Living in South Korea has its challenges, and calling them “challenges” shows a lot of restraint on my part and a testament to my will power. The past 15 months have been a learning experience unlike any other; however, I am thankful my family is together, regardless of the growing pains encountered due to living in a foreign country. It got me thinking about the misconceptions people have of South Korea.
Here are five of the big ones:
1. South Korea is a third-world country.
Not so much. We live in Seoul, so I can’t tell you about anything outside of Areas I and II, but here’s a brief synopsis of the thriving metropolis that is Seoul. There is an extensive public transportation system that rivals the D.C. Metro and the New York City public transportation system, and it is being expanded every day. The amount of taxis you see on the road at any given time remind me of New York City.
My apartment is something of a technological marvel. There’s an intercom in the bathrooms so you can answer the door from the toilet, which, by the way, has a built-in bidet. The intercom in the living room is set up so I can see who is at the door via camera. If I decide I want to answer it, I press a button and the door magically unlocks. My vacuuming system is in the walls. My microwave is also my oven, which truthfully is more annoying than you’d think. The apartment is wired for surround sound. The heating source is the floor, and the walls are marble.
Really.
Does any of that sound like a third-world country? This isn’t representative of all living in Korea, as I live in a recently-constructed apartment building, but from what I gather from people living in other areas (off post), their apartments aren’t too shabby either. Oh, and my apartment is not the hole-in-the-wall people said we’d get. It’s a spacious four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment.
Really.
That picture of our apartment and the view doesn’t really do it justice! And, can I just tell you, I’ve never seen more Bentleys in my life. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen an actual Bentley in person until we moved to Korea.
2. People ride in rickshaws, live in pagodas, and eat dog.
Okay, so only one of those is true. The rickshaws I’ve seen in Seoul haul cardboard, not people, and I’ve not seen pagodas that weren’t historical. About the dog… Well… Please see the picture.
Bear in mind, though, I’ve only seen dog being served once, and that’s why I took this picture. (Honestly, the food here is delicious more often than not. Check out that honey bread!)
3. Military families can’t come to South Korea.
Well, that’s not entirely untrue. There are nearly 30,000 service members here in Korea, and more than 4,000 command-sponsored families. There are also many families here that aren’t command sponsored, but I couldn’t find data as to how many. Whether or not you are able to accompany your service member on a tour in Korea is largely based upon your sponsor’s MOS and the Army’s “needs.” If your sponsor is stationed at the DMZ, chances are good his tour will be unaccompanied. With that being said, if you have the opportunity to come to Korea, do it. Whenever you have the chance to travel on someone else’s dime, do it.
4. South Korea is dangerous.
Nope. Granted there is crime here like there is crime in the states, but it’s no more dangerous here because North Korea is right there. (You can’t see me, but I’m pointing north.) I’ve gone midnight shopping for perfectly-executed knock off purses. I went by myself, and I was never in fear for my safety. We aren’t cowering in fear, waiting for Kim Jung Un to miss his meds, lose his cookies, and attack us. We are living our lives and enjoying ourselves every chance we get.
5. All anyone does in Korea is go to clubs, drink, and hire the occasional prostitute.
Okay, so here’s the thing—there are a lot of young, single soldiers fresh out of high school who find themselves with more freedom than they can sometimes handle. As a result, there is a curfew that has been implemented for service members. However, that doesn’t define the service members as a whole or what there is to do in this country. There are more things to do here than I could even write about. Between the palaces, the shopping districts, museums, cafes, and general sight-seeing, if you are bored, it’s just because you’ve not gone outside.
If you find yourself PCSing to Korea, don’t fret. It seems scary at first, and it was to me, too, but look at it as an adventure. The food is different, but delicious. The people are sweet and adore children. The site-seeing is endless. Take it for what it is—a new experience.
If you go in with an open mind, I think Korea will surprise you.
Is there some way this could be sent to 8th Army? Stars and Stripes? This should be in the hands of every ACS person who handles PCS briefs.
I have never been to Korea and we aren’t going there, however I really enjoyed this blog. I don’t really understand the back and forth about whether or not it’s a great place or not so great place. Everyone has their own experiences. I think that is what the writer was trying to convey. It was a beautifully written article. If someone didn’t have those same experiences that is ok, not everyone sees things the same way. I just don’t understand the “untrue” comment and why the writer should write about negative experiences she didn’t have. Wouldn’t that be more of an “untruth”?
We were at Casey and found this all to be the same as what we experienced.
Emily, this is refreshing! We could use more articles like this aobut Korea. SO happy to hear someone who shares the same views. I live on Yongsan in Seoul in 60 year old govt housing… I came to support my husband so that we wouldn’t have to do another year+ apart and miss out on our time with our son. That IS the reason we are in Korea, to support our husbands, right? Well, I could get caught up in the facebook gripe of the day: its too hot, its too cold, too wet, too dry, too rainy, too smelly … blah blah blah. No, instead I decide to make the best of this unique opportunity and get out of my house and meet new people, explore new restaurants and see new things. I couldn’t be happier to share this unique culture with my son and husband. Heck, maybe when my husband finally retires I can sit down and write that book about all things wonderful in the military life. Hmmm, thinking that this assignment has given me plenty of writing material. Thanks so much for keeping it REAL and writing your wonderful articles!
I LOVE that you used the dog restaurant! I am pretty sure my time in Korea would not be near as fun without you hear 😀 I love everything you wrote and the pictures are so awesome <3 <3.
