'Every second person here dreams of the USA': how our immigrant lives in South Korea
'16.02.2021'
Source: Lenta.ru
Zhenya moved to South Korea suddenly and planned to work there for a short time, save money and return to her native St. Petersburg. However, the Asian country unexpectedly fell in love with her, and four years in a foreign land passed unnoticed. She talks about her life in Busan Lenta.ru.
I don’t know what kind of wind brought me to Busan. I was born and raised in St. Petersburg and always wanted to live only there, in my dear native swamp. So what, that gray and dull ten months of the year, nothing that outside the window rain or slush, and in the shower cats often scratch. But relatives and friends are nearby, and a window to Europe helps to cope with the blues. In addition, rain, jazz, Brodsky's poems and a plaid - this has its own romance, a certain Petersburg magnetism.
One such gloomy gray November morning, my husband and I thought about moving to another country. It took us about a week to think about it: I had a mortgage in St. Petersburg, and after I found out the average salaries in Korea, the decision was made. An innate thirst for adventure only added fuel to the fire of an early move.
Initially, I thought to live a couple of years in Korea, close the mortgage and return. But something went wrong ...
Friendly country
Before moving, I knew little about Korea: high salaries, short people, TV shows and music popular with young people. To be honest, I did not try to learn more about this country, Europe was closer to me in spirit, despite the fact that I have Korean blood in me. But fate decreed otherwise.
Already in February, I flew from chilly minus 20 to sunny plus 15. Landing, passport control, and now I'm in amazing Korea. She greeted me with a bright sun, high mountains, vast sea spaces, blooming camellias and a feeling of vacation that has not left me for four years.
Of course, the first time was very difficult: job search, language barrier, lack of confidence in the future and homesickness. It became even harder when I found a job. This is how I got to know the famous Korean workaholism.
Often, instead of the standard 40 hours a week, people work 55, and they don't even dream of 28 days of annual leave.
There was a time when I only had two days off a month. But on these rare days the sun always shone, and the sea beckoned to itself, fortunately, it is only 15 minutes from home to the beach, and there are about three hundred sunny days a year in Busan. For comparison, St. Petersburg has 75 sunny days a year.
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Not only the weather was friendly. Wherever I went, I felt like a dear guest, everyone was glad to me and invariably polite. Interestingly, it was hard for me mainly morally, in terms of amenities, everything is at its best. Even without knowing the language, you can comfortably move around the country - almost all signs and pointers are duplicated in English.
Food, entertainment and service
There were no problems with food either: in addition to traditional Korean restaurants, there are pizzerias, burgers, sushi bars on every corner, and even Russian cuisine is not difficult to find. Why is there a kitchen, there are whole Russian quarters! With Russian schools, real estate agencies, notaries, support and translation services, shops and cafes.
It will definitely not be boring in Korea: there is a sea of entertainment for every taste and budget. Huge amusement parks, ski resorts, hiking, yachting, shopping malls, hot spring spas and even its tropical island Jeju - Korean Hawaii. And this despite the fact that the country is slightly larger than the Leningrad region.
And the service will be pleasantly surprised everywhere. “The customer is always right” is the main rule in the service sector, and Koreans adhere to it impeccably. You will not only be served at the highest level, but in most cases will be given a compliment from the establishment. The unchanging smile, politeness and willingness to help after harsh Russia, at first, are very surprising and alarming.
A traditional Korean restaurant serves water and four to twelve appetizers to accompany your main course. Any snack can be repeated if necessary and will not be included in the bill. Often, the higher the status of the restaurant, the more snacks will be offered. Another surprising detail is the lack of tips. You have to pay the cashier at the exit.
I was also struck by the absence of theft in the country. First, the thief will be found very quickly. In Korea, cameras are everywhere, at every turn: in the office, restaurants, cafes, on the street, in elevators, on staircases, in parks and shops, at all entrances and exits. Secondly, the penalties for theft are simply exorbitant.
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You can take a table in a cafe simply by throwing a wallet, bank card or phone at it, and go for a smoke yourself while the order is being prepared. Many do not even turn on the car alarm when they leave.
Once I lost my identity card, went to the site of finds and laughed for a very long time. Advertisements reach the point of absurdity: "Whoever lost $ 5 in the N metro area - call xxx-xx-xx."
Korean identity
Despite the undeniable progress, Korea is a very distinctive country. For a long time remaining closed from the influence of the outside world, it has preserved and carried through the centuries many traditions and superstitions. For example, the locals are quite serious about the signs, for a wedding you still need the approval of parents, there are still and even flourishing schools with separate education: separately boys, separately girls.
Koreans get married late, more often after 30 years, the decision about marriage is taken deliberately and rationally. It is believed that first you need to get on your feet and be able to provide for your family. Early marriage is condemned by society, and anything that is condemned by society is taboo. Often, non-grata people who do not fit public standards do not withstand moral pressure, therefore the country has a high percentage of suicides.
The institution of marriage is very strong: infidelity, abortion and divorce are not about Korea. Only in 2015, the criminal punishment for treason was abolished. However, in society this is still considered unacceptable. If adventures "to the left" become public, most likely the would-be lover will be fired from his job. Abortion is still a criminal offense.
Koreans know little about Russia: they've heard about Putin and vodka, and they also think that we have many beautiful girls and it's cold.
Through one they dream of America, but at the same time they are incredibly patriotic. Koreans are confident that the products produced in their homeland are of excellent quality, be it food, cosmetics, appliances or clothing. The President and his family are examples to follow.
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If a politician does not justify the trust of the people, then he ends up badly. The previous president is in prison, like the president before him. Almost every resident of the country has an active civic position; you can often see peaceful rallies on the streets.
Koreans are invariably polite and friendly towards "outsiders", but it will be difficult to integrate into society and make real friends. For most, you will remain a dear guest, even 20 years later, even with perfect knowledge of the language and citizenship.
Perhaps that is why I miss Russia very much: visiting is good, but at home it's better. At first, I came home twice a year, but recently due to the pandemic, the trip had to be canceled.
Medicine and beauty
I really liked how the country and people came together in the fight against COVID-19. All government recommendations are being followed flawlessly. On the streets it is impossible to meet a person without a mask; at the entrance to any institution, the temperature is necessarily measured and an individual QR code is registered. If there is no code, then all data for communication will be recorded.
Dozens of SMS notifications are received daily, where and at what time an infected person was registered in your city. If you were nearby, it is recommended to get free testing. It is thanks to the strict rules and responsibility of citizens in Korea that there are very few cases. Treatment for COVID-19 is also free, although Korea, unfortunately, cannot boast of free medicine.
Once, when I once again returned from Russia and, not yet having had time to get medical insurance, I went to the hospital, the bill for two weeks of treatment was five thousand dollars. But even with a compulsory medical insurance policy, treatment will be paid. In addition, medical insurance does not cover all services. However, medicine in Korea really deserves attention. Especially plastic surgery. Such operations are performed equally often by men and women.
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Attractiveness in Korea is the key to success. What was my surprise when, when drawing up a resume, it was necessary to attach not only a photo, but also indicate the height, and even the size of the clothes
Tall stature, slender build, fair skin and small face with big eyes are considered ideal, and Koreans spend huge sums of money to get closer to it.
In general, I am very impressed by both Korea and the locals. As in any other country, there are pluses and minuses here, and it depends only on you whether they resonate with you or dissonant.
