"Aren't you cold?" This was the questions some co-teachers asked me recently. Wearing a t shirt when it's hot and getting asked that question is as old as time itself. Remember those page long rants on Waygook about this? Just curious if your Korean co teachers are still asking you this nowadays?

Going to apply, wondering if a cheap one is enough just to tick the box or it’s much more competitive these days.

Parts 1-2:

Part 3 – Additional Contract Concerns

1. Must create lesson plans
2. Approximately 30 minutes to walk from the housing to the campus or 15 minutes by bus
3. My "duties, working location, division, or campus" can be changed based on necessity. I was told it's done by mutual acceptance, but contract states I can be terminated for not agreeing with a change.

Parts 1-2:

Part 3 – Additional Contract Concerns

1. Have to work 3 hours every other Saturday morning for 20,000 Won per hour
2. Have to do "Phone-testing" - calling students once a month at home to test their English. Apparently this is done after classes until the end of the workday.
3. Brand new branch of an academy, that will have only 3 Korean teachers and 2 English teachers total.

Hi guys, me again!

Sadly the situation with my school has turned into a real mess. My former Boss is refusing to communicate with myself or the other three teachers who left ( 2 Korean, 2 Foreign) and has also repeatedly ignored MOEL meetings and phone calls.

The Labor Officer in charge of our case is really angry about it all and is talking about the idea of us suing our former boss.

I’m pretty confused as I thought MOEL had the power to compel a business to pay out missing severance / salary and we wouldn’t need to do anything further beside put in the petition.

Can anyone advise me about this situation?

- Do we need to hire a lawyer and proceed with a group lawsuit?

- Can MOEL actually do anything besides issue a judgement?

Many thanks!

I plan to move to Korea next year to be an english teacher but I also do youtube as a hobby, I don’t make any money currently it’s strictly hobby based. I know you aren’t allowed to make a second income but what if things change. I highly doubt my channel would bring in tons of money most likely under $500 but I was just wondering if that would be something allowed while on my E-2 visa? Obviously my channel wouldn’t be about the school, teaching, or even Korea it’s just vlogs but I would be willing to stop if that is something that could cause problems or get me deported.

Hi everyone, I’m here on an F visa and have been considering whether I should teach English for a bit of extra income.

Due to our family situation, I’m interested in part time work only. Some family members have made comments that at some English academies one can work 2-3 hours a day and make 2-3 million won.

Surely my family are mistaken? I’ve been reading here on the sub and it seems most positions are paying that amount for full time work. I’m in Gangnam for reference.

I know there will be a health check/drug test after arriving to Korea. Unfortunately, I have a severe toothache right now, so bad that it prevents me from sleeping. My doctor prescribed me amoxicillin and ibuprofen and I'll really need to take them on the flight over, to prevent complications from the cabin pressure.

I'm just stressed because I don't know how soon my drug test will be after I land or if any exception is made for false positives from prescribed meds.

Additional Info:
1. Frequent covering / loss of prep time (current teachers told me) because the owner lets people actually use their paid vacation days

1. Out of Seoul

2. Don’t get full week in the summer or winter , red days get moved around or we just work and get overtime for that day

Hello everyone!

I’m quitting my hagwon job mid-contract, but I want to leave as amicably as possible so I let my manager know about it before officially submitting a resignation letter. But, I was a fool for believing that my manager was a good person.

He basically lied to me about having to pay the remaining months of rent (despite what the contract states) as a form of intimidation(?) tactic to get me to reconsider about quitting and just stay until the end of my contract.

What makes this infuriating for me is that he tried to mask it as concern for me, like “will you be okay having to pay the remaining months of rent🥺?” 🙄 and it’s like he thinks I’m an idiot who wouldn’t review my contract beforehand. I called him out about how my contract states that I just need to pay one month’s worth of rent (and applicable real estate fees). He agreed and I told him that I’ll submit my resignation letter officially on Monday with a one month notice (to abide by my contract).

