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pocariboy73
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
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 Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:41 am Post subject: Kids Club in Bundang (Gumi-dong) proudly makes the news |
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Have a look at their latest tactic:
https://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2007/07/11/200707110018.asp
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Sometimes you really just have to say '18'
Despite the best efforts of The Korea Herald to highlight the problem -- and initiatives by the Korean government to stamp out discrimination in the workplace -- it seems that some people just don't get the message.
Gina Song of Bundang Kids Club is a case in point.
She was responsible for the following advertisement for teachers, "If you are young and white, you are alright with us." Really, about the only thing you can do is sigh, and laugh out loud at how ridiculous this situation really is.
The advertisement went on to say, "Average weight (or thin) people are preferred. Also please, no Australians/New Zealanders/Irish etc. Brits may be considered under special circumstances. Of course, no non-native English speakers or ethnic minorities."
The Kids Club hagwon, in a rare example of honesty, warned any potential applicants that the contract they sign with them is probably not worth the paper it is written on.
"One year contract required by law. Please note, however, that cultural differences exist with respect to contracts."
The hagwon then reproduced this alarming message: "English teachers in Korea occasionally have contract disputes with their employers. In the Korean context, a contract is simply a rough working agreement, subject to change depending on the circumstances. Most Koreans do not view deviations from a contract as a breach of contract, and few Koreans would consider taking an employer to court over a contract dispute -- we don't think you will take us to court either!"
Really? Well, Bundang Kids Club probably covered its bases with the following: "Salary negotiable. Paid vacation. Optional medical insurance. Year-end bonus -- if you complete one year."
The "optional medical insurance" is required by law and is absolutely non-negotiable. When The Korea Herald called Ms. Song, she cheerfully agreed, but suggested, "Some teachers want to save money so they decide not to have the medical insurance."
It saves the school money, too, a detail she conveniently left out along with the fact that non-payment of medical insurance is illegal.
When it was pointed out to Ms. Song that she was breaking multiple Korean laws with her advertisement, she cut the conversation short with: "I am hanging up, I do not wish to speak with you, and you will not be considered for this job."
That is a great pity because the advertisement was so tempting. An e-mail to Ms. Song went unanswered.
By Chris Gelken
([email protected])
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Last edited by pocariboy73 on Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:10 pm; edited 5 times in total |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:00 am Post subject: |
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Good! Thanks Mr. Gelkin.
Racetraitor, did the Kid's Club ever reply to your email/application? |
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garykasparov
Joined: 27 May 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:41 am Post subject: |
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| Harry V Anus would like to have a word with her. Please post her e-mail or send it to me please. |
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pocariboy73
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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I would like to email her too. Please post her email address if you get it before me.
Last edited by pocariboy73 on Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:09 pm; edited 6 times in total |
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yingwenlaoshi
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Location: ... location, location!
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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"You no trustah me?"
"Uh, no?"
*sigh* |
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kat2
Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Busan, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Way to go, Chris Gelken! If only we could expose all the bad hogwan owners to hte Korean public. |
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Smee
Joined: 24 Dec 2004
Location: Jeollanam-do
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Not exactly an in-depth expose. However, as a foreign writer I doubt he'll get many people willing to talk to him or to attack the hagwon industry. I'm curious if this "story"---not really a story, just an advertisement that appeared on a few mesasgeboards---was picked up by Korean-language media. If not it's just preaching to the choir. |
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bellum99
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: don't need to know
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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| I knew Gina Song and would have to agree that she is not a good person. I also doubt she wrote the advertisement since her English sucked...I bet a suck-up English teacher at the school wrote that advertisement for her. If it was an English teacher that wrote it then I hope they get what they deserve...a Gina Special up the arse. |
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some waygug-in
Joined: 25 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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Perhaps whoever wrote the ad was hoping for exactly the kind of response this seems to be generating.  |
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that guy
Joined: 29 Feb 2004
Location: long gone
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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There was an article yesterday on Naver that highlighted hiring practices. I can't find the link as one of my co-workers showed it to me.
There is this on NPR:
Ethnic Bias Seen in South Korea Teacher Hiring.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11826937
(got it from the Metropolitican.) |
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pocariboy73
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks to another poster, I know have the contact address. I will be phoning them soon.
KIDS CLUB contact information:
Contact Number: 031-718-0544
Address: Good Morning Plaza, Gumi-Dong, Bundang
Contact Email Address: [email protected]
Last edited by pocariboy73 on Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:08 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Bramble
Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Location: National treasures need homes
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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I still think there are too many English teacher stories in the Herald, but I have to admit this one made me smile. It's nice to see the bad guys named and shamed in public for once. 
Hmmmm, that almost gives me another story idea ... |
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that guy
Joined: 29 Feb 2004
Location: long gone
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Smee wrote: |
| 'm curious if this "story"---not really a story, just an advertisement that appeared on a few mesasgeboards---was picked up by Korean-language media. |
Found the Naver link
Seems the NPR sound bite is gone. |
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darkhorse_NZ
Joined: 20 Feb 2007
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:06 am Post subject: |
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| cette espece de salope peut bruler en enfer!!! |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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| bellum99 wrote: |
| I knew Gina Song and would have to agree that she is not a good person. I also doubt she wrote the advertisement since her English sucked...I bet a suck-up English teacher at the school wrote that advertisement for her. If it was an English teacher that wrote it then I hope they get what they deserve...a Gina Special up the arse. |
Is it possible it was written by a native speaker taking the piss out of her real hiring policies? |
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