The Southern Republic is one of the most economically developed states. The country's promising economic sectors are mechanical engineering, legal proceedings, the automotive industry, oil refining and high-tech manufacturing. Life in the southern republic cannot be called cheap. Prices for accommodation, food, taxes seem high for the average person... If you compare, prices in South Korea comparable to prices in Southern Europe.
South Korea has a well-developed tourism infrastructure. There are many hotels and inns in the Republic. If you want to get to know the Korean culture better, you can check into a “hanok” (traditional guest house) or a Buddhist monastery. It is worth noting that the classification of hotels here differs from the European one. All hotels are divided into five types: super-deluxe, deluxe and first, second and third class hotels.
As for apartments, prices are not inferior to the European average. A one-room apartment in a residential area will cost $300-400, in the center - $700.
Korean cuisine is quite varied and has high nutritional value, but at the same time it is low in calories. The main portion of the diet is rice and fish. When cooking, they are combined with vegetables, eggs, cottage cheese and seaweed. Seasonings include soy sauce, garlic, red pepper, sesame oil and ginger.
Local drinks are also made here, usually from fermented rice and wheat, such as jungjong (a type of rice wine), soju (similar to vodka). The main place for drinking alcoholic beverages is Suljip ( wine bar). But despite this type of alcohol, Koreans still prefer to spend time in tea and coffee bars.
If Korean food isn't to your taste, the hotels have restaurants offering Chinese, Japanese and Western European cuisine. Restaurants offer both table and counter service.
You can also cook your own food; markets and shops have a wide range of products.
When buying products by weight, it is important to look at the price tag, because the price may be indicated not per kilogram, but per package or per piece.
Here are the average prices for essential products:
More expensive products do not differ from average prices in southern Europe.
An attractive feature of working in the Republic is the employer’s attitude towards colleagues as full-fledged partners.
Cooperation here is perceived as an exchange of services, which gives great chances for getting a well-paid job. But it is important to take into account the peculiarities of the South Korean mentality. Special attention Koreans pay appearance and respectability, so an employer may reject your application if they don't like your photo, despite a well-written resume.
In South Korea, IT specialists, programmers, engineers, technicians and researchers are relevant.
Requirements for hiring are the same as everywhere else. The applicant must have experience in the field in which he is applying and confirm his qualifications. Knowledge of other languages in spoken, written and technical form is also taken into account.
For people who are not able to prove their qualifications, there is always a job in a factory, farm or construction site. Some employers even provide housing.
The average salary in the Republic is $3,400 per month. There is no pension in South Korea; when a person becomes incapacitated, his children provide for him.
Korea has entertainment for both active and relaxing pastime lovers. In winter, the country attracts with its ski resorts and thematic festivals. And in summer, places with thermal springs and big beaches.
Lovers of night entertainment can also find their refuge here. IN major cities There are entire networks of night clubs, bars and karaoke.
For culture lovers there are many interesting museums, galleries, theaters and concert halls.
This is one of the developed industries in South Korea. Treatment here is a good alternative to treatment in Germany or Israel, but at a slightly lower price.
Oncology clinics stand out among all clinics; they are considered the best in the world.
South Korean clinics provide the highest level of service, which includes 24-hour service. This allows you to be examined, take necessary tests and get results in the shortest possible time.
Specialists from South Korean clinics are considered the most experienced in treating complex and dangerous diseases.
The following diseases are treated with great success in the Southern Republic:
The most convenient way to travel within the country is by railways. They connect all the main settlements. Main international Airport is located 52 km from Seoul, connected by a high-speed highway.
Trains have four types:
In addition to trains, there are a huge number of intercity buses, standard and deluxe, running in South Korea.
South Korea has well-developed public transport, distinctive feature which is low cost. These are mainly buses and taxis, and there is also an extensive subway network in Seoul, Daegu, Busan and Incheon.
In addition, you can rent a car. Firms providing this service are located in hotels and airports.
The Southern Republic boasts a modern and, not unimportantly, high-quality communication system. Here, on every corner you can find pay phones, both “coin-operated” and those that work with international credit cards.
Internet access is available in most hotels, as well as in all kinds of Internet cafes. Wi-Fi also works almost everywhere, but in order to connect to it, you need to have a local SIM card or rent a phone.
South Korea is considered one of the safest countries in the world: there is practically no drug addiction here, cases of pickpocketing or robbery are very rare, and a stolen car becomes a real sensation. Cases of open rudeness or rudeness are almost excluded here, thanks to the high traditional morality of the Koreans. But with all this, Korea ranks first in the number of victims in car accidents.
Tourists in Korea are treated kindly, but there may be problems with understanding, since there are few English-speaking people here.
South Korea is a true shopping paradise. There is a huge variety of department stores, markets, shopping centers, duty free shops and entire shopping districts. And all this is complemented by reasonable prices and a huge selection of goods and services.
The largest shopping centers are located in Seoul, or more precisely in one of the shopping areas - Myeongdong.
The capital has a large variety of antique and art shops, as well as specialized markets.
Cosmetics, precious furs, silk, leather goods and Appliances. Traditional souvenirs here include porcelain, ceramics, jewelry, dolls dressed in traditional clothes, and items with mother-of-pearl. And of course, we must not forget about all kinds of teas, extracts and tinctures.
South Korea has hosted many international competitions, including the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Traditional sports are supported in the country.
Korea is also the founder of Taekwondo, which has received recognition throughout the world. Beginning with Olympic Games 2000 in Sydney, Taekwondo was included as an official sport.
Archery is very popular in the Republic. One of the traditional pastimes is flying kites. As a rule, snakes are made in a square shape from bamboo sticks and special paper. No holiday is complete without kites.
