teachers live there." That should come as no surprise. Many Korean employers would not hesitate to stuff their western teachers into accommodation they wouldn't live in themselves. They don't seem to get that generally, western adults don't bunk in with strangers once they're out of college. Or, they will stick them into student dormitories with an 11PM curfew. No matter, the waygook is merely another commodity, a conduit for the students' education, certainly not a part of the Han Master Race.

[Lunar Groove Gardener]

Sounds like the "deal" that I got. My first place I shared with an angry drunk and I got the baby's room. Barely room to turn around! From my experience, once they have the noose around your neck they (hagwon directors) enjoy watching you suffer a bit. I can't imagine the lack of pride one shows for ones nationality when consistently willing to provide so little in the way of a favorable introduction to one's country.

[sillywilly]

Thats a bum deal you got.

Maybe one of them was renting it ouut for his mistress and her child. Lived next door to such a situation but they only had a bachelor. Nice gal and kid.. and the dad? was nice too when he visited

[animalbirdfish]

Sparkles,

What did you put down for key money on the place?


Maybe they were just businessmen from out of town who need a place to live during the week...