I've been living in Korea for a while now, and overall my experience has been very positive. There are many things I genuinely appreciate here: the safety, public transportation, convenience, educational opportunities, and the countless experiences available to both locals and foreigners.
But no country is perfect, and Korea is no exception. Here are a few things that I personally find inconvenient as a foreigner living in Korea.
1. Personal Verification Everywhere
One thing that surprised me when I first arrived was how often personal verification is required.
Whether you're signing up for a new app, creating an online account, making certain purchases, or accessing various services, there is often a verification process involving your phone number, Alien Registration Card, bank account, or all three. Sometimes subscribing to what seems like a simple app can take much longer than expected because of the verification requirements.
I understand that these systems help prevent fraud, improve security, and verify users' identities. However, as a user, it can sometimes feel excessive and a bit uncomfortable. Moreover, it can increase concerns about personal information leaks. Recent incidents involving large companies such as Coupang and TVING have raised concerns about data security and the risk of scams, identity theft, and other forms of fraud.
2. Bureaucracy and In-Person Procedures
Another challenge is the amount of paperwork and in-person visits required for certain administrative tasks.
Depending on what you need to do, you may find yourself visiting a bank, the immigration office, or your local ์ฃผ๋ฏผ์ผํฐ multiple times. Some procedures require appointments, physical documents, signatures, or additional verification steps that can make the process feel quite time-consuming.
Perhaps I'm a little biased because I'm from Kazakhstan. In recent years in Kazakhstan, many government services there have become highly digitalized. Most certificates, official documents, and administrative services can be obtained within minutes through a government portal or even a banking application.
Korea is incredibly advanced in many areas, so I occasionally feel surprised when certain simple tasks still require an in-person visit or involve complicated procedures.
3. Strong Focus on Hierarchy
My last point relates to cultural differences.
I completely understand the importance of showing respect to older people and those in senior positions. Respect is an important part of Korean culture, and I appreciate that. However, I sometimes feel that the strong emphasis on hierarchy in Korea can create unnecessary stress in situations that could otherwise be handled in a more relaxed and friendly way. While these customs are normal within Korean society, they can take some time for foreigners to understand and adapt to.
Of course, this is simply a cultural difference rather than a flaw, if not too extreme. Every society has its own norms, and learning to navigate them is part of living abroad.
Despite these inconveniences, I genuinely enjoy living in Korea.
As foreigners, I think it's important to recognize both the positives and the negatives while also understanding that no place is perfect.
At the end of the day, adapting to another country means accepting some differences, learning from them, and appreciating the unique experiences they bring.
I've been living in Korea for a while now, and overall my experience has been very positive. There are many things I genuinely appreciate here: the safety, public transportation, convenience, educational opportunities, and the countless experiences available to both locals and foreigners.
But no country is perfect, and Korea is no exception. Here are a few things that I personally find inconvenient as a foreigner living in Korea.
1. Personal Verification Everywhere
One thing that surprised me when I first arrived was how often personal verification is required.
Whether you're signing up for a new app, creating an online account, making certain purchases, or accessing various services, there is often a verification process involving your phone number, Alien Registration Card, bank account, or all three. Sometimes subscribing to what seems like a simple app can take much longer than expected because of the verification requirements.
I understand that these systems help prevent fraud, improve security, and verify users' identities. However, as a user, it can sometimes feel excessive and a bit uncomfortable. Moreover, it can increase concerns about personal information leaks. Recent incidents involving large companies such as Coupang and TVING have raised concerns about data security and the risk of scams, identity theft, and other forms of fraud.
2. Bureaucracy and In-Person Procedures
Another challenge is the amount of paperwork and in-person visits required for certain administrative tasks.
Depending on what you need to do, you may find yourself visiting a bank, the immigration office, or your local ์ฃผ๋ฏผ์ผํฐ multiple times. Some procedures require appointments, physical documents, signatures, or additional verification steps that can make the process feel quite time-consuming.
Perhaps I'm a little biased because I'm from Kazakhstan. In recent years in Kazakhstan, many government services there have become highly digitalized. Most certificates, official documents, and administrative services can be obtained within minutes through a government portal or even a banking application.
Korea is incredibly advanced in many areas, so I occasionally feel surprised when certain simple tasks still require an in-person visit or involve complicated procedures.
3. Strong Focus on Hierarchy
My last point relates to cultural differences.
I completely understand the importance of showing respect to older people and those in senior positions. Respect is an important part of Korean culture, and I appreciate that. However, I sometimes feel that the strong emphasis on hierarchy in Korea can create unnecessary stress in situations that could otherwise be handled in a more relaxed and friendly way. While these customs are normal within Korean society, they can take some time for foreigners to understand and adapt to.
Of course, this is simply a cultural difference rather than a flaw, if not too extreme. Every society has its own norms, and learning to navigate them is part of living abroad.
Despite these inconveniences, I genuinely enjoy living in Korea.
As foreigners, I think it's important to recognize both the positives and the negatives while also understanding that no place is perfect.
At the end of the day, adapting to another country means accepting some differences, learning from them, and appreciating the unique experiences they bring.