We are not trying to outdo the propaganda directed against South Korea by their northern neighbors. Only personal feelings of a person living in the Land of Morning Freshness.
1. Increased attention
If you are of European appearance, then they stare at you endlessly, each time looking away or looking away, pretending that they are just looking somewhere in your direction. Well, this is the fate of blond people, but I wish others to fully enjoy the beauty of Korea.
2. Closedness of people
The concept of true friendship in Korea and the countries of the former USSR is very different. In our country, for example, not everyone is called a friend, but only those who have proven through time and actions that they are worthy of your trust. Koreans call almost every acquaintance a friend, even if they don’t have a particularly close relationship.
However, this does not mean that Koreans are such friendly and open people. They are simply trying to maintain the status quo of a universally philanthropic attitude towards each other (I don’t bother you, and you don’t bother me). Often, Koreans make friends for selfish reasons, such as learning English, appearing in a favorable light in front of friends by being friends with a foreigner, or simply because of money.
Therefore, I would like to advise you not to rely entirely on the word given by a Korean, especially if this is your business partner or employee, because there is a high probability that once you trust, you can find yourself in an uncomfortable position, and that Korean will pretend that it is all your fault. Unfortunately, real strong relationships They are very rare in Korea.
3.Collectivism
If in the Western world, first of all, people value individuality and a creative approach to everything, then in Korea it’s the other way around: what is most valued is the ability to not stand out and be like everyone else. At school, for example, even in highly competitive conditions, many students do not realize their potential simply because they do not want to stand out or seem like upstarts or “smart guys.” There is also a strong tradition of forming your own narrow circle, in which everyone follows the same rules and fashion.
Another example can often be seen on the streets: if it starts to rain a little, then Koreans take out or quickly run to buy umbrellas, even if the rain is not heavy. However, if you are walking in the rain and just decide to enjoy the autumn weather, then passing Koreans will look askance at you, because you clearly stand out.
On top of that, it's very difficult to make friends with Koreans unless you belong to the same group as them, be it a class or a club. Very often, Koreans avoid expressing their opinions publicly or openly in person; instead, in order not to stand out, they will most likely agree with everything with a smile, and subsequently, not in front of unnecessary witnesses, will express their indignation or anger.
4. Inability to speak directly
Very rarely will a Korean ask you for something directly, but mostly he will beat around the bush, trying to apologize a thousand times, and asking: “I’m sorry, but is it okay if I bother you with my request?” etc. And only after a series of long explanations and apologies will the Korean hint at what he actually wanted to ask for.
And here lies the biggest difficulty for foreigners, especially for those who are not familiar with the culture of the East: foreigners simply do not understand what they want from them, and waste their time on meaningless explanations. As a result, a conflict may occur, or one of the parties (Korean) may feel insulted, because how dare this foreigner not understand if I’m crucifying myself in front of him for half an hour.
However, the same applies to foreigners: if possible, when talking, or if you need help from a Korean, be very modest and naive, as if you have no other choice but to bother your Korean friend. In this case, by being humble and polite, both parties can reach a mutual agreement. And finally, the most important thing is to learn to read hints, a Korean will never tell you directly “yes” or “no”, his answer will almost always be somewhere in the middle.
5.Age matters
Perhaps the very first thing you will be asked in Korea is your age. Even in an era of tremendous progress and high technology, Korea maintains the Confucian way of society. This means that everything interpersonal relationships clearly structured according to the concepts of ethics and seniority. Even with minimal age differences, people address each other differently, using different politeness styles. This may seem very respectful and polite, but in my experience, most of it is nothing more than blind adherence to tradition.
6.Ethics and manners
In theory, this is a topic for a separate article, so I will try to be brief. Even with all their feigned politeness, Koreans very rarely know how to behave at the table, especially the older generation. My friends and I often noticed how Koreans (most often old people) slurp loudly, talk with their mouths full, and make all sorts of other obscene sounds. Unfortunately, I don’t understand why such behavior is not directly condemned by anyone, and is allowed.
Another example of bad manners is that Koreans do not know the boundaries of personal space. For them, the norm is to stand and chew gum, slurping loudly in the elevator, or to come close to you on public transport. The most interesting thing is that, according to the Korean stereotype, this behavior is more characteristic of the Chinese, for which Koreans laugh at them and look down on the Chinese.
7.Education system
If you are planning a family life in Korea, then you will most likely have to get acquainted with the Korean education system. I don’t think that everyone will like it, because, in my opinion, education, devoid of any creativity and based on constant cramming, simply has no future and is not able to compete with other countries. In addition, during the period of final exams, the whole country falls into hysteria, when parents visit temples and churches, praying for high scores for their children, and schoolchildren, unconscious, try to memorize what they missed.
At this time, students experience enormous stress and pressure from parents, school and society, because they are firmly convinced that if they do not pass the exam with the highest score, then 12 years of study, parents' money and hours of self-study have been wasted.
Therefore, I advise you to think hard about whether you are going to doom your child to the 12 circles of academic hell? I think no.
8.Food
If you are a fan of Korean cuisine, then numerous eateries scattered throughout the city streets are at your service. However, if you are a follower of your national cuisine and want to cook for yourself, then several problems arise. Firstly, the price of products is much higher than in Kazakhstan. Secondly, such familiar products as kefir, sour cream or cottage cheese are simply not here. Thirdly, the quality of the bread is disgusting.
Koreans just don't do it good bread, and if there are bakeries that make good tasty bread, then the price for one loaf can exceed 4 dollars, which for me personally looks like complete madness.
