Korean Job Discussion Forums

[indytrucks]

I saw thread around here a few days ago about "Korea is like a third world country with a sugar coating" and "Koreans are like farmers in suits" and other some such.

Probably one of the most memorable analogies to working at a hagwon in Korea I've read was this one, which I first remember reading a long time ago on the old board. I don't necessarily agree with it, but in terms of imagination it is commendable. So for the old timers, here's a trip down memory lane; for the newbs, read and enjoy. Things haven't changed around here that much.

[PEIGUY]

Very thoughtful story. I enjoyed it..

[Poktanju]

Although I try to avoid generalization, Koreans and their behavior seem to be exactly what people could call 'nouveau riche'. While every one of them may not be rich, per se, but compared to 20-30 years ago, they sure are. You can easily craft a saying like "You can take the Korean out of the country village, but you can't take the country village out of the Korean". And I've never met a Korean who will refute that fact. It's just that they would usually absorb that reference as just being 'Korean-style' and carry some patriotic significance, whereas we are looking at it as a short-coming to their acceptance by the global community.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I was disappointed. No new insights. No new thoughts. Just changed English to kimchi.

[indytrucks]

[eamo]

The hagwon market has developed a bit in the time since that was written. The fly-by-night cowboys are thinner on the ground. I'm hearing less and less serious complaints from hagwon teachers these days.

Sure, you will still find a horror story if you look hard enough but I think most of the wonjeongnim cowboys have died of their own greed. Mostly the well organized people remain in 2006.

Still, it's a hairy business to be involved in. For boss and employees. Very fragile. I would like to see a report in the future about the longevity of hagwons. To hazard a guess.....I would say 55% fail in the first 3 years.