Korean Job Discussion Forums

[adverge]

I will be moving to Korea to begin my first job in Daegu in about a month. I have some questions I was hoping the board could answer.

1. How difficult and expensive is it to have an Internet connection in your own apartment? How about cable?

2. How available are English novels and books? Are these significantly more expensive than in North America?

3. Are English movies shown with Korean subtitles or are they dubbed into Korean (or does it depend on the theatre)?

Thank you for any information you can provide.

[Free World]

1. Internet and cable connections are easily available. Cable is cheap. Internet costs are average I think.

2. Not sure about Daegu, but there are lots of reasonably priced English novels and books in Seoul.

3. English movies in theatres are in English with unobtrusive Korean subtitles.

Have a safe flight.

[adverge]

Thank you.

[Milwaukiedave]

To be a little more specific:

Cable: I've usually paid between 8-12,000 won a month

Internet: It varies where you live. I lived on the outskirts of Daegu and paid 36,000 won. Here in Seoul I've had a package with internet and cable for 33,000 won. Keep in mind that usually internet service is a one year contract, although they might not tell you that. You should check into it. You'll probably have to have someone that speaks Korean help you get it set up.

Books: They are quite expensive to buy new. The average price for a new paperback is about 11,000 won. Hardback books generally run from around 20,000 but I'd say the average is closer to 30,000. I like to read a lot of political books and those are pretty spendy.

That being said, there are alternatives. You can trade books with people. I know in Seoul there are some used books stores, but I haven't made it to one yet. I'm almost sure there is a used book store in Daegu, but don't quote me on that one.

[Homer]

Here goes...

1. How difficult and expensive is it to have an Internet connection in your own apartment? How about cable?

Easy as 1-2-3. The price is usually reasonable considering you are not paying rent and will have a higher amount of disposable income. Then, it will be more about convenience and what you really need than about cost.

2. How available are English novels and books? Are these significantly more expensive than in North America?

Depends where you live (big city or small town). They are more expensive than home because..well..they are an import here.....You could do like many here do (including me) and order these books from amazon

3. Are English movies shown with Korean subtitles or are they dubbed into Korean (or does it depend on the theatre)?

Korean subtitles.