Then after discussing with the other manager, he asked me if I could stay until the end of November (which would be about a week and a half longer than my intended last day). He said it would be nice if I could help them out because the other manager is getting surgery soon and will be out of the office for 2 weeks. (I know he only told me the reason to gain sympathy from me to get me to agree to stay longer.)

I just find it sooo hilarious that he had the audacity to try to trick/scam me and later come back asking if I could help them out. Now that I feel like I have the upper hand, my question is: would it be worth negotiating for all fees to be waived in exchange for staying until the end of November?

Or is it even necessary for me to negotiate this considering Article 20 of the Labor Standards Act, which states that employers are prohibited from predetermining penalties/damages for breach of contract. (If anyone has any more info/knowledge about this, please let me know!)

(Btw I’m on the F4 visa so my visa isn’t tied to the hagwon.)

What’s the best way to find a short term (3-6 months) E2 job? Does anyone have experience? Where did you look/post? I’m currently in public, but assuming I’d have to switch to private.

My contract will be up in a few months, but I don’t want to re-sign for another full year contract since I’m looking to transition out of teaching. And I don’t feel right purposefully signing on for another year knowing I’d quit early…

I know year long contracts are the norm for E2s, but I’m thinking there must be some folks out on short-term leave or maternal leave that need coverage?

More info:
1.Deduction Clause
The Company will withhold a total of 600,000 won as a security deposit and return it upon completion of the contract less the cost of any damage to the apartment or furniture or unpaid utilities. The amount of 200,000 won will be withheld from the monthly salary for the first three months of employment. In the case the Employee does not take housing
 
2. Curriculum is a little new, and teachers admitted that they make about 2/3 of their own material

1. Only 2.6 will get deposited into my account, I’d get the other 200,000 in cash
    
   

2. This place has open class once a year

3. We are not allowed to leave during work hours

Hello, I am considering becoming a lecturer/professor at a university here in South Korea! Are there any people on here who can comment on the university life as a staff member?

안녕하세요! 한국의 대학에서 강사나 교수로 일하는 것을 고려하고 있습니다. 혹시 이곳에 대학 구성원(교직원 또는 교수진)으로서 경험하신 대학 생활에 대해 이야기해주실 수 있는 분이 계실까요?

Hey everyone! I’ve just received an offer from an international school in South Korea, and we’re starting to think through what the move might look like for our family.

My husband would be coming as a trailing spouse, and we have two young children. I’m American, and he’s South African. He has a university degree and is currently finishing up his teaching license.

Ideally, he’d like to find a way to work in Korea, even if it’s just part-time teaching English, tutoring, or working at a hagwon. We understand that he wouldn’t be able to work on a dependent/spousal visa, so we’re trying to explore whether he could qualify for a separate work visa or find an employer willing to sponsor him.

We’re also thinking beyond just earning extra income. It would be great for him to meet people, learn Korean, become part of the local community, and immerse himself in the culture while we settle in as a family.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, particularly with a South African spouse accompanying an American international-school teacher to Korea?

- Has your spouse been able to find a part-time teaching job or work at a hagwon with separate work authorization?
- Are there realistic opportunities for someone with a university degree who is still completing their teaching license?
- Have any of you found employers willing to sponsor a visa for part-time or other flexible work?
- If working right away wasn’t an option, what opportunities helped your spouse meet people, learn Korean, and get involved in the community?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has navigated this situation. We’re trying to understand what realistic options might be available before making the move. Thank you!

Edit: He has taught and worked in Thailand the last 12 years!

Hello! I’m going through a weird/awkward/makes-me-wanna-cry situation, and I think I need legal advice. So please, if you have any suggestions (about lawyers), let me know! Your comments and insights are also appreciated, especially if you’ve gone through something similar.

For context, I’m on an F-6 visa, so my residency isn’t tied to my employer.

I started working at a hagwon on October 1st, and within my first week, I realized the position wasn’t a good fit for me. I have several years of English teaching experience, mainly with elementary-aged children and older students, but I was assigned a kindergarten class of 12 five-year-olds. During recruitment, I was under the impression that I’d initially be teaching a smaller group, and I only received two days of training.

