Following the rise of Korea’s popularity on the international stage with the likes of K-pop and K-dramas becoming household words, Hallyu, or the Korean Wave has led to Korea quickly rising as a desirable country for foreigners to travel to. Inevitably, this has simultaneously led to many coming to Korea in search of work; English-teaching has become a job that has become largely prominent in recent times. Despite the massive and still-increasing volume of immigrants looking for English-teaching occupations, each holding their own vision of what life in South Korea may be like, many have encountered experiences that have disappointed their initial expectations. Much of these problems can be attributed to the lagging pace of cultural and legal changes in contrast to the sheer rapidity at which South Korea has gained its popularity. Thus, while the prospect of immigrating to Korea to teach may seem enticing to many, it is not without its challenges and array of disadvantages that must be considered before making the move.

The long-term visa opportunities offered by the Korean government are limited compared to those of other countries, often requiring proof of employment in a highly specialized industry. However, becoming an English teacher in Korea as a foreigner from an English-speaking country remains as one of the most accessible methods to live in Korea. The E-2 visa — the English-teaching visa, in essence — requires just a bachelor’s degree and Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification (TEFL), which can be earned through around 100 hours of practical experience. Given this relatively easy pathway into long-term stay in Korea, the market for these jobs in Korea has become highly competitive. This, in conjunction with the fact that South Korea holds strict laws regarding staying in the country with valid visas, has led to many aspiring English teachers becoming victims of exploitation by employers well aware of the situation.

Two distinct employment avenues are most notably available: public schools or night schools (hagwons). The latter, due to a lack of direct regulation by authorities, has become the prime grounds where foreign teachers are often taken advantage of. E-2 visas require proof of employment in order to stay valid, thus some employers frequently blackmail their teachers with the threat of deportation to work in underpaid conditions. This often locks individuals in an inescapable trap where their only choice is to continue working for these schools to avoid leaving the country with a criminal record. In addition to this fact, career progression for foreign teachers is significantly limited. They are unable to move up in the inherent hierarchical system of South Korean culture that is exacerbated by the pseudo-racism apparent in its homogenous society. On the other hand, any legal action rarely occurs in Korean employers being prosecuted for their actions. This all leads to harsh living conditions faced by more naive aspiring teachers who are unable to find a way out of their situations.

This is on top of the general challenges that follow the process of immigration — language barriers being a prime example. Many services in Korea do not have any English alternatives, which present teachers who are not fluent in Korean with a wide array of problems. This can range from simply being unable to carry out basic everyday needs to unknowingly signing exploitative contracts. Beyond this, there are obvious difficulties to be encountered in the different teaching styles that Korean students traditionally use to learn English that focus purely on the language’s grammatical aspects rather than actual proficiency.

Working as English teachers in foreign countries is an excellent way to explore the world and learn how to live in unfamiliar cultures. However, overenthusiasm and ignorance without carefully considering employment options too often leads to situations where individuals are manipulated into doing work that is not in their interests. Teachers must do their due diligence and ensure that they have considered the legitimacy of potential workplaces and any existing drawbacks before committing to as big a decision as emigration. Despite the fact that this issue is not present just in South Korea, it is prominent enough that many individuals have come out online about their negative experiences. In a similar fashion, the government must also adapt with the times and work publicly against malpractice by employers with ill intentions.