I'm Midnight Running from Korea...

[Incredagogue]

Different strokes for different folks I guess....my first year here was awesome, even with a shit job!

Should really give notice before leaving rather than doing a midnight run. It's not only common courtesy, but your contractual obligation. Don't sully your good name by breaking contract, even if you feel like your situation could have been better.

[jimmyeatworldwar]

Behold! All the great and honorable defenders of Korea and her wonderful culture!

Jesus... it's like a bunch of wounded animals protecting their precious Korean cub. Like I said, I thought it was pretty clear that this thread was not a happy pro-Korea thread, but boy once the apologists smelled blood... things got real ugly, real quick, didn't they?

I

OP:

You are just full of crap. Its to an extent where your opinion doesn’t even seem sincere. You are full of hate to this country and anyone who enjoy there life here. My guess is that you are jealous of all the foreigners enjoying their life- something you were incapable of doing. That said, we all see that you are a looser, a real kid, ready to get to his mum’s open arms to talk about all your koochi koochi hardships you had confronted but were too scared to face it lol.
Careful of your wardrobe back home cause the scary kimchis will be coming to get you you know!

[mingus11]

One thing (in my opinion anyways) that seems painfully obvious is that this is clearly, without a doubt, a troll thread.

None of it seems sincere in anyway, everything from the logistics of the OP's situation to the entire way the post is written. First of all, I'm surprised no one finds it strange that in his first thread in November he mentioned that after he bought his 1000$ plane ticket home for his vacatation, he would still be left with 5000-6000 in savings. Impossible if I'm not mistaken. How does one save 6-7 grand in three months of work, at the presumably 2.1 mil won that seems to be the standard. It leaves me to believe that the OP is either a robot (he doesn't need food or water to surivive), or he was getting by on tap water and noodles, but then, how did he get to Seoul on weekends as he'd mentioned, does that not cost money?
Another VERY VERY strange thing to me, and I think the biggest reason why I can almost guarantee this is a troll thread, is how badly he hated Korea before he went home for his vacation, only to come back? He keeps saying he will go home to his family, a great job and great friends, so why on earth did he ever step foot in Korea again? A place that he clearly hates more than anything in the world based on the way he talks about it, (he actually said he would never come back to, and I quote, "this worthless, penis shaped country." Seriously who talks like that, unless you are a bored teenager, which I think the OP is.) Why didn't he just stay in America, where the people were so friendly in the airport, they all smiled and laughed and you all got along and sang kumbaya. That whole airport story reads like something out of a novel, a very very very dramatic novel.

Anyways, just my two cents, I would be willing to bet a whole lot of money that this is not a real post, it has all the characteristics of a troll post. In fact the OP probably wrote it during recess after he got bored and stumbled on this website. I don't think it deserves 80+ responses.

[Driver 8]

The lesson I've  learned from living here and just from adulthood in general,  is that there really is no such thing as a perfect situation, perfect country, perfect job etc.  Perfection is entirely elusive.  You always take the good with the bad.   Korea is both a good and bad country (just as anywhere is).  There are things that are great about it,  and things that are annoying and utterly perplexing about it.  The challenge is in learning what you value and what you can live with, and ultimately learning to focus on the good more than the bad.   I also think you have to view challenges, ultimately, as learning experiences.  Of  course,  if the bad  things are things you just can't accept, or like in the case of a horrible job, make it extremely difficult to live happily well then, I guess you move on,  as the OP has decided to do.  Personally though, I think the OP has given up too early in the fight, and that's sad.  That's just my two cents.

[AwesoMike]

Behold! All the great and honorable defenders of Korea and her wonderful culture!

Jesus... it's like a bunch of wounded animals protecting their precious Korean cub. Like I said, I thought it was pretty clear that this thread was not a happy pro-Korea thread, but boy once the apologists smelled blood... things got real ugly, real quick, didn't they?

I

OP:

You are just full of crap. Its to an extent where your opinion doesn’t even seem sincere. You are full of hate to this country and anyone who enjoy there life here. My guess is that you are jealous of all the foreigners enjoying their life- something you were incapable of doing. That said, we all see that you are a looser, a real kid, ready to get to his mum’s open arms to talk about all your koochi koochi hardships you had confronted but were too scared to face it lol.
Careful of your wardrobe back home cause the scary kimchis will be coming to get you you know!