9. Lack of variety in the kitchen
If you are a strict Muslim, Buddhist or vegetarian, then Korea is absolutely not a country where you will feel comfortable. Korean cuisine is replete with pork and many other types of meat, so if you, due to your religion, cannot eat one or another type of meat, then nutrition can become one of the problems.
The lack of Muslim restaurants and eateries makes life quite difficult for many students, as it takes time to find good meat and cook it, or to find a restaurant that does not serve pork, disguising it as beef.
The same goes for vegetarians: in most cities, with the exception of Seoul and Busan, it is very difficult to find a good vegetarian restaurant, so you will most likely have to cook your own food.
10.Borsch!!!
I, being a student of Russian nationality, abandoned by fate to a foreign land, unbearably miss my mother’s soups, and in particular borscht.
Once I had an idea to cook borscht (all according to my mother’s recipe), and then the problems began.
In Korea there are almost no beets, without which you can’t cook good borscht. So, to taste a plate of borscht (even of the lowest quality), you will have to pay three times more money than for a regular lunch at a diner.
I tried to list the main problems of life in Korea, which, in my humble opinion, can become an obstacle to comfortable life or traveling around Korea.
Workers who live without breaking laws and do their jobs well receive up to 1 thousand grams of rice, meat and eggs in return. They constantly report on TV that residents of other countries do not have all this and live much worse. Check it out to an ordinary person impossible, since only trusted individuals are allowed to communicate with foreigners.
Life in North Korea is about complete obedience. If a person keeps a radio in his house, listens to the music of foreign performers, or watches foreign TV channels (although this is practically impossible), he will be sent to hard labor or prison. The situation is worsened by the fact that repression is imposed not only on the offender, but also on his entire family. And the whole family ends up on the so-called black list. This is fraught with the fact that no one will be accepted into the university, there will be no work, and entry into the capital is also prohibited. For particularly serious crimes, a person is publicly executed.
There is one huge advantage to such laws: there is virtually no crime. The nation is growing healthy and strong, because from childhood everyone attends classes, is regularly examined by doctors and does not eat much. No woman has the right to pick up a cigarette.
North Korea's birth rate exceeds South Korea's. But these numbers will soon become equal, as the country’s government is pursuing a policy to reduce the number of children in families.
As strange as it may sound, even though Koreans often do not have bad habits, their life expectancy is decreasing. Now he is 66 years old. This figure is constantly falling due to the fact that women and children suffer from the general situation in the country.
An expert on US international affairs said that the amount of food allocated per person is not enough to restore vital energy. Therefore, life expectancy in North Korea, especially for ordinary workers, is only falling.
The problem with this system is that some areas of the country simply do not receive it. This is due to the fact that the state has a basic rule - to notify the government of your intentions to visit any area.
The war, or police operation, was carried out from 1950 to 1953. This confrontation is also called the “Forgotten War”, since it was not mentioned in official publications for a long time.
In fact, this conflict was fueled by poor relations between the United States and its allies and China. The Northern Coalition consisted of the DPRK, the army) and the USSR. The latter two countries did not officially participate in the war, but actively supplied weapons and finance. The Southern Coalition consisted of the Republic of Korea, England and the United States of America. In addition to the listed countries, the UN was also on the side of the South.
The cause of the war was the desire of the president of both North and South Korea to unite the peninsula under his leadership. This belligerent mood radically changed life in North Korea; photographs from those times are irrefutable evidence. All men were liable for military service and were required to serve more than 10 years.
During preparations for the confrontation, the government of the Soviet Union feared the outbreak of the Third World War, which was their reason for not fulfilling some requests from North Korea. However, this did not affect the supply of weapons and military personnel. The DPRK gradually increased the power of its army.
The war began with the occupation of Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea. It ended with India making a proposal to create a peace treaty. But since the South refused to sign the document, Clark, a UN general, became its representative. A demilitarized zone was created. But interesting fact What remains is that the agreement to end the war has not yet been signed.
North Korea is very aggressive, but at the same time reasonable. Political scientists in other countries suspect that the leader of the state has experts who can advise right decisions and predict the consequences in a given situation. It is worth noting that North Korea is a nuclear state. On the one hand, this forces hostile countries to take it into account, on the other hand, maintaining such weapons is quite expensive; many European countries have long abandoned them.
In 2006, there were more than 1 million people in the army of the Democratic People's Republic. There were over 7,500,000 in reserve, and 6,500,000 people were members of the Red Guard. About 200,000 more work as security guards at military installations and in other similar positions. And this despite the fact that the country's population is no more than 23 million.
The contract with the ground military is for 5-12 years. A man has the right to choose where to serve: in the army, division, corps or brigade.
Service time in the Navy is slightly shorter, ranging from 5 to 10 years. Thanks to the fact that the government spares no expense in developing its army, people are fully equipped with the necessary equipment, weapons and protective suits.
Unlike other countries, the state in question is investing in intelligence development, which significantly worsens the lives of people in North Korea.
Most of the military is concentrated in the area of the demilitarized zone. The People's Army has at its disposal more than 3 thousand main and 500 light tanks, 2 thousand armored personnel carriers, 3 thousand artillery barrels, 7 thousand mortars; The ground forces also have approximately 11 thousand anti-aircraft installations. Such uniforms require the investment of large amounts of money, which could bring the country out of stagnation.
Life in North Korea (reviews) ordinary people this is confirmed) due to such a militant attitude, it makes no progress, or rather, it simply stands still. The indigenous people don’t even know that it is possible to exist in any other way. It’s not for nothing that the country’s rulers came up with a slogan, the essence of which is not to envy anyone and live only on your own. This policy helps in some way to maintain control over the common population.
