Korean Job Discussion Forums

Badmojo · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 8:26 am Post subject: Well, would you?

A simple question. Let's say 1.2 under your present working conditions are they are in universities, public schools, or hagwons.

If yes, why?

If no, where would you go and what would you do?

My answer is not in a million years. I'm here first and foremost for the money. And nothing keeps me here if I don't have that.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Well who would stay for that little? A million is easy to spend. I think most people would rather be broke elsewhere. Or, go elsewhere where the money is higher, though that would certainly make it harder to get jobs elsewhere, with everyone leaving Korea for Taiwan or wherever. Fortunately I don't see the pay going under 2.0 ever.

But maybe the new transcripts policy might drive a few people away? Maybe that could help us get a bit more pay, if there are fewer of us here?

Badmojo · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 8:45 am Post subject:

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

paperbag princess · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell

i don't want to pedantic, but your question isn't a yes or no answer. i wouln't stay for 1.2 million won. i'm here to make money.

Homer · Guest

paperbag...but at 1.2 you could still make money.

It would be question of lifestyle adjustment...so in an absolute you would be making money.

Also, what about teaching? Does that factor into your financial gain equation for being here?

Badmojo · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 5:20 pm Post subject:

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

If the job conditions are similar but one pays W1.2 million and another pays W2.2 million, unless there is some other factor involved, why do the same work for significantly less money? It doesn't mean money is the #1 priority. It's just common sense.

pet lover · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: not in Seoul

That's just a 100,000 less than I made when I first came back in the day. Back then, it was no problem, but my tastes have gotten more expensive and with a credit card, online shopping eats up quite a bit of my salary.

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

The way you set up the poll, "Yes" is the only logical answer. But it doesn't mean anything. Yes, I would go elsewhere.

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Saxiif · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Seongnam

If I got paid that I'd NEVER be able to save for my wedding Shocked

For that amount of money I'd definately head to China, Taiwan or Japan, I really like the pay:cost of living ratio I get here...

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Badmojo, I wonder why you chose that particular sum -- 1.2 million won/month. I'm also surprised that 1.2 mil. won is more than the average teacher earns in the other places you mentioned. (In _Western_ Europe? *shudder* A government handout for doing nothing might pay better. Seriously.)

Rather than the poll you've got here, I think it would be more interesting (and damned intrusive, too) if people had to state the lowest salary they'd consider before leaving Korea.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:26 am Post subject:

Yes, I'd stay for a first year, a second year and even this, my third year. I'm not here for the money, something my retired father clued into and somehow managed to get me to volunteer to send his some help from time to time, which ended up at ten thousand dollars per year. I've cut that back with expensive travels taken this year.

But I wouldn't stay for a fourth, opting for some of the many places one could make enough to live comfortably and save just enough for international travel on vacations and for the transition between jobs.

If I decide to stay for a fourth year next year it'll be with the express intention of saving up funds in a place I like. I feel like there's more to see and do here, a lot more, but the initial surge of discovery and adaptation has already taken place. Everything is starting to feel routine, comfortable, in a good, but different way. I'm just as likely to go elsewhere. The money is beside the point.