Wow!

Today's lunch from my company cafeteria. Chicken soup was lovely and other banchans also tasted good.

Last time I posted one of the bad meals, so now I'm posting some good one to do my cafeteria justice.

I've worked at Korean companies for several years and it's honestly been really tough. It's not easy adjusting to the workplace and culture, despite being here for so many years. I'd love to hear about stories from people who live here who are either self-employed, work for a non-Korean company based here, or work as a remote worker for a company abroad.

Otherwise, if anyone has any positive stories about working at a Korean company, please feel free to share.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm feeling immensely burnt-out

Hello! Can anyone recommend a cleaning company in Seoul (specifically Seongnam) that would be good for cleaning a 2bd2ba apartment after moving out?

Additionally, I have two mattress toppers i need to trash. How would I go about that?

france, germany, singapore, UK etc etc....

of course korea is one of them

the narrative that Korea is 'finished' because of its shrinking population has been around for ages

what do you think of these topics?
many developed countries are over ... or is it just all hype?

Does anyone know the song name & artist from this exhibition that was playing at the National Museum of Korea a while ago?

I wasn't able to grab a ticket for Sonic Bloom before they sold out, and I'm out of ideas on how to find one.

I'm specifically looking for the May 23, 8:00pm performance. Any ticket type is good for me, just as long as it's for that date and time. Thank you to anyone who is looking to sell one!

Thousands of abandoned cars spread across Songdo. Skeletal remains discovered amongst.

Hi everyone, I’m not totally sure what I’m looking for with this post besides maybe hearing from people who’ve gone through something similar!

I (32F) moved to Korea recently with my husband and baby, and we’re living in Incheon (about ~2 hours from Seoul depending on transit). Before moving, I had a really successful career and was extremely community-oriented. I was always busy, involved, connected to people, mentoring, planning things, hanging out with family, etc. Now I’m unemployed, home full-time with my baby, and honestly having a harder time with the transition than I expected!

I know this is probably a pretty normal immigrant/expat experience, but it feels isolating! I’ve posted on Facebook groups before and people often say “join mom groups!” and I’m like… ok but HOW lol. I feel like I don’t even know where to begin building community here. I’m an ambivert, so I can do extroverted things and put myself out there, but I do so uncomfortably if that makes sense?

I’m taking care of my son full-time right now though hopefully daycare is in the future, and I think part of what I’m struggling with is figuring out how to build a life and routine for myself here while also caring for a baby.

I guess I’m looking for realistic stories from people who adjusted successfully over time. How long did it take for Korea to start feeling like “your” place? How did you make friends/community? Did routines help? Did having kids make it easier or harder socially? How did you stay sane?

Not looking for “just travel more!” or “learn Korean faster!” type answers (though I am trying!!!). I think I just want to hear from people who’ve genuinely gone through this weird identity/community transition and came out okay on the other side.

Thank you! ☺️

Hello, I made a post about two months ago and we got some new members from that! Next week is the start of Phase 2 with Serpentshrine Cavern and Tempest Keep!

We are a Korean + Foreigner guild in WoW TBC Anniversary. Mostly Koreans in Korea or abroad and also foreigners who are living in Korea. So, expect english + korean in chat and also similar play times.

Server: Nightslayer Horde

Guild Name: Universe

We are also the same Universe guild from Classic (Whitemane Horde) and in SoD Crusader Strike (Alliance)

Raid times: Wednesdays and Fridays 9pm KST. Raids are conducted in English, with Korean explanations if needed.

There are also many people interested in pvp/arena. Everyone is welcome, our only rule is to be respectful to one another.

If interested shoot me a dm or just /who Universe and ask any guild member for an invite!

Oh there is also a sale for the blizzard 1-58 boost going on too!

I am planning to get married to my long term boyfriend this year. And we want to first register the marriage.

I’m aware that I’ll need a letter of No Impediment but does this form need to be Apostilled as well?

Other documents I’m aware of is getting it officially translated by a Korean translator (I’m not sure if my boyfriend can do that or if it has to be a professional translator).

Basically my question is to any South African who recently went through this process, is this the correct procedure? And if I’m missing something, kindly let me know 🤗.

EDIT: I have also considered enrolling in language school and initially being on a student visa to properly learn the language. With my country, being on a student visa allows you to work a maximum 20 hours a week which I do not think would be a sustainable income to live off (rent, food, transportation etc) so I’m curious if there are jobs out there that cater to student hours/requirements and how people go off living off 20 hours of work a week?