Unfortunately, all people living in the country are prohibited from talking about how hard their lives are. However, tourists who have visited North Korea willingly share all their memories and impressions.
According to reviews from travelers, entry into the country is carried out only with the help of travel agencies. All the time, a person or group of people is under surveillance and moves around the city or region only with a guide. Radios, telephones, and any other gadgets are not allowed to be imported. This goes against the government's beliefs. You can only take photographs of what is permitted by the guide. In case of disobedience, the person is added to the blacklist and is prohibited from entering North Korea.
It is immediately clear to the naked eye that people live an average life. Poorly dressed, empty roads. Cars appear very rarely, which is why many children play on the roadway.
There are a lot of soldiers on the streets, who are also forbidden to photograph, especially if they are resting.
People travel on foot or on bicycles. Tourists are given free rides near the hotel. By the way, the corridors in the building resemble horror films. There have been no renovations for a long time, people appear here extremely rarely. In addition to bicycles, residents use bulls.
Both women and children work in the fields. Abandoned areas located on military bases are rich in small decoys that look like tanks.
Some buildings have escalators, which have only recently appeared. People are not yet used to them and have little understanding of how to use them.
Electricity in houses is provided for several hours. Trees and small monuments are whitewashed not with a brush, but with hands.
In the spring, people eat ordinary grass added to dishes, which can be quickly and unnoticeably picked from a neighboring lawn.
The DPRK's economy is not well developed. Due to the fact that since 1960 the country has become closed and stopped publishing production statistics, all conclusions are given by independent experts and cannot be 100% reliable.
The most closed country is North Korea. Life for ordinary people here is not the best. You can only get around the city by bicycle. Cars are an unprecedented luxury that an ordinary worker can hardly afford.
Anyone wishing to enter the capital must first obtain a pass. However, it's worth it. There are picturesque places, various monuments and monuments, and even the only metro in the whole country. Outside the city you can hitch a ride. Military personnel must always be given a ride - this is the law.
All residents of the DPRK must wear badges with state leaders. Also, citizens who have reached working age must get a job. But since there is often simply not enough space, local authorities come up with new activities, such as baling hay sheaves or cutting up old trees. Those who have retired also need to do something. As a rule, parties are allocated a small plot of land, which the elderly undertake to look after.
Everyone has long known that North Korea, where the life of ordinary people sometimes turns into hell, has cruel laws and follows in the footsteps of fierce communism. However, there is something with which this country attracts and beckons. These are parks, nature reserves and simply very beautiful places that you can admire endlessly. What is “Dragon Mountain” worth, which is located 30 minutes drive from Pyongyang.
Life for women in North Korea is very difficult. Mostly men are involved in the army, they have practically no benefit for the family, so the weaker sex became more active and was able to prove that they could live in such conditions. Nowadays, women are the main breadwinners. They are the ones who work around the clock due to the somewhat inadequate laws of the DPRK, aimed only at protecting the state. If we compare modern life with any historical era, then we can say with confidence that Korea lives in 1950. The photo below is proof of this.
South Korea is a country of cinema, music, prosperity. The country's main problem is alcoholism. The state ranks 7th in the world in terms of drunkenness, but this does not prevent it from advancing, expanding its sphere of influence and becoming a powerful power. The Government of the Republic conducts its foreign policy in such a way that it has a good relationship with many European countries.
The people living in the country are kind, helpful, they always bow and smile at passersby. And this trait is especially evident in the service sector: in cafes, restaurants, cinemas. The buyer, or rather the person who pays the money, is treated like God. Under no circumstances should he wait long for his turn. Due to such rules, service in this country is distinguished by quality and speed.
Education is what makes South Korea different. He she top level. Poor academic performance, which entails failure at university, means expulsion from society.
The army is not as well developed as in the north, but everyone is required to serve here - from workers to pop stars. The consequences that await after attempts to evade service are reminded of the constantly flying North Korean planes in the sky. Men are drafted closer to the age of 30. As a rule, Koreans get married very late, often after demobilization.
Their apartments look sparse. Only those who work tirelessly can afford houses. The citizens themselves laugh at the apartments and other housing that is shown on TV and published in magazines, saying that this is just a fantasy.
North and South Korea, whose living standards vary greatly, unfortunately, do not even think about uniting with the world. Some kind of conflicts and risks of renewed war constantly arise, which greatly impacts ordinary citizens of the north and forces them to migrate to other countries.
Read about why in South Korea it is better to be a foreigner than a citizen of the republic, why curlers on the head of the chairman of the Constitutional Court of South Korea are not an accident, and how it happened that a sectarian became the president of the country.
Anna Lee 25 years old, journalist for Distortion Magazine, traveler without the skill of taking “beautiful photos.”
In 2015, I graduated from university, sent out my resume to the overlords of the office plankton in the hope of forgetting the meaning of the word freelancer, and dreamed of a summer in Barcelona. And then I fell in love. In Korean. After going through all the stages of denial and coming to terms with the fact that this is the greatest love on Earth, I moved to South Korea. Now I live in Seoul, studying the Korean language and trying very hard not to go bankrupt in the stores with treacherously scattered around the city.
South Korea is a mononational country with a Confucian heritage that has made an impressive leap from a poor agrarian state to a high-tech post-industrial republic, thereby creating the so-called “economic miracle on the Han River.”