Not sure how anyone can be a real "looser," Mr. English teacher expat allstar. Also: WTF is a wardrobe?

Thanks though, once again, for informing me of my great loss of the great life lesson that I would get if only I stayed in Korea...

If only I stayed in Korea, I could reach my goal of growing up to face the real world instead of being a "kid", or "youngster" or "westerner" or whatever rabbit you pull out of your hat to throw at people who don't agree with your ridiculous view of this place.

BTW... I realize there are people who are here who like living in Korea perfectly fine and aren't apologists-and that's great. The reason they aren't apologists is because they aren't freakin on here with sword and shield responding to an obviously not-pro-Korea thread- like half of you who are in denial.

[Yegob]

Behold! All the great and honorable defenders of Korea and her wonderful culture!

Jesus... it's like a bunch of wounded animals protecting their precious Korean cub. Like I said, I thought it was pretty clear that this thread was not a happy pro-Korea thread, but boy once the apologists smelled blood... things got real ugly, real quick, didn't they?

I

OP:

You are just full of crap. Its to an extent where your opinion doesn’t even seem sincere. You are full of hate to this country and anyone who enjoy there life here. My guess is that you are jealous of all the foreigners enjoying their life- something you were incapable of doing. That said, we all see that you are a looser, a real kid, ready to get to his mum’s open arms to talk about all your koochi koochi hardships you had confronted but were too scared to face it lol.
Careful of your wardrobe back home cause the scary kimchis will be coming to get you you know!

once again.. I think you're off on a tangent I don't particularly agree with.
I don't know if the OP is or isn't a Momma's boy, but nothing in his post made me immediately think he was particularly over tampered.

In my experience, the people who (tend to) "love" Korea are young males fresh out of school in good/decent/tolerable work conditions. It tends to be their first time living overseas, (they may have traveled to other places but not extensively and certainly never lived anywhere else). They have pockets flushed with disposable income in a way they almost surely wouldn't have back at home, live alone (away from parents)
they go out drinking with their buddies somewhat regularly and most of them have plain jane Korean girlfriends (whom they don't find plane jane (but any outside observer would whereas Koreans might even call them ugly)

[Spongeblob]

God it was so wonderful. God people were so warm! Right off the bat I smiled and felt my heart beat for the first time in a long time. I carried on academic conversations with strangers at the gate, I chatted about sports with randoms at the bar. I drank delicious beer (New Belgium), we nicely waited for others to get off the tramway before we got on, someone held the door to the bathroom for me.

This thread got derailed Man.  What about the beer Man!  Can you only get delicious American Beer from Airports or do you have to fly to Belgium?  These are life changing question Man! Sorry Man I got harsh.  (Opens a can of vegetable yogurt and offers everyone some.)

[Driver 8]

God it was so wonderful. God people were so warm! Right off the bat I smiled and felt my heart beat for the first time in a long time. I carried on academic conversations with strangers at the gate, I chatted about sports with randoms at the bar. I drank delicious beer (New Belgium), we nicely waited for others to get off the tramway before we got on, someone held the door to the bathroom for me.

This thread got derailed Man.  What about the beer Man!  Can you only get delicious American Beer from Airports or do you have to fly to Belgium?  These are life changing question Man! Sorry Man I got harsh.  (Opens a can of vegetable yogurt and offers everyone some.)

I think the OP was talking about New Belgian Beers like Fat Tire  (One of my favorites). If I'm not mistaken, it's Belgian style beer,  but it's brewed in the US.  I think.   I know you can buy it at the grocery store and a lot of bars / pubs have it on tap.    Damn!  Now I miss the US!   If you like good beer,  that is one absolutely legitimate criticism of Korea.  The beer here is terrible!  Are there any microbrews in Korea?  Someone start one!