We were at Casey for 2 years and find this to be true even for us…if we ever got to travel south with curfew and pass restrictions which was our major bummer and holdback. Many of the smaller towns near Casey mirrored Seoul on a smaller level, our apartments were very similar, dog meat is hard to find with it now being frowned upon by newer generations and now considered a ‘delicacy’, our danger levels were not increased (if something were to happen, I would rather not be in Seoul-the main target-).
This should be apart of coming to Korea packet! 🙂
Love this!!! I lived in Korea for years, met my American hubby there actually ( I am English) I think its an awesome country and would love to go again!!!
I am currently a resident of Yongsan and this is out second time in Korea, with our first being in Daegu. While here we have had a not so great place to live, a great place, and now a quirky place that resides somewhere in the middle. Some peeps love Korea, some tolerate it, some hate it. Base housing is always a roll of the dice. Base location as well. It’s based on personal preference and is truly about what we make it.
I must say I disagree that those coming should hear both sides. Any military spouse can think of lots of negativity on their own. But hearing positivity helps get over the fear of it all and helps to embrace the adventure of it!
Very well done!
I am coming in 2 days! This post couldn’t have had better timing! I loved your article! Thanks so much for sharing, I cant wait to get there with my husband 🙂
Just came back from Korea and didn’t find your article entirely truthful. It may have been your experience but not the experience of most there.
I’m on my way back to Korea in two days… for two months. I can’t wait.
The only thing I’d change? The public transportation doesn’t just rival that of NYC, D.C. and Chicago (my own hometown)… it far surpasses it, and it is far cheaper and far, far safer. Oh, and Korean baseball is about the most fun you can imagine having that doesn’t end up with someone spending a night in jail 🙂
Lunch soon, Emily?
REALLY GOOD article. THANK YOU for sharing this 🙂
I was there a year ago and could have used this to show to family thinking we were going to live in a mud hut, lol. It’s great to know what to expect when moving sooooo far away from home.
Thank you for writing the truth on what it is like here 🙂
THANK YOU! We are PCSing to Korea the end of this year and I have done my research and made friends with some spouses that are already there. I had some misconceptions at first too and I am now EXCITED for the opportunity to live in a different country and that my children, husband and myself get to experience a new culture! This is an AWESOME post!
Where do I find this Hello Kitty Cafe at? My girls will love that 😀
Loved the blog…AND the discussion. Reality is we all have different experiences about every assignment. I remember being shocked to hear spouses complaining about Hawaii and Germany …and others raving about Ft. Irwin and 29 Palms. After many years of moves with the military I think so much comes down to, 1. our approach to a new assignment…”hey, what’s different and interesting and possibly great about this place”, 2. reaching out and making friends (I’m totally convinced that people have the biggest impact on our experience of any place), 3. tapping into the resources that help us explore a new place (and the military…and spouses, AWN for one, provide us with many if we tap into them)…some of my life highlights have come from MWR programs…hut to hut hiking in Austria for one, kayaking at Ft. Lewis…and one of my other life highlights came from another mil spouse talking me into walking up to the Seoul Tower EARLY one morning in Korea, even tho jet lagged!
Love it! I also want to add that not everything here is cheaper than in the states and in fact a lot of it is more expensive! I’m already sick of people back home saying “well everything is cheaper there” when in fact the cost of living here is much higher than where I am from.
Anything about PCSing to Germany?
Just curious, 🙂
Ilike!!!! muy hermoso me gustaria algun dia ir a conoser ese bello pais. solo visitar no quedarme.
The only thing I’m going to say is regardless of the curfew they have there for the soldiers, you better go with your husband! Not only did i find out on my own, but ive had several others tell me theres “just something about korea” that makes the guys (our soldiers) a little too friendly. Ive been told by my husband and others that almost all the bars have at least 1 prostitute in them, and they will come and sit on your lap and try to get you to buy them expensive drinks and such. The festivals they had seemed interesting (the lantern festival, the mud festival), but i dont think my husband and i could handle keeping our marriage together if he went there again (without our son and i).
I am very interested in which building and area you lived in while in Seoul. My family is set to PCS in sept. and I have been looking for recommendations of areas and buildings.
I have a doubt, I have two children, will I still be able to travel to korea with my husband? Or will that raise the posiblity that we can’t go?
I agree. I was in Korea for a year and loved it. Too many great memories but best of all that’d where I met my husband while we were stationed at camp eagle! And your right everything is very tech savvy even back in 2008 we often spent the night at the w hotel very nice new (back then) and close to everything. We got to travel and do so much amazing stuff hope you enjoy it!
This is brilliant! My husband is stationed in Daegu and we are here with him and 1. asked to come and 2. LOVE it! I love how modernized this country is and the apartments are stunning! We have a 5 bedrm 2 bath w/over 2000sqft of space, granite countertops and a fantastic laundry room! Everything is convenient from the transit, to the food, to traveling abroad. Were here for 3 years and wouldn’t change a thing. 🙂 Thank you for shedding a positive light on such a fantastic opportunity for families in the military! We need positive people like you here!
Interesting …my experience, which I shared a few nights ago no longer here to see , along with others that were similar to mine .
Awesome information! Thank y oil so much for sharing. We are heading there this summer on a command sponsored tour and my kids have been a little nervous. We ha e bee n talking about it being a wonderful adventure, so I will. Share your blog with them. Thanks again!