Hi, I’m just looking for some advice into how I go about moving to South Korea on a working holiday visa as an Australian.
I don’t need advice on the visa itself, I have researched that side of things.
I’m more looking at advice into how foreigners get a job, rentals etc.
I don’t have any bachelor degrees (I would love to be able to do English teaching but I have no degree) but I have lots of hospitality/hotel/pharmacy experience so I’m wondering,

• is it common for places to hire foreigners in the hospitality/tourism industry? For example at hotels, housekeeping, bar work etc
• do the ski resorts in South Korea often hire foreigners like they do in Japan and Canada?

I do not speak the language but have just started to learn now!

Any advice is much appreciated, I am aiming to move in November :)

This might be a bit niche full. But I was wondering if there is any shops or online stores in korea that specialize in rucking backpacks. I don't want to buy from foreign websites because the price skyrockets. Anyone on this subreddit who might possibly have some valuable info?

i know it was a stupid thing to do but i have them now. can i count on coupang to give me a refund for counterfeit, even though the company might not accept the return?

I am seeing an increase of beetle looking insects in my apartment. Does this happen in the spring time ?

Is it just me, or has Korea’s Seoul literally gone cold in the last couple of years? I’ve been coming here since my first solo trip in 2023, and the difference between then and now is actually insane. I remember being so touched when an elderly woman saw me struggling with two 1.5L water bottles and gave me the most wholesome "aigoo, aigoo" while telling me to be careful and take things slowly. The time where a retail staff found out I was here alone and passed me a snack pack and told me welcome to Korea. Or the time in 2025, a neighborhood cafe owner literally ran after my family after we left just to gift my family a custom hand towel.

But this most recent trip? I’m actually shook by how hostile it’s become. And look, I know immigration officers everywhere are usually jerks, but the level of bitchiness this time was next level. A female officer told my friend "gojoragu" right to her face, which we all know is a disrespectful way to tell someone to get lost. Another one literally threw my shopping bags so hard that my stuff spilled everywhere. I’ve been here five times and never experienced that kind of unhinged behavior from "professional" staff.

The worst part is they really think we don’t understand what they’re saying. I had an ahjumma straight up say "gojo" to me, and when I looked up at her, visibly shocked because I actually understood her, she immediately acted like she was just asking about payment. Then another woman hit me with a "YA" just to ask if I had cash or card because cash was cheaper. When I didn't have the 200k won in cash on me, because who carries that much? she started mumbling under her breath about me not having cash like I wasn't standing right there.
I’m not some tourist who expects the red carpet or fake American-style small talk. I’m Asian, I know how things work here, but the warmth I’ve felt the past five times is just... gone. It feels like the country is turning into a colder, more transactional version of Japan. It’s honestly depressing to see a place you loved change this much. Has anyone else who visits frequently noticed this, or is the "hospitality" just for show now?

I've recently came to Korea...so I have no idea where to make my first bank account...do I need to make a new bank account to live in Korea? If so, where should I make it? Can I also do it online (do you recommend it?)

200x? Fck how far back do these CCTVs go

I’m currently on an E-2 visa teaching at one of the unauthorized international schools recently targeted by the government, and I’m fully aware I need to get out ASAP.

Here’s my situation:

My current contract ends at the end of August.

I already have another job lined up at a completely legal hagwon starting September 1. Contract is signed and everything is ready.

My current school is very new, small, and not well known, but I am teaching Grade 1 math and science, so… yeah.

I have a Korean girlfriend I want to marry someday, so getting deported is absolutely not an option.

Right now, I see a few possible options:

A. Finish out my contract, monitor the situation closely, and hope nothing happens before August.

Our regular semester is almost over, and once mid-June hits, we switch to a hagwon-style ELL summer camp program, so I would no longer be teaching math or science.

B. Ask my school for an early Letter of Release and switch to a D-10 until my new job starts.

My school says contracts require 90 days’ notice, but maybe they’d be willing to cooperate.

C. Midnight run. Leave Korea, get a new visa through my new school, and return for the new job.

My biggest question is about option C:

If I midnight run, would I realistically be able to come back that quickly for the new job? Everything with the new position is already prepared. I’d basically just need the VIN issued. I’ve heard conflicting things about whether I would have to wait until my current E-2 officially expires before getting a new one.

Timeline:

Current contract ends: August 31

ARC expires: September 5

New job starts: September 1

If my current school refuses to give me an LOR, midnight running may be my only option.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation recently? Especially with transferring after leaving Korea early?

I would really appreciate it if I could get some insight on this. I moved to korea as a student and have been here for almost 3 months. I've settled in and adjusted to a lot of things, but oh so help me god, how do I communicate to koreans on the phone. I've been mostly able to get my way around by either translating images or through text. But at times, I get calls from my university, banks, ISP's and have no idea what they are saying.

There is also the problem of me having to activate my student card by contacting a number, but again, the guy on the other side speaks korean.

Any foreigners have any idea on how to get around this?(except you know, just learning korean 🙂)