Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Lao Wai]

Hey,

After having been away from Korea for over three years, I'm heading back there on Thursday for vacation. I live in Hong Kong and will be flying back to stay with friends in the city where I used to live.

I'm really excited about this trip. When I left Korea after two years I thought that it would be for good. Well, I guess I did leave for good in that I have no intentions of ever living there again, but I still didn't think I'd ever see the place again.

I'm wondering how being a 'tourist' in Korea will compare with how it was when I lived there? Has anyone ever gone back for just a vacation? I always felt that if my job didn't suck when I lived in Korea I would have enjoyed it more. For example, after my first contract ended I flew back to Canada for a month, then went back to Korea and just bummed around for a few weeks. I had great time and wasn't stressed at all. Then, I found a new job, which started out well but got progressively worse as the year went on and so did my attitude. All of the 'little' things started building up and pissing me off, like the crowds, people staring, pushing, etc. Anyway, I have good memories of Korea for the most part but some mixed ones as well, so I'm curious as to how this vacation will go. I'm thinking I'll have a good time because I'm on vacation and have no stress. What do you think?

[The Bobster]

I don't know anyone in your situation. I hope you post about your experiences here as a tourist.

[Lao Wai]

Well, I just got back to Hong Kong from Korea. I spent five days in Busan and five days in Seoul. Busan was where I used to live when I lived in Korea.

I had a good time. Went out with old friends (Korean and foreign) and ate my face off at Korean restaurants.

Here are some of my observations after having been away for three years.

Kids- Received far less 'hello! hello!' and 'waygookin'. I walked by groups of kids and they didn't even give me a second glance.

18-25 crowd-Still annoying. They were the ones who still screamed hi-eeeeeee! when I walked past them.

Language- I swear that people spoke more English at Starbucks and T.G.I's 3 years ago. I found that everywhere I went people spoke Korean to me. It wasn't much of a problem because I still know how to speak Korean. But Jeez, I swear the lady at Starbucks asked me every conceivable question she could. I got 4 out of her 5 questions right though.

Seoul vs. Busan- I will always like Busan more than Seoul because it's where I lived. That being said, Seoul looks much nicer than Busan. Also, the people are better dressed in Seoul compared to Busan. Way more variety in terms of restaurants, bars, etc.

Korea Overall- I think Korea is on it's way, but I still felt a bit smothered by the overwhelming 'Koreanness' of the place by the time I left. I swear that Koreans must be given a manual at birth that describes how to act for every possible time in their lives. From opinions to hairstyles. For example, I was eating in a small Korean restaurant. The adjumma was watching me eat. She asked me if I wanted a fork (I'm very adept at using chopsticks). I declined. She then told me that I should be using my right hand (I'm left-handed). This prompted the couple sitting next to me to talk about foreigners and handed-ness. In the end, the adjumma complimented me on my Korean and gave me some of those 'yakult' yoghurt drinks (which I think are gross, but was a nice gesture).

So, in the end I feel that Korea was a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there again. Especially now that I'm spoiled in Hong Kong. Horray for colonization! (Just kidding!)

[The Bobster]

Now you've made me curious about Hong Kong. Tell us more about that, and thanks for the time you spent telling about your time in Korea.

[trevorcollins]

Hey Bob-ushka...turn on MSN!