My Midnight Run + Hagwon Horror Story | Teaching in South Korea (UPDATE) 

Midnight runners are heroes. Teach those abusive businesses a lesson

I feel like unless you’ve flown to korea and had to endure teaching within 24 hours of arrival, you truly can’t understand how hard it is. I am so so sorry you had such a horrible experience. And the whole scamming you into a new contract thing.. WTF! They knew exactly what they were doing.

omfg! You are more detailed. Our pain is the same! OMG the open classes! Horror days...unnecessary stress...no sleep...not good enough. Unrealistic expectations. Kindergarten Hagwon life in Korea is Hell. Also, nobody should shame anyone for escaping toxic work places that affect you emotionally and physically. Glad your free.

Thank you for sharing. I'm not a teacher but I am a custodian in an elementary school in the US. I've seen so many red flags within the school just as a custodian and it worries me every day. My boss doesn't care, he is actually leaving, the majority of the teachers don't care about their jobs or the students. In fact they push the kids to act bad, which I don't understand. I'm absolutely overworked, underpaid and treated terrible. It's to the point where I don't even want to go back to work. There's only myself and 1 other lady that takes care of this school and we constantly get talked down on and treated horrible. Somehow she has stuck around for 20 years, I've been there 7 months. This video is a breathe of fresh air, I appreciate your honesty and it's giving me the strength I need to get the f**k away from this job. My mental health is more important.

Midnight ran after 5-6 months. Just so many lies and the stupid rules… 1. Was told I’d only work 9-7 two days a week but ended up doing that five days a week… 2. Was not allowed to socialise with the Korean teachers at all. Inside or out of school 3. Head of school would go missing for weeks at a time.. nobody knew where she’d go 4. Didnt have a bed in my apartment for 1-2 MONTHS 5. Micromanaging without actually training or giving helpful advice 6. Having to let bad kids misbehave because they can’t afford to lose that child’s money And more…

I went through a very similar situation. It’s crazy how often stuff like this happens!!

My first school was awful, I hated it so much and cried all the time. I wish I had left. If any teachers are unhappy I would recommend saving enough money to rent an air bnb, hand in your notice (I know the contract mat say 90days but legally you only need to give 7) and switch to a D10 (seeking employment) visa. Whatever the school threatens you with, there will always be another school - a better option. Check the blacklist! Some renowned Hagwons have nicknames for a reason!! And contact the labor board if you are unsure of any legal issues. Thanks for sharing Courtney, your year was rough but you came out stronger ❤️❤️❤️

I have been in Korea for about two months, started work after quarantining and they have changed what I was told every step of the way immediately out of quarantine. I love Korea and have so much fun outside of work but they have me working 6 days a week and the burnout is already so bad. I hate that I worked for so long to get here and am considering leaving after just two months. Thanks for sharing your experience. I miss America so much

Thank you much for sharing your experience with us! I'm so sorry to hear about what you have been through

You are so strong!!! Thank you so much for sharing. You are going to help so many people by being open!!

Thank you for sharing your story! I’m sure there are good places to teach in Korea but I have seen more bad than good. Makes me want to steer clear of South Korea and choose another destination.

Thank you for sharing your experience and I am so sorry something like that happened to you. At the end when you were talking about how your relationship with everyone else at work was it sounded like “trauma bonding”. I hope things are much much better now and that your mom had a full and healthy recovery.

This is why you must always look out for yourself. I've had bad managers, passive aggressive coworkers who turn on you, wage theft (the works). I've learnt to test employers now. If I get any hint of BS or shady behavior I will end up ghosted them.

It seems like hagwon horror stories are the rule rather than the exception.

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this! I am leaving in 3 weeks to teach in Korea and I love videos like this because I really appreciate how honest you are but are telling others not to be discouraged! Searching for jobs has been so tough especially for hagwons! One of my biggest questions during interviews was about covid-19 and how the school plans on taking care of their teachers. The stories I've heard about teachers during covid is so so upsetting! You had a tough 2020 for sure, hope things are changing around! :)

Omg girl, I'm so glad to know that you are done with that and back home with your mom.

If i see ONE negative comment imma fight... you went through so much sh*t and came out with your battle scars, stronger and tougher, but still with a heart. Proud of you, I really am.

I am sooo sorry you had this experience!!!

You did way better than me. I pulled a runner after 5 months. Atleast you got a cute apartment. I was dropped in a horrible apartment in Seosan Si, and the Hagwon was a living hell. I relate to every single word you said here.

Wow. The head teacher must really love hagwons and Korea. I could never stay 15 years in a hagwon. 1-2 is enough.

I'm about to do a midnight run in 2 weeks.... my mental health went to shit and I am miserable plus my boss is terrible

My school had open class and it was the WORST. My school literally made us write scripts of what me and the kids would say (mind you these kids are like 7). Plus we had to make a lesson plan of our made up class. I had to rehearse the class several of times with the director and vice director. My open class had great reviews but i shouldn't have to go through that much stress. Me and my coworkers had no idea what their expectations 2were but that's the typical theme in Korea. Their expectations are ridiculously high on the foreign teachers but their appreciation for us isn't the same.