These factors had a tremendous impact on the formation of the mentality and way of life of the inhabitants of the Korean Peninsula, and for me, a person in love with Europe, life in Korea in many ways became a revelation. I’ve been living here for less than a year and a half, and perhaps the “glasses” in my eyes are still rosy, but I can’t help but feel that being a foreigner in ― is great, and sometimes even better than being a citizen of the Republic of Korea, squeezed into the framework of a strict hierarchical culture.
ATTITUDE TO UKRAINIANS AND OTHER FOREIGNERS
First of all, it is impossible not to notice that in South Korea you find yourself among Asian faces. 98% of the republic’s inhabitants are Koreans, and I would have a very hard time if they turned out to be racists. It is obvious that Koreans are nationalists who adore their country, but their nationalism, as a rule, does not result in aggressive attacks towards other peoples. If we talk about how hanguks ( South Koreans), refer to Viguks (foreigners), it is important to clarify which ones. The “most beloved” foreigners are Americans. Everything connected with the USA is considered cool, young people dream of studying in America or going there for an internship, because with such data in their resume high paying job provided for at home.Inserting an English word into Korean speech is, again, considered cool. A Korean of any age can speak a certain set of English words, but many Hanguks are still too embarrassed to speak English.
The “most beloved” foreigners are Americans. But, in principle, all English-speaking foreigners are very valuable friends for Koreans, because thanks to communication they will help improve colloquial speech and the peculiar pronunciation of “Coringlish”.
But South Koreans treat immigrants from poorer Asian countries arrogantly - as cheap labor. The Japanese cannot be tolerated at all, since they remember the brutal period of occupation, but, of course, no one talks about this openly. So-called ethnic Koreans scattered around the world are treated differently. Some - as to their lost brothers, others - as to another people. Language knowledge also influences attitudes. The older generation does not understand how a Korean, even if born in another country, can not know Korean. Young people often have no idea what kind of ethnic Koreans they are who live abroad.
In short, the Opium Wars ended in 1860 between the Chinese Empire and European countries. The Beijing Treaty was signed, according to which the Russian Empire acquired a border with Korea at the expense of former Chinese lands. At that time, a terrible famine was raging on the Korean Peninsula, so Koreans began to move to the territories of Russia and China due to a lack of land and food. A new wave of emigration occurred as a result of the Japanese occupation of 1910, and 1937, known in the post-Soviet space as the time of the most severe wave of repression, was also the year of deportation of ethnic Koreans who had inhabited the Russian Empire and then the USSR since 1860, to the steppes of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan , which further alienated them from their historical homeland. In the USSR, Koreans were subjected to the Russification policy, which is why many ethnic Koreans do not know the Korean language.
My husband works in a Canadian bar in an area for foreigners, and next to the American base, so 95% of the visitors are English-speaking guys, the staff also speaks English. One day a Korean came to the bar, drank too much and started a real scandal: “Why does everyone speak English here?!” This is Korea, speak Korean!”, tried to climb onto the bar counter and actively waved his ID. As it turned out, the man was an employee of the district immigration office. It happens that a person gets sick.
Everyone has heard about Ukraine, but the depth of knowledge is the same as that of the average Ukrainian about Zimbabwe.
They know that Ukrainians play football well, they know about the revolution and war in the east of the country. Recently they asked whether strawberries are grown in Ukraine and “what they feed you there,” hinting at the beauty of Ukrainian women.
BEAUTY IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN SOUTH KOREA
My great-grandfather was Asian, so many new acquaintances often ask if I am half Korean. I get compliments on my double eyelids, which have “so much room for blending shadows,” and my white skin, which was especially “appreciated” by the saleswoman in the jewelry store where I was choosing a ring: “Oh my God, such hands! White-white." Sorry, I can't convey the intonation. Although Korean women use whitening creams, many have a neck and body that is still darker than their face. In Ukraine, I had the opposite problem: even the lightest foundation in the European line of decorative cosmetics was always several shades darker than my neck. Getting a tan was completely unrealistic, but in Korea, it turns out, it’s no longer necessary. Here in the summer, women walk around with umbrellas, apply themselves as impenetrable, and swim in the sea dressed.
South Korea is a country where, to be successful, you need to be beautiful. And only then smart, and even better - diligent: here perseverance is valued above intelligence.
Beauty standards in Korea are quite strict and detailed: snow-white skin, double eyelids, wide straight eyebrows, small lips, high bridge of the nose, V-shaped chin, weak cheekbones, convex forehead, skull (the shape of the crown should also be rounded), small face ( “You have a face like a fist” is an amazing compliment), and of course, slimness - all this applies to both girls and guys. The ideal height for a girl is 170 cm, for a guy - 180 cm and above, besides, a toned body for men is an unconditional plus. Most Korean celebrities and idols meet these requirements; among Korean female celebrities, examples include actresses Jun Ji Hyun and Go Ara, singers Sulli, Song Na Eun, and Kim Yura. Among the handsome boys: Kim Soo Hyun, Lee Hong Bin, Kim Jin Woo, T.O.P.
Everyone who works on television is beautiful. Anyone who is not handsome is a clown, that is, a comedian. And all because South Korea is a country where, to be successful, you need to be beautiful. And only then smart, and even better - diligent: here perseverance is valued above intelligence. That's why parents give gifts to their children for their birthdays, both women and men use cosmetics, and fashion trends turn into the uniform of Korean shopaholics.It is easy to recognize a foreigner, even if he has an Asian appearance: visitors are not dressed in Korean fashion. For a Korean, fashion comes before style if something is fashionable― That means everyone wears it.