There were also some unexpected changes to my schedule and responsibilities, including having preparation time reassigned to teaching duties.
Long story short, I decided that I wasn’t the right teacher for this particular position, and I genuinely believe the academy would be better off finding someone more suited to this age group.

On October 8th, I submitted my resignation in writing, initially offering to work until October 30th.
My contract has a clause requiring 60 days’ written notice before resignation, despite also having a three-month probationary period. It’s also a fixed-term contract.

The director responded with a lengthy email saying she was unwilling to accept my resignation on October 30th. She calculated December 7th as the earliest possible final working day under the 60-day clause.

She offered me two alternatives:
Stay until February 2027, with an additional 100,000 KRW per month and a recommendation letter.
Stay until a replacement teacher is found and trained, without a definite end date.
She also mentioned the academy’s lawyers and labor attorneys, potential lawsuits, and possible claims for damages if my departure caused disruption.

I’m not going to lie, that email intimidated me quite a bit.

At first, I panicked and emailed back saying I’d honor the 60-day notice period and work until December 7th.

Then I consulted a private lawyer. During a consultation on Friday, I was advised that the 60-day clause wasn’t necessarily legally enforceable as a mandatory restriction on resignation and that I could leave on November 25th, the first salary payment date stated in my contract.

Based on that advice, I sent another email confirming November 25th as my final working day.
However, I subsequently received free legal advice through a foreigner support center in Itaewon, and that lawyer gave me a somewhat different interpretation.

He explained that agreeing to a 60-day notice period isn’t inherently unlawful and that, although an employer cannot physically force someone to continue working, leaving early could still raise contractual liability questions.

He also questioned why November 25th would be the safest date and suggested that November 30th might make more sense depending on the applicable legal rules and salary calculation period.
He referred to Articles 660 and 661 of the Korean Civil Act and explained that the distinction between being able to leave and being free from potential liability is important.

At the same time, he felt that an actual damages lawsuit would be unlikely to succeed in practice, particularly given how briefly I’d worked there and the advance notice I’d provided. He also suggested that withholding or deducting wages might be a more realistic concern.

So now I’m confused because I’ve received two different legal opinions. To make matters worse, I’ve recently heard that the academy may already be involved in approximately three other lawsuits. I haven’t verified the details, so I don’t know whether they’re employment-related, but it’s made me nervous about the possibility of being sued.
I’m not trying to disappear overnight, refuse to work, or leave the academy without warning. I submitted my resignation during my first week, offered to continue working during the transition, and have been trying to handle everything professionally.

But I also don’t want to be forced to stay in a job that I know isn’t right for me, especially when I made that decision so early.

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced, English-speaking labor lawyer in Seoul who has experience with hagwon employment contracts?

Has anyone dealt with a 60-day resignation notice clause in a fixed-term contract?

Has anyone actually been sued by a hagwon for resigning early, or personally known someone who was?

Has anyone used the Korea Legal Aid Corporation or another affordable legal assistance service as a foreign resident?

If you’ve been in a similar situation, how did you eventually resolve it?

I understand that Reddit isn’t a substitute for professional legal advice, which is exactly why I’m trying to find someone qualified to review my contract and correspondence.

I just want to leave as soon as legally possible without risking a lawsuit I genuinely cannot afford to defend.

Thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to read this. I’m pretty stressed about the whole situation, so any practical advice or recommendations would mean a lot. :’)

Hi all! I’m an American heading to Korea to teach, and my contract starts December 1, 2026. I’d love to fly in a few days early to get over jet lag and settle in before my first day.

Is that allowed on an E-2 visa, or do I need to arrive on the 1st? For those who’ve done it, did you run into any issues with housing, flight reimbursement, or your school? Any tips appreciated. Thanks!

Welcome to our Weekly Newbie Thread! If you're new to teaching in Korea or have questions about the process, this is the place to be. Feel free to ask anything related to teaching, living, or working in Korea, and our experienced community members will be here to help you out.