[sejongthefabulous]

My first job was crap. I'll spare you the story. I could have left the country after that first year thinking what a despicable place this country is.  I would have left with a twisted image of the country. Luckily a few of the people I met were great and we got good jobs elsewhere from contacts we made.

Sure this place isn't for everyone. But trying one job in one place surrounded by a few people and then making judgments and forming strong opinions on an entire country and its people doesn't reflect well on one's character or judgement.

[Peekay1982]

Now it was all new and noticeable again... shoving to get somewhere first. Problems getting necessary school information because of the pointless ego-driven hierarchical channels all information must pass through. Getting stared down by glaring old Koreans who look at me, drunkenly growl something hateful to an equally drunk cohort and then regurgitate a wad of phlegm right in front of my toes as I walk through. Same rural ghost town... friends hours away by train. A normal life much further, even, than that.

I can't argue with any of this.

I beat the 4 month average that most normal people stay before realizing how utterly terrible it is here.

There's no way that's true. Most people finish their contracts.

Korean "culture" that is really just under the guise of Confucianism that has been hijacked by the worst (and outdated) parts of American consumerism and tabloid magazines

Sort of true. I was reading this week how the "ancient" and "revered" tradition of worshipping your elders at New Year was just appropriated from Japan during the occupation.

The culture here is to be miserable.

I know you didn't mean for this to be funny but it made me laugh. It's true! Koreans often seem like their own worst enemies. I have a good, happy life here but I would hate to be Korean and have all the ridiculous obligations they have.

Anyway - AwesomeMike is right. Life's too short. If you hate your life, fix it. If you hate Korea, leave!

[Mountain Crocodile]

I'd like to point out that the OP has posted 3 times on the first page and only once after that.

There sheer reaction displayed from this posting is just incomprehensible.

It seems you've all been played and the OP has just been given the perfect example of the type of insanity that can arise from just raising one particular idea in a thread.  One could have written that just for fun just to demonstrate the 'kind of person' this site produces and you've all done a fantastic job at giving him exactly what he wants.  Answer his question and move on..nuff said.

Bravo!           
 
MC

[Peekay1982]

Jesus... it's like a bunch of wounded animals protecting their precious Korean cub... I've seen quite enough and will be leaving promptly. For good.

Just read this. Mike, you actually sound like a douche. Good riddance.

[Smaug]

Hey I do mean I want to know what your school says in 3-4 weeks. Cuz I would lov to read the email they write you. They see that empty apartment- ha ha then I want to see the funny Konglish some guy writes you.

Please Please please put it up here when they do. Yeah you should just take out names.

If you don't want to just pm it to me.

So yeah in 3-4 weeks I want a big laugh lol !

If it is real real funny and I will send u or ur off the grid po box some green tea or Korean sea weed or squid or  something.

Cuz if u are leaving in a bad way u can at least get some humor off it. not that it is very good to do. but i admit to dreaming on it.

hope u have a nice last 3 weeks. maybe buy a big bag of kimchee. eat it at school and then u can shoot the - all over the hard to hit squatter. that would get you even. well maybe not- r u mad at the cleaning lady too?

[ch1can3]

Behold! All the great and honorable defenders of Korea and her wonderful culture!

Jesus... it's like a bunch of wounded animals protecting their precious Korean cub. Like I said, I thought it was pretty clear that this thread was not a happy pro-Korea thread, but boy once the apologists smelled blood... things got real ugly, real quick, didn't they?

I

OP:

You are just full of crap. Its to an extent where your opinion doesn’t even seem sincere. You are full of hate to this country and anyone who enjoy there life here. My guess is that you are jealous of all the foreigners enjoying their life- something you were incapable of doing. That said, we all see that you are a looser, a real kid, ready to get to his mum’s open arms to talk about all your koochi koochi hardships you had confronted but were too scared to face it lol.
Careful of your wardrobe back home cause the scary kimchis will be coming to get you you know!

once again.. I think you're off on a tangent I don't particularly agree with.
I don't know if the OP is or isn't a Momma's boy, but nothing in his post made me immediately think he was particularly over tampered.