POLITICAL SCANDAL AND CURLERS
If I got used to shortened pants and oversized clothes back in Kyiv, then I still can’t come to terms with the fashion for curlers. Today is like thisthat it is fashionable to wear thin, slightly curled bangs and, in order for this bang to be perfect, Korean women curl it with curlers and, confident in their irresistibility, walk around like this everywhere. Curlers for bangs are sold individually as decoration: if you want - with rhinestones, if you want - with flowers. Curlers even became involved in politics.
No one could have imagined that the president’s family would be replaced by a sect, and government decisions would be made under the influence of fortune-tellers and mystical rituals.
On March 10, I was following the news about the impeachment of the President of the Republic of Korea and saw news about the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Lee Chung Mi, who came to the meeting with two pink curlers on the back of her head. In general, at first I decided that this was a new round of fashion, and the curlers moved from my bangs to the back of my head. But it turned out that the chairman was so absorbed in thoughts about the announcement of the verdict that she simply forgot to take off her curlers. The reaction of the Koreans themselves is interesting: instead of sexist banter, they dubbed Judge Lee Chung Mi a “symbol of hard work” - they say, she was not thinking about herself, but about the fate of the country. This, of course, pleases, because the already ex-Park Geun-hye is called a “chicken”, and this is perhaps the softest thing that has been said about her in recent months.
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Meanwhile, Park Geun-hye's life is worthy of a detective novel. Her father, Park Chung-hee, was the dictatorial president of Korea from 1963-79. During the next attempt on his life by a North Korean agent in 1974, his wife was shot, and in 1979, Park Chung-hee himself was killed by the director of the South Korean CIA, tired of the constant pressure from the sovereign.
In her youth, Park Geun-hye came under the influence of Choi Tae-min's sect "Yensenge", which combined elements of Christianity and traditional shamanism, and his daughter, Choi Sun-sil, became the best friend of the future president. The scandal erupted when journalists discovered a tablet with secret documents, and further investigation revealed that Chae Sun-sil edited the president’s speeches, thereby determining the direction of politics, military strategy and national security of the country, carried out corruption schemes, defrauding millions of dollars from the largest companies, including Samsung and Hyundai, and performed shamanic rituals in the Blue House (presidential residence). In general, not a girlfriend, but “Rasputin in a skirt.” During the last presidential campaign, Park Geun-hye promised to devote herself to serving Korea, since she had neither parents, nor husband, nor children, and the Koreans, who remembered what a dictator her father was, were convinced that her daughter was not responsible for her father’s actions. answer. Then no one could have imagined that a woman’s family would be replaced by a sect, and government decisions would be made under the influence of fortune-tellers and mystical rituals. But this one amazing story not so surprising considering the mentality of Koreans, who are easily influenced by charismatic individuals or the majority.
THE OTHER SIDE OF LIFE IN SOUTH KOREA: SECTS AND SUICIDE
Christianity is spreading rapidly in Korea. Catholic, Protestant, Baptist and even Orthodox churches host more than 30% of the total population of South Korea. There are also plenty of near-Christian sects collecting considerable sums from parishioners waiting for the Second Coming. At the same time, the older generation does not disdain the services of shamans and fortune tellers. Look into tarot cards before making an important decision, marriage or business deal― normal, but expensive practice.
Koreans have built one of the most high-tech, safe and comfortable countries to live in. A country in which Koreans themselves sometimes find it so unbearable to live.
However, Confucian philosophy is still strong in Korea with such concepts as humanity, a sense of duty, justice, morality, observance of customs, attentiveness, unity, honoring parents, respect and submission of a subject to the sovereign, a son to his father, a wife to her husband, and junior - to the eldest. Combined with hard work, a focus on potentially progressive sectors of the economy, and “development loans,” the Koreans have built one of the most high-tech, safe and comfortable countries to live in. A country in which Koreans themselves sometimes find it so unbearable to live. South Korea ranks first in suicide rates among developed economies year after year. This is back side Confucianism and a hierarchical society with displaced values, in which position and money decide everything. Childhood is spent cramming, marriages are arranged without a drop of love, and appearance is more important than intelligence and inner content.
According to statistics, 42 people voluntarily die from life every day.
The history of Seoul's Mapo Bridge, which acquired a terrible reputation due to its proximity to the business center of the capital, is indicative. South Korea has some of the most. Deprived of the meaning of life (read ― money), Koreans go to the bridge after unsuccessful deals or dismissal. And if you don’t have the courage to jump into the Han River, then there is Twitter, where “kind” people cynically offer to buy reliable way die. For just $1,000 you can purchase a sealed tent and a bottle of sleeping gas. According to statistics, 42 people voluntarily die from life every day. Foreigners fall out of this terrible system; the requirements for veguks are minimal - to be law-abiding and comply with social norms.
WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT SOUTH KOREA?
At the same time, Koreans are very polite people, and they treat even strangers kindly: they will cover them with an umbrella if the rain takes them by surprise, they will tell the “lost” how to find a street or landmark, and if they have time, they will even spend time. Korean service, also known as social security, deserves special admiration: my freebie-averse nature rejoices every day. Having ordered food in a cafe, I get a few Korean snacks or soup as a “social security”; in cosmetic stores my “social security” includes samples of popular products; the “social security” comes with a protective film, a case or a portable battery for my smartphone. By the way, about the little things: in Korea It is not customary to tip, since the waiter receives a decent salary thanks to the employer and does not depend on the generosity of the visitor. I don’t have to rack my brains, as I did in Kyiv, about how much percentage of the bill I should tip the waiter, who was clearly doing me a favor with his royal presence.
Korean service, also known as social security, deserves special admiration. And the feeling of comfort and care for the people living in Korea is the first thing you notice already at the airport.