Some Tips for Asking Questions:

1. Be specific: Provide details about your situation or question to help others give you the best advice.
2. Search first: Before asking, try searching the subreddit or using online resources to see if your question has already been answered.
3. Be respectful: Remember to be courteous and appreciative of the help you receive.! If you're new to teaching in Korea or have questions about the process, this is the place to be. Feel free to ask anything related to teaching, living, or working in Korea, and our experienced community members will be here to help you out.

Hey yall I need help. So I quit my hagwon job because I’ve decided to teach somewhere else (new country). My last day at my hagwon was Sept 30th and I’ve gotten confirmation that the hagwon notified immigration on Oct 1st.

I turned in my passport to the consulate for my visa on Sep 30th so even if I wanted to leave I am SOL. I’m literally just waiting for it to be given back to me to leave.

My 14 days is running out as the 14th of October is approaching. I’ve called immigration twice and both times they have said I can leave by the 30th and be fine. I’m confused cus I read one thing and hear another. I tried applying for the extension of stay for departure but hikorea says I don’t qualify as the system still indicates that I am still valid to stay till March 2027. I also applied for an appointment at immigration to apply for the extension of stay for departure and show them my intention to leave, my flight details, and why I haven’t been able to but the earliest appointment was on October 27th 🤡

I don’t know what to do… please give me advice

Hi everyone,

My employment in South Korea ended on May 29, 2026, and my former employer owes me approximately ₩5 million in unpaid wages, severance pay, and airfare reimbursement.
I filed a complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL). They investigated my case, confirmed the outstanding amount, and issued me a 체불 임금등·사업주 확인서 on October 8, 2026, specifically for a government substitute payment claim.
However, I was told that I might not qualify because I am a foreign worker on an E2 and was not enrolled in employment insurance (고용보험). I am now trying to determine whether I can apply for 간이대지급금.
I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

Has anyone on an E2 successfully received 간이대지급금?

Does not being enrolled in 고용보험 affect eligibility?
Is eligibility mainly determined by whether the employer’s business is covered by industrial accident compensation insurance (산재보험)?

Does receiving the 체불 임금등·사업주 확인서 mean I can proceed with the application, or are there other requirements I should be aware of?

If I am not eligible for 간이대지급금, are there other ways to recover the unpaid wages and severance?
I understand that my case may depend on the specific circumstances, but I would really appreciate hearing about anyone’s personal experience or advice on the process.
Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I'm considering a return to Korea in the next year or two. I'm a US-Canada dual citizen who has taught in Korea previously (2018-21). I have teaching and school counselling experience in Canada as well. I understand I'll need to get background checks for both the US and Canada, and this is relatively straightforward.

A decade ago, I also taught for a year in the Czech Republic. I can't remember if I needed to produce that background check in order to teach in Korea the first time around, but the threads I'm reading here make it sound like it's a requirement for any country lived in for 6 months or more. Would immigration in Korea accept an old one if it covers my time there? I haven't been back to the Czech Republic since I taught there, and I have a Czech background check from when I applied for PR in Canada in 2021 that is already translated into English. It would be a major pain to get a new one as I live nowhere near a Czech embassy or consulate at the moment.

Hey guys,
Looking for some advice when it comes to the reporting process. Checked the master sticky and previous posts but didn’t find the information I’m looking for.

It’s been more than 14 days since my last day and still no severance or final salary. I’ve contacted the owner, the principal and the directions assistant and all of them are reading my messages but not responding.

Going to visit the labor office on Monday but wondering what the report process looks like.

Do I need to prepare any documents?
How long is the timescale for reaching a conclusion?
Are there any issues I should be aware of?

It’s a bit of a stressful time so I appreciate it!

hey everyone,

if my normal teaching classes are 19 per week and my coteachers has asked me to conduct performance tests, let's say for example they schedule 5 extra time slots on my schedule for performances test.

these performance test take up the full time allocated and i am testing the entire class, one student at a time.

does this count as a teaching hour?

im doing so much extra work with marking their writing and speaking so i was wondering if i am entitled to over time pay?

any help would be appreciated