All to familiar with the above. I worked in Korea for three years as an English teacher, but found exactly the same to be true, especially number five. The entire culture seems obsessed with keeping appearances, rather than having any substance in anything they do. I found my time working there to be extremely frustrating.

u were a damn english teacher. there is no way in the world to compare a samsung man and a layman english teacher... come on please...

I wasn't comparing "samsung men" with "laymen english teachers", I was describing my experience of working in Korea from my vantage point. I don't think there is any less value in teaching Korean youth their country's chosen lingua franca of international communication than there is for working for a major company like Samsung, but that is a different discussion entirely and, quite frankly, I don't want to waste any more kinetic energy responding to you.

very volatile are we not? just cause someone questions your validity doesn't make that person a dumbass. i also have had experience teaching english in korea, and you should honestly question yourself. we have it easy. seems like your acting like a "cultural expert" as PU put it. i don't think you can compare a game of major league baseball to a little league's game although it could be a microcosm... but don't be pretentious. come on. while you're at it, why don't you go use up some more of your "kinetic energy" running around the small diamond?

I think you are the pretentious one that thinks that teaching English is an easy job compared to working at Samsung. There are good Samsung workers that take their job seriously and there are horrible workers that do the bare minimal. The same goes for teaching. If you can't see the point that "bustemup" was making, then I have a feeling that you couldn't do either of the jobs mentioned. I've been an English teacher (a good one) for the past 10 years in Seoul. I don't report directly to a Korean now but in the past when I did, I had last minute schedule changes, given no materials for the class but was expected to teach, given bad books but was expected to teach, or told I could have vacation but then later said that he never allowed it. This article is very accurate and it affects all of Korean society.

this isn't just korean society as a whole it's everywhere u go and such….if it isn't a union they get away with a lot of stuff sadly. we just choose to nit-pick on one thing and one thing only which is why the world is never what we can accept.

Completely wrong. I've never experienced even 10% of the BS that I have living in Korea. Korea is a first world country in GDP only.

I think it IS the South Korean society as a whole. Everywhere you look, you find evidence of it. Even all my South Korean friends report nothing but bad things about this topic and I have seen South Korean work practices with my own eyes for years.

Bustemup: 1
Others: 0

You know what, I shouldn't have called you a dumbass. But I take offense to people belittling English teachers, because although it isn't the most difficult career in the world, there are some teachers who find value in educating the younger generation. I'm glad you have experience in it. I will try running around the small diamond, I've heard its possible to burn a lot of calories that way.

I have seen this shared by Samsung men who aren't Korean and they agree entirely with this article. I have also had TESOL experience in Korea myself and I tend to agree with this article based on some extreme frustrations I experienced. I am not sure why you raised the arrogant superiority argument to try and undermine what this article is discussing. Many expats seem to be agreeing with it. Interestingly, a lot of Koreans acknowledge its true on facebook threads I've seen which happened to have been shared by these Samsung business men I spoke of.

Soooo... go suck a lemon!

But u ARE a dumbass

I think you are the pretentious one that thinks that teaching English is an easy job compared to working at Samsung. There are good Samsung workers that take their job seriously and there are horrible workers that do the bare minimal. The same goes for teaching. If you can't see the point that "bustemup" was making, then I have a feeling that you couldn't do either of the jobs mentioned. I've been in English teacher (a good one) for the past 10 years in Seoul. I don't report directly to a Korean now but in the past when I did, I had last minute schedule changes, given no materials for the class but was expected to teach, given bad books but was expected to teach, or told I could have vacation but then later said that he never allowed it. This article is very accurate and it affects all of Korean society.

I think you will find its YOU that is pretentious. Put simply, if you have people teaching you English, your chances of getting decent work in the future, reduce greatly.

teaching english at an elementary school or a english institute and even higher at a university is exactly how it has been described by the author...(exp: 4 years professor in sport sciences (not english) at two different universities)

Your troll posts are as meaningful as your username.