The feeling of comfort and care for people living in Korea is the first thing you notice, first at the scale of Incheon Airport (every year it receives the title of “Best Airport in the World”), and then in various, completely optional, but pleasant little things. The first time I saw a map of the Seoul metro, I was horrified: 9 lines, more than 300 stations scattered not only throughout the capital, but throughout the entire Gyeonggi district, how can you even remember this? But it turned out it wasn’t necessary, because it’s enough to have an app with a metro map and not be colorblind. The Koreans have built a special Airport Railroad line, which is a little more expensive than the entire subway, but will take you from the suburbs to the heart of Seoul in just over an hour. In winter, the metro has heated seats, in summer - air conditioning, some cars have special places for luggage, the last three places on the sides of the car are for old people, each outer seat by the door is for pregnant women. You can’t hear any “give way to a pregnant woman/grandparent” here. And in general, it is not customary to give up your seat to old people: they are all cheerful here, young-looking - they may be offended.
There are toilets at every metro station: huge, clean, free, all booths have an “SOS” button if you suddenly feel sick and need help. Women's restrooms have separate wall Sometimes there are chairs with a mirror and a table, and in some metro stations there are even separate rooms so that girls can fix their makeup and not interfere with others washing their hands or brushing their teeth (this is normal).
And Korea is also mountains and hills. I live at the foot of Seoul's Namsan Mountain, and it took me a couple of weeks to stop getting out of breath walking home on a road with a critical 50-degree incline. And to the long list of fears “what could cause me to die” was added a car leaving the handbrake. But what kind beautiful views! And minus 2 centimeters from the hips in the first month.
FOOD IN SOUTH KOREA: DO KOREANS EAT DOGS?
And finally, about the favorite food of Koreans. No, not about dogs. It’s not so easy to get to them, and the last market selling dog meat was recently closed. I haven't seen a single restaurant in Seoul that serves dog meat. They say it is expensive, and mostly older men eat it for potency. Koreans' favorite food, practically their heritage, is kimchi: fermented vegetables, most often ― Chinese cabbage with red pepper, dried anchovies and other seasonings. There is a kimchi museum in Seoul: this sauerkraut has already flown into space, and many Koreans are the proud owners of separate kimchi refrigerators, made, of course, specifically and exclusively for storing kimchi. Imagine if in Ukraine they did the same for pickles. Refrigerator for a cucumber! Cucumber in space! Well, okay, my favorite kind of kimchi is the one that doesn't make me cry (that is, with a reasonable concentration of red pepper). It also turns out very tasty if you fry kimchi.
I haven't seen a single restaurant in Seoul that serves dog meat. In fact, Koreans' favorite food is kimchi.
But what surprised me most was that at Incheon Airport, in front of the control of documents and personal belongings, there was a huge poster prohibiting the export of kimchi and seasonings for its preparation from Korea! In general, there is nothing to do, I want kimchi - come and visit!
Surely you will also be interested: brave Yulia talks about beauty standards in China, the ambiguous attitude of the Chinese towards foreigners whom they call “laowai”, and the shocking details of life in what was once one of the most closed countries in the world.
Strictly speaking, this girl is sharing what she doesn't like about Korea. But overall, I liked the story. To be honest, I have no idea how Koreans live. Precisely in the south, not in the DPRK.
What I don't like about Korea
1. No buckwheat. I'm not a big fan, but you unconsciously start to miss her. I found it only in the Russian quarter near the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park station. Of course, it’s overpriced, but if you want it, you can buy it. Red caviar too ;)
2. No place to swim. The rivers are dirty, the sea is dirty, swimming is prohibited everywhere. Everyone swims only in the pool:`(In the summer it was 33 degrees during the day, 28 at night... In Tver I would go to the quarries in the evening, in Moscow - to Serbor, but here - what? Nothing:(((You can jump into the Khan River and breaststroke running away across the river from the police. Well, as an option.
3. You can’t go to barbecues. In general, lighting a fire in the forest is strictly prohibited. There is only one camping spot, but it is heavily booked in advance and sells out within seconds of opening a reservation. There are special houses that you can rent and where you can have a barbecue in a specially designated space, but this is not the same at all :(
4. Skydiving is terribly expensive. In Russia, this pleasure costs about 6,000 rubles, in Korea - about 500,000 won (at the current exchange rate - 23,000 rubles!). It’s also expensive to ride horses, so is surfing, and so is snowboarding. All that's left to do is go to karaoke and drink soju :(
5. I don't have my shoe size. Generally find women's shoes larger than size 39 is unrealistic, unless you buy a multisex: (Everyone tells me that somewhere in Itaewon you can find large shoes, but I didn’t succeed. Hopefully you will be more successful, fellow big-footers:)
6. There are a lot of markets in Korea with cheap, beautiful clothes, but you can’t try them on. It's annoying. Arrrrrr.
7. No one jogs on the street - only in gyms. It sucks:(And you have to pay for the gym. Closer to the middle of my stay in Korea, I found special running zones: along the rivers. In principle, it’s cool. There’s even a special base for running, so as not to seriously injure your knees.
8. Terribly stressful office work, which takes a lot of effort and time. How does this affect me? Just a couple of Korean friends - office workers, and sometimes it’s simply impossible to get them out somewhere, since they go to work at 6, and leave work at 12 at night. But they get a lot. In Russia, the average salary is 20,000 rubles. In Korea, the average salary is 2000 bucks...
