🇰🇷How I've changed since moving to Korea😭

TikTok + IG @rachelheheh

[rachelheheh]

Just my personal experience but it’s a more conservative society in general so: more social rules, ppl tend to judge u more based on ur appearance/age/job etc. Makes it more difficult to just *be yourself* imo

[Zezelala]

I recently just moved to Korea and I can agree with this😂!

[imogen]

It is great you sharing this, because some girls only want to move to Korea because of kpop/kdramas lol, just like Japan with Anime.

[BusanNinja]

It was the opposite for me. every social interaction in Korea was so predictable/ formalized that i knew how to act in basically every situation. Plus I knew Id get a pass from fitting in as I'd always be a foreigner. This was a bit liberating as people have no real criteria to judge you by.

[seohyunlidia]

Me as Korean: going to convenience store on my pajamas 😶

[anmolkessani]

Life changes whenever you move out of your country and the real challenge is to blend in.

[Sam-xrlf]

For me, it’s the opposite…I had too much social anxiety as an Indian living in India but that changed once I moved to South Africa mainly because people there don’t stare/gawk unnecessarily…They strictly mind their own business..However In India irrespective of what you wear people from all age groups stare at you without any reason giving you too much anxiety…That will only stop when once you stare back at them with double the force..It’s tiring though😂😂…I wish my folks change this habit..

[sage]

definitely feel like it would be opposite for me. i feel anxious in the U.S. because of the culture. it’s like you’re expected to be so extroverted. but i’m such a reserved, modest person, i feel like it would be better for me somewhere else. i never fit in here lol

[Bamtori-ty]

Me too girl, I grew up in Korea and had horrible social anxiety. But when I moved to the states, it was like it was cured 😭

[VanillaLatte-sgxs]

I am Korean and lived there about 15 years before I moved to the States. I can see why your social anxiety grew after moving to Korea. I literally had to dress up for going to grocery store for grabbing snacks or running errands just in case I run into my friends. I moved to the States after my middle school and still could not walk out the door without finishing my eyebrows until I realized my friends would not notice or care if I had full brows or just a couple baby brow hair. Koreans are very judgy for sure, but there are so much good things about Koreans and their culture for sure as well.

[DS-wlpk]

America is a society that lets you do what you want, it’s up to YOU to control yourself and keep YOURSELF on task and in line. (However that is for YOU, you get to decide). Places like Korea have a culture and society that will (through social pressures) keep you in line and act as a guide for you. You’ll usually never be confused about how it is you should behave, dress, etc.


There are benefits to both. There are cons to both, from lack of direction to freedom of growth, to a rigid structure where judgement can be harsh to stability and routine in your daily life.

It then pretty much breaks down into personal preference. Some thrive in an environment where you can make your own decisions and deal with your own consequences. Others thrive in an environment with a set structure and way of living.

[ghosti]

As a South Korean living in Texas I 100% agree. Everything in Korea is all about status and money and education.

[pizzapie]

I’m reading comments about how people are feeling the need to dress up just to go to a convenient store in South Korea. I live in the US. One time I went to a store with a chicken hat on, boots, basketball shorts, and a flannel. Other times my friends and I got high and one of my buddies wore a freaking tiger onesie into walmart. No one said a thing to us. It’s crazy here though… we’re all crazy. I feel like Koreans are much more proper and well behaved. I think there are pros and cons to being that way and I also think the US has pros and cons to being as crazy and care free as it is. Both places have good and bad and I hope everyone realizes that.

[angelicasysnila]

As an indian, it's a dream for me to walk freely on streets without being judged, and for that reason, i absolutely love US. You can do cartwheels on streets and people won't give a single f
I guess this is the problem in whole asia

[Bigbbs_umchileanywaysso]

I had terrible social anxiety and I went to Bangkok and bih I’m talking to EVERYONE I don’t speak their language they don’t speak mine but I’m complimenting everyone and I get compliments left and right. It’s amazing

[JsPiano]

i’m the reverse LOL i used to be very outgoing in korea but developed social anxiety in the US… i think the stress you feel in a foreign culture plays a big part

[CrankThatPropaganda]

For me it’s the exact opposite — I have never felt more invisible here and I love it 😂 No random strangers trying to talk to me, no one looking at me, no unwanted interactions, absolutely nothing, it’s introvert heaven

[vernicegirl]

It was the opposite for me. I didn’t give two fucks when I was in Korea 😂 when you’re black they stare at you no matter what anyway so I just stopped caring. I met some of the sweetest people though. One man gave me an umbrella when he saw it was raining super hard and I didn’t have one 🥹🥹 I miss is there so much.

Edit: I’m aware a lot of Koreans stare at anyone who isn’t Korean. I know white people get stared at too. And I no I don’t take it offensively. I’m just stating that since I know I stand out in a homogenous country, I’m not as self-cautious.

[straberryshinigamig]

Having lived in Japan for 3 years, I can agree and empathize.
I felt like I couldn’t express myself.

[irena]

I'm Korean, and I agree with this Korean society is very hard to express yourself and to be free