Sadly, some people who consider themselves English teachers don't know the difference between possessive pronouns and second person singular + be verb. I know this is 2 years old, and you may have stumbled upon some basic grammatical knowledge in between nights out at Thursday Party by now, but you should take a look in the mirror before criticizing anyone about anything.

Maybe this attitude is the real problem, while all Asian employees not just Koreans are yes men and the West is in disarray with bickering between themselves.
Although I agreed the standard of English teaching in Korea is very poor with most "teachers" going there for a year or two not with the determination of improving the language skills of the host country, but to have sight seeing trip at the expense of the Koreans, most of the so called teachers themselves could do with some lessons first.

It seem like none of you here really worked in a Korean companies or have done business with Koreans other then teach English. And then you compare Korean or Asian culture to a American culture. I have taught English, worked in a company, and have business now dealing with companies in Korea. And what this article basically describe every society out there and not just Korea and Koreans.

Only insecure people would say "Samsung men" and "laymen English teacher"... although paid different, I don't see any job more important or should-be-held-with-more-respect than another... if that is the attitude that some people still think of others... then they are just a sad sad person, and you shouldn't waste any more energy responding... totally agree with your points there... and all you really did was sharing your experience.

I work for Samsung in USA. I work regularly with the people in Korea.
I'd have to say I completely agree with this article. These are some of the most unproductive, unprofessional and unfriendly people I have ever worked with.

Have you ever taught English in Korea?

Samsung man are so overrated in Korea...

Regarding 'Samsung man', they pay you 1/4 of salary of what an equally skilled worker would earn in google or microsoft. Then they fire you when you turn 40.

Too bad they are essentially the same fucking thing.

Source: I've been an english teacher AND a "samsung man" in Korea.

compare a samsung man copying apple to an english teacher who improves creativity.

read my message above and i can confirm the situation is EXACTLY THE SAME IN THE SCHOOL SETTING...EXACTLY!!!

I couldn't disagree with you more. My husband works at Samsung and I can say you don't know what you are saying. Working in Korea for three years doesn't make you a korean culture expert.

You're right, it doesn't make me a Korean culture expert. I was merely expressing my opinion. You are free to have your own.

bustemup, I worked in South Korea as an English teacher for a while and then went on a different vocational path related to my field of study for several years, and surely yes, I agree with you, you can definitely both perceive and experience what you claim as an English teacher in three years - even one is enough to become aware of this. The reason is that this is a cultural phenomenon that permeates and saturates every level, aspect and form of life and business. It is a Confucian philosophy that dies hard even when reason suggests a better, healthier or efficient means. Additionally, anyone putting down English teachers who put up with it all in Korea for greater than a year are very little people no matter how big they think their job's title and rank was.

Saying by who? Oh, an English teacher, sure you can't have any other conception if you didn't belong to higher hierarchy.

You are exactly the type of pretentious low self esteemed Korean kid that is the result of this messed up Korean system. Take your anger elsewhere. Don't like how foreigners judge your country? Go cry me a river. Koreans judge other countries all the time. Look at how you guys treat Southeast Asian people.

Did you just call me an English teacher, P.U.?
I held a handful of high positions in universities in Korea. 99% of foreign workers who go to Korea for employment could not get the kind jobs I had as a professor in my field (highly technical and competitive field, non-English), as an international liaison establishing business relationships through global travel, and as a program developer and manager able to hire/fire. I was and remain connected up to the highest tiers so don't tell me I have no conception, and don't you even think about belittling English teaching professionals in South Korea, either, who do have an opportunity to witness this cultural phenomenon that is pervasive in the Korean group-mentality psyche.

Geez why is bustemup getting so much slack? It's just an opinion - that he too has experienced what the article identifies with. He's not claiming to know it all and know all experiences , he's talking about his own.

Samsung is just as dull and problematic as this piece suggests.