9. Koreans drink very often, almost every day. And this applies not only to young people, but to everyone. Alcohol counts effective way stress relief. After work, going out for a drink with colleagues is a must. Everyone hates, but everyone goes. Because everyone wants a promotion. Well, on weekends with friends is also a nice thing. Going for a drink with a girl would be a good idea too :)
10. Expensive fruits. It is a fact. Heading to Korea? Take vitamins and ascorbic acid with you, and more of them.
11. In general, collect more medicines, hell, buy them at the pharmacy. I say, give me something to rinse my throat, and in response, just eat these pills after meals: (At the pharmacy you can’t choose what you want to buy, everyone has to take only what the pharmacist gives. So don’t be lazy, purchase medications in advance in Russia.
12. And about a painful topic. Although it’s easy to get to the hospital (you don’t have to have health insurance), doctors are usually very expensive:((By the way, another life hack. When you apply for an ID card at the immigration embassy (and I STRONGLY recommend that all students do this immediately upon arrival, so as not to carry you are abroad everywhere and so that your length of stay in Korea accumulates), you will be asked either for medical insurance or, if you don’t have it, for a health check.
And if you are in Seoul immigration, don’t be lazy, find out the way to the nearest hospital - it’s very cheap there. About 500 won (yes, exactly two zeros). You need a photo there too! And there you can immediately get a health check for part-time work in food places for 1,500 won. About the path: you leave the doors of the immigration office, go straight through the gate outside to the road.
Turn right, cross the road, and still go straight. By right hand There will be a park from you (the walk is about 10 minutes, don’t be alarmed that it doesn’t end quickly). Cross the road again and in front of you is a certain complex of buildings. Turn right in front of it, reach the end and turn left. And look for hospital signs. You'll figure it out later.
By the way, when you create an ID, immediately ask me to write down what documents you will need to renew it (these documents are 10 times more than just creating an ID) - then you will thank me. Opening an ID card costs 30,000, renewal costs 60,000. This ID card is called an alien registration card. It is a visa type, that is, you do not need to go to Russia to renew your visa every time if you study in Korea for a long time.
To establish an ID, you will need to take a document confirming payment for your studies and enrolling you in it, a foreign passport, 30,000, and another 10,000 - take a photo with a photo machine at the immigration office and make photocopies of your passport. When you take the photo, be sure to keep your hair back so it doesn't cover your ears. Plus you will need to fill out an application form. That seems to be it... Although check with your friends.
I don’t remember whether the establishment needed, or was it for renewal, a document-agreement for renting an apartment in Seoul. And to renew, you will also need a Korean bank account and (required!) a certificate of academic performance for the previous semester from the university. You can also call the immigration office and find out everything in more detail. :) Well, or ride a few times, like everyone else does))))
Well, I’ll continue the list :)
13. If you decide to sunbathe, for example, by the river, or just somewhere on the lawn in the park, as is often done in Moscow, people will start pointing at you and maybe even take pictures. Nobody sunbathes here. Koreans have a cult of white skin. They even swim in shorts and T-shirts (both girls and boys).
14. A little about the sore point. There are few trash cans around -_- And if there are, you always have to think where to throw the garbage - because they divide everything into plastic, glass, etc.
15. Girls do not wear things with open breasts. For them it’s... well, like for us gypsies feeding their children with their bare breasts on the train. They turn a blind eye to foreigners, but if you have more or less an Asian appearance, then get ready for all the Korean grandparents you meet to come up to you and scold you :) But this does not stop Korean women from wearing super-short skirts and shorts;) so there is some compensation)))
16. Still, the average height of a Korean person is lower than that of a Russian. This does not mean that there are no tall ones, but there are fewer of them and for the most part tall guys, girls are short.
17. In clubs in Hongdae, guys turn into some kind of animals, trying to squeeze girls for whatever it takes. In general, this point is negative for me, but, as they say, whoever likes what;) For ladies, it’s better not to look at the Korean club near Hongig University - go to the club in Gangnam or Itaewon.
18. You can’t really ride a bike around the city - there are mountains everywhere. No, not hills - MOUNTAINS. If you have ever been to Ufa and walked up the hill from the railway station, then you will understand what I mean. So, the whole city is covered in such slopes!
19. Male Koreans are strange creatures. Usually they will not talk about the problem face to face, but will simply run away. What happened to my friend - she went on a date to the cinema with a Korean guy, everything was fine, we laughed, ate popcorn, after the movie we went to the toilet, she comes out, waits, but the guy is not there. I waited 40 minutes. He ran away and then didn’t even let anyone know about himself. But he’s alive, changing his ava in cocoa stream :) This is a vivid example, so to speak. There are many more examples. For example, a friend of a friend was dating a guy, and after a month he simply disappeared. Apparently not wanting to explain the breakup. Well, they don’t like unpleasant conversations, so what can we take from them...
20. There is no cheese in Korea. There is only a melted type in squares... No, of course, you can find it in supermarkets... But it will cost its weight in gold. Cheese lovers - take it with you from Russia :) And there is no kefir either :(
21. Bicycles are super expensive. Even the principle “well, I’ll buy the cheapest one” won’t work. Advice: torture your Korean friends who have an ownerless bike.
22. I generally like the Korean mentality. Except for the mentality in study and work. Instead of using their time as efficiently as possible: rest-work-rest-work, they work constantly. They are in constant stress and do not give themselves a second to stop. Everything is built on the principle of cramming and monotonous work. Hence depression and suicide, already recognized as a national problem.
On this cheerful note I end.
P.S. In general, of course, it’s difficult to compare with America. By the way, there are quite a lot of Koreans in the USA. I already wrote somewhere that they are friendly, persistent, persistent and very peaceful guys.
Why am I writing this? If you can't escape to the US, there are other options. Korea is not the worst, especially if you have Asian appearance and origin. Join in!