I have my own fair share of terrible things i have been through. I've decided to leave for good and i've been counting the weeks. I really can't wait and I'm pretty sure i won't miss it.

I'm sorry you went through such a horrible experience. And, this is coming from someone that has completed over 5 years of contracts. I'm glad you put yourself first, and decided to leave because these hagwons will never put their teachers first. Yes, you are "breaking the contract", but they get to keep whatever salary, and the flight bonus you left behind. Except for the pension you can still claim that. Korean staff can quit whenever they want. They just shame foreigners for quitting because if takes more time to find a new foreign teacher. Especially if a hagwon pays a low salary or they are on a blacklist because of the poor work environment that is causing teachers to quit in the first place.

I’m a teacher at a hagwon in Suwon and although for the most part I’ve enjoyed my time, I’m not renewing my contract. The apartment they put me in is garbage, they said if I renewed they would put me in a better apartment but I a little bitter I had to be in this dumpster a year anyway. And I don’t really click with the other teachers so I feel very isolated and lonely here. Even though everyone is nice, I keep to myself. They’ve made me uncomfortable. All in all my school wasn’t too bad, we got paid on time (sometimes earlier), I get nice gifts from the parents sometimes (can’t wait to see what I get for Xmas), and some of the kids are sweet but some of the older ones are jerks.

Your video is very helpful for those of us yet to embark. I am sure we can all learn from this. I appreciate your perspective. I have certainly been able to understand what happened with both your side and the employer's. I am looking forward to a future in a similar hagwon.

❤️🙏🏽 you did tge right thing I’m so glad people are talking about this and tge way Korea treats people especially foreigners 🙁 I hope other people will be brave . I hood you guys can all come together and internationally sue them along with other allies . They need to be boycotted until they can treat people with dignity

sorry to hear about your horro story. i heard other foreigners who had a bad time. i ended up teaching in sangju for 7 1/2 years and wish i was still there. never had more than 32 hours a week and usually less, and no saturdays. i had a free 4-bedroom apt. on the 6th floor of my hagwon's building. my boss left me alone so long as i did my job. 80 percent of my students were adults. i never hung out with foreigners since my dance card was full with korean friends. many adventures. thank goodness i missed covid. i've heard how bad it was there from some korean friends. as the saying goes, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

I was an English teacher in Russia, and it was wonderful. I went through Language Links TEFL course in Moscow in 2011, and they placed me near Moscow. I would never go to South Korea to teach. I'm sure some people think they wouldn't go to Russia, but to each their own. I loved it and I'd do it again today. I have some colleagues still there are after being there 15 years already. You can also make bank in Moscow.

oh wow! you had a lunch break without having to be with the kids?! That must be nice! When I was teaching in South Korea, I had to eat with the kids. I understand your pain and I understand those who do midnight runs too. If you have the choice to leave and work somewhere you will be respected and have a better experience, you should take it!!! People who haven't gone through these experiences shouldn't condemn others who had.

It’s important to remember that Hagwons a businesses first and school’s second. The owners are in it for profit.

Public School you avoid that issue but obviously the income is a little bit lower starting but it's a much more nicer experience. But obviously you can be anywhere in Korea and by anywhere I mean in a town. But the best thing was when I was at the public school at the height of Corona we were still getting paid even we weren't teaching for like 6 months

I am literally living my horror story here in South Korea right now

Never mind what people say or think about you...harsh or rude comments mustn't affect you dear.

I taught in public and private schools in China, but Covid messed up my plans. Now I apply to Japan and Korean high-schools. Training centres or Hogwans as the case in Korea are okay, you just have to accept low standards. Its best to try to stick to a job even if the circumstances get bad. I worked through an agency for my first 2 years but quit because they weren't paying the salary correctly. I got laid off from my 2nd Chinese training school job due to the new gov policies and I worked in a British ran training school after. Had plans to return to public school teaching again but covid and China's dumb policy messed that up. Back in the UK and despite my experiences it's hard to get accepted here and abroad. Maybe I have too much experience. Who knows, however I still believe in tefl teaching even if it means little back home. Would prefer Japan to Korea but Japan seems tricky to get in to. I get the feeling Korea is like China, with a multitude of opportunities, but also with red flags around every corner. Hogwans do have a bad reputation. Because you are young you have time to put this episode behind you. However the more midnight runners there are the worse treatment of foreigners will get. Catch 22.

I agree I don’t like working for a hagwon either way I’m looking for jobs back home now

I’ve been through what you went through twice. The ESL industry is screwed up and you have to be careful. You did the right thing leaving. They were exploiting you.

This is so sad☹️ no one should go through this.

I think you're amazing

Girl, you did the right thing by ghosting them; God blessed you, I am just so proud of you! The purpose of employment, it's to leverage responsibilities to other individuals to increase productivity. You go there you perform your duties; you go home and that's it. I don't know why working in schools and corporations these days, companies have turned the workplace into an episode of The Jerry Springer show where everyone's having a nervous breakdown, bosses and coworkers alike are creating disruption and throwing chairs at one another(figuratively and literally). On top of all that, they're doing all these manipulative tactics to keep you trapped there. Well you know what, play stupid games win stupid prizes; treat me like a slave while I treat you like a thot. I'm shocked you even put up with that, for that long. That first day would have been my