And where you say you were working?....

And why is my job so important to you? Oh, I know why. You are shallow. Chances are, I am making more than your husband with much less stress.

No, I'm not interested in your job at all... It is called "Sarcasm"
The only reason why I reply your comment it was because you were talking about samsung people and in sure that anyone working in that company would have done the same but from now It seems boring to keep this meaningless debate.
Regarding to the stress, I can bet is impossible you have less stress than a president of a Samsung subdivision who's just traveling around the world for closing deals and signing new contracts.
And I'm glad to hear you can make more than 350,000.00 USD per year it means you know how to live comfortable is. And if you call that shallow, sure I am... and I LOVE IT

My goodness...you must think everyone is stupid. Don't come here discussing about topics you obviously know nothing about. I feel bad for your family. Do they know how big of loser you are?

I didn't see this reply before.
From the words you say and the way to talk not I understand more. You are just resentful of life. The whole misconception you have about korean companies and specially samsung ( because you were the one who brought up SAMSUNG) is maybe because you have some bad experience with them.
Try to understand that not because you have a miserable job or a shitty life or your family hate you, all the people is bad. I guess you are the type of person just sitting in front of the computer trying to make everybody else unhappy like you by stupid comments in public forums.
Wow now I understand you. And I change from "not like you" to "feel sorry for you"
You should see a psychologist and it will help you a lot.
P.S. My family love and they are so proud of having a Doctor in the family.
Have a great day whatever your real name is. God bless you.

hahaha. "God bless you" after claiming someone have a "shitty life"? That says it all right there. Someone is doctor now? Really?? Are you going to keep making stupid out of yourself?

Hey P.U. Seriously, the world is a big place. There are great companies to work for in Korea, and there are many great companies to work for in other countries. Pull that stick out of your ass, and relax. I can only imagine you as one of those mentally disabled kids in online games that insult other players' parents. Grow up. Go experience the world. And I don't mean travel. Go and work, do internships here and there. Experience the culture and the world. Stop masturbating to your fantasy elf.

No, I'm not interested in your job at all... It is called "Sarcasm"
The only reason why I reply your comment it was because you were talking about samsung people and in sure that anyone working in that company would have done the same but from now It seems boring to keep this meaningless debate.
Regarding to the stress, I can bet is impossible you have less stress than a president of a Samsung subdivision who's just traveling around the world for closing deals and signing new contracts.
And I'm glad to hear you can make more than 350,000.00 USD per year it means you know how to live comfortable is. And if you call that shallow, sure I am... And I LOVE IT.
Have a great day!!

President goes out to close deals? LOL. What are you talking about? This is what happens if you don't do enough research. I am having a great day seeing someone making fool of themselves. Btw, what is your first language? Your English is terrible.

I'm not going to waste my time talking with brainless people like you. And you are the one who need to make a little bit of research I don't because I'm married to one of them and all I say is what I live. And you are completely right about something my English is not only terrible, it sucks!! Because my first language is German, second French, third Chinese and bit of korean of course so as you can see I was not interested of learning English for my whole life or like other who their biggest wish is to become "an English teacher"
P.S. You should not talk unless you are sure or you have a bit of idea what your saying otherwise you can look like an ignorant in a public forum.
Regards!

What's wrong being an English teacher? It is better than being a housewife who spends days in front of a computer pretending to be someone. So let me get this straight. You are German?! And trust me. You need to do more research if you want to go around pretending to be someone.

There's nothing wrong with being a English teacher but there's a lot wrong being disrespectful to a lady you don't even know. You call yourself man?

Soo --> Sin. Get it? :D

Nothing wrong with teaching English. An English teacher trying to be like: 'Amen!' to an article on corporate culture comes off as an oblivious dope though.

That's dumb. What can you comment on if you only comment on topics you are directly involved in? Korean corporate culture is there for everyone to see. Why can't people comment on the obvious?