10 Years as a Foreigner Living in Korea 🇰🇷 Pros and Cons of Living Here

#korea #southkorea #seoul

When I arrived in Osan, South Korea, an hour South of Seoul, I was among cabbage fields and open skies, and now it's developed into a big city. It's crazy to see how much has changed in 10 years, and recently I spent my 10th year anniversary living here discussing what has changed throughout the country, what it's like living as a foreigner long term, and if you should live here too. There are so many things to discuss that I couldn't fit into the video, so feel free to ask any questions you have if you are considering living in South Korea long term!

00:00 Changes to Osan from 2013-2023
01:11 Intro to Discussion
01:58 How Gangnam Style Put Korea on the Map
02:23 Osan's Transformation from Countryside to City
03:11 First Conversation with Most Koreans is the Same
05:11 Koreans Don't Expect Me to Know the Etiquette
06:53 Joining a Korean Family
07:49 Marrying a Korean
08:51 Working in Korea
10:21 Visas
11:10 Is Korea a Good Place to Live as a Foreigner?
13:25 Apartment Hidden Building Fees
14:07 Korean Police
15:18 Why I Live in Korea
16:41 Living in Korea vs. Canada
17:38 How to Know if Korea is a Good Place for You
18:51 Outro

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[aleksei]

I have been living in Seoul for 2 years now, and its been a great experience. I started off as a korean language student and ended up opening my business here that has been doing well for almost a year now. cant wait to see how life goes here

[williamfiore]

110% Spot on!! I'm an American who spent my Decade from 1980 to 1990 and everything you have experienced I did too!!! In fact I was fortunate to have seen Korea rise from the Dictatorships to the Seoul Olympics. You have NO idea how much EVERYTHING has changed since then!!! Just wanted to tell you that you are in the Very Best Country for Experiencing an Overseas Good Luck with your teaching and Marriage. Korean women are Unique in this World!!!

[BrianHSC]

I'm opposite since I'm Korean living in USA but it's funny that everything you say applies to me as well. I think these are general difficulties any foreigner face living abroad. Not just in Korea.

[sandihunter]

My son has been in Korea for 9 years, first as an English teacher and now a headmaster at an International School. He loves Korea and has a Korean girlfriend. I haven't seen him in 5 years but this Christmas he is coming home to Canada!!!

[김도헌-nw]

한국인이지만 중간에 굉장히 공감되기 때문에 웃기는 부분도 있었고 흥미로운 내용도 있었습니다. 저도 직장 동료중에 외국인 친구들 있는데 한국에 살면서 이런 느낌이겠구나 하는 생각이 드네요. 당신이 앞으로도 행복하시길 바랄께요! ❤❤

[guillaumedenis]

Great video !

As a French who lived in Korea for a year back in 2015 I can tell than Korean work market is really tough for foreigners, especially if you don’t have any particular skill. I really enjoyed living in Seoul and traveling around the country but when it came to job search it was quite tough to be honest.

To anyone who is considering to live in Korea, I would really say that you need to be prepared for the extremely competitive work market. Nobody is waiting for you there and you will need to prove your value over and over again.

That said, Korea is an amazing country to live in, with a great culture, amazing food, and friendly people.

[mpandunky]

Your video has made me realize that Korea's property development has been quite balanced between modern buildings & nature. The city doesn't just have more buildings; it's got more trees and functioning parks as well.

[aellope]

I'm Korean and it is refreshing to see my country in foreigner's view point.
For police problem, unless someone is physically assaulted, they tend to have "Well, nothing we can do." attitude.
However if you really want police to do their job, you can ask police officer's name and file a complaint.

[anthonylim]

Korean-Canadian here. I had moved to Korea for about a year back in '07 working as a mechanic.. unexpectedly lol I worked 13 hours a day and the only days I had off were Sundays. It was quite an experience. I don't know how Koreans do it and still enjoy their life. Maybe not all but most. I guess that's the norm if you were born in Korea.

The hardest thing for me when I had to go back was - 정... people were genuinely nice and full of 정. They always tried to take care of me(I was the yongest) and take me out for dinner and etc but more so as my own brother and sister if that makes sense. I literally cried for hours when I had to leave... I'll never forget that... 정 is the nicest thing ever but yet the most hurtful when or if you have to leave it behind..

[MrTraveller.]

Great perspective & dialogue.
Been living in Taiwan 🇹🇼 +10yrs & can relate.

I love living in Asia

[jackier]

I already know a bit about Korea and what living there may be like as I have been looking into it for about two years so far, but I really wanted to say how informative this video was. There were no bells and whistles, no romanticisation, just pure facts and experience presented in such an honest and coherent way. Watching this felt like having a chat with a good friend. It took me back to when I knew nothing about Korea, and it's honestly so refreshing. Thank you for making this video.

[eliasorbon]

A wonderful video deserves a worthy comment.

I lived in Korea for five transformative years and resonate deeply with your analysis. I'd add that the quiet public decorum is a rare gem, and property ownership can indeed pave a golden road to prosperity. However, these pros have their darker reflections. The soaring property market devalues labor, leading to an unsettling imbalance.

Upon learning Korean, the veneer of politeness revealed a landscape of superficial interactions, seldom reaching the depth I yearned for. Coupled with an unsustainable demographic curve and a work culture demanding yet unrewarding, I found myself at an existential crossroads. While Korea offered a magical introduction during my 2018 Seollal arrival, the enchantment inevitably wore off, leaving a sense of unfulfilled potential.

Ultimately, I've found my sanctuary in Thailand, a land teeming with the diversity that I felt was stifled in Korea. Your video beautifully captured the pros and cons, but it's worth noting that what makes a place 'home' varies for each of us, shaped by our unique experiences and values.

[Hdr-rgfkz]

Korean citizen in the US here. Can't agree more that things change so quickly in Korea. I recently visited Korea for the first time in about 10 years, and things were quite strange at first. I didn't know how to call a taxi anymore, so many slang words I have no idea about, the food scene was different, now people don't rush into the subway before everyone gets out, etc. It was strange to feel like an outsider while in my home country. I'm sure the US has changed a lot too in the last 10 years, but probably nowhere near Korea.

[yasminelee]

Don't know why, watching your video teared me up a bit... I guess I felt your sincere love and value toward Koreans and Korean culture. :) Look forward for your next video. Bravo!

[TimaMikheev]

Amazing insides on some aspects of the culture that people usually don't know of. I'm so happy to hear you feel accepted and welcome here. I've been here for over 7 years and have also been thinking of making a video on cultural differences and things that are different in me after living here for so long. Amazing content, keep it up!

[Tt-at]

영상이 뭔가 고퀄이고 전문가스럽다고 생각했는데 관련 일을 하셨군요. 다양한 노력이 당신의 멋진 오늘을 만들어 준 것 같네요 앞으로도 화이팅입니다!

[Pejfjr]

As a Korean, yeah this is accurate. It's not a perfect place for everyone I think. But it would be quite good place to live in long-term if someone is willing to adjust their lifestyle and try to learn

[antonias]

I think your comments are very fair. I think this experience of being a foreigner happens wherever you are. Kudos to you for being so open minded and forward thinking.

[opicnojam]

What an incredible record of a decade-long transformation!

[calvinstark]

I love your attitude! It's realistic but positive :) My halmoni is from Osan!