In my experience, the people who (tend to) "love" Korea are young males fresh out of school in good/decent/tolerable work conditions. It tends to be their first time living overseas, (they may have traveled to other places but not extensively and certainly never lived anywhere else). They have pockets flushed with disposable income in a way they almost surely wouldn't have back at home, live alone (away from parents)
they go out drinking with their buddies somewhat regularly and most of them have plain jane Korean girlfriends (whom they don't find plane jane (but any outside observer would whereas Koreans might even call them ugly)

Most sensible post so far.

I also feel like the majority of people who love Korea haven't really lived in other east asian countries for a significant amount of time.  Having lived in China for a long time, the specific things people love about Korea are pretty normal every-day things in some other countries, which makes me kind of confused as I'm living here, and it's like not being insulted means that this particular Korean person is very "open-minded".  What?  No, he's just normal..

Dunno, Korea is pretty average to below average for me, but I've got experience living abroad in a bunch of places so maybe I'm different.  The OP says he lived in Argentina for a year, let's give him the benefit of the doubt?

[unclefrank]

It's simple why I'm in Korea....This gig is much better than living with mom and making $40 a night waiting tables in our horrible economy. That is...if you can find a job doing that. With that alone in mind, I can tough it out. That Belgium beer may not taste so good if you can't afford it.

[pit23]

Why is no one taking offense to the fact that the OP is midnight running?
You wrote about all the racism and what not that you have faced here, and your response is to do something that would make anyone in any other country dislike foreigners. You're being irresponsible and creating a headache for a bunch of people. Doesn't seem right to me.   

[Driver 8]

Why is no one taking offense to the fact that the OP is midnight running?
You wrote about all the racism and what not that you have faced here, and your response is to do something that would make anyone in any other country dislike foreigners. You're being irresponsible and creating a headache for a bunch of people. Doesn't seem right to me.

Yeah, it's irresponsible, but it''s not like they need him to  teach tomorrow.  I'm pretty sure it's winter break at most schools right now...unless it's a hogwan.  It doesn't excuse the behavior,  but the school has time to replace him,  for which they will probably wait until like two days before school starts anyway.

[southcareer]

I don't need this worthless, penis-shaped country to teach me anything more or waste any more time than it has already.

Mate, as an aside, I seriously recommend you get your knob checked out ASAP.

[CAdreamin]

Why is no one taking offense to the fact that the OP is midnight running?
You wrote about all the racism and what not that you have faced here, and your response is to do something that would make anyone in any other country dislike foreigners. You're being irresponsible and creating a headache for a bunch of people. Doesn't seem right to me.

Yeah, it's irresponsible, but it''s not like they need him to  teach tomorrow.  I'm pretty sure it's winter break at most schools right now...unless it's a hogwan.  It doesn't excuse the behavior,  but the school has time to replace him,  for which they will probably wait until like two days before school starts anyway.

Winter break is over...
I think it's cowardice that's preventing the OP from giving his school a notice. OP, you're making the rest of us (especially Americans) look bad. Give your notice, go home and get on with your life. You'd be upset if your school did a midnight run and disappeared on you, leaving you jobless overnight, right? You might think it's no big deal to just leave without being professional about it, but the rest of us NT's left in Korea have to deal with the backlash due to actions like this.

[eggplant_tyrant]

Why is no one taking offense to the fact that the OP is midnight running?
You wrote about all the racism and what not that you have faced here, and your response is to do something that would make anyone in any other country dislike foreigners. You're being irresponsible and creating a headache for a bunch of people. Doesn't seem right to me.

If you look a bit earlier in the thread, we are/were. The OP has responded a few times with more wailing and gnashing of teeth about his dislike of the country, flinging wild accusations of apologetics when someone has the gall to suggest that perhaps his assessment of Korea does not sum up the country quite as neatly as he might like to think. The raging tantrum in his second most recent post completely ignores the legitimate objections raised to the way he intends to go about leaving the country. Unfortunately, given his behaviour so far, there's not much hope of him suddenly realizing that he's being a selfish, thieving coward if he makes a midnight run immediately after next payday, so people have mostly given up on trying to help him. All there is left to do is poke at him with sticks to see what amusement he can provide for as long as he's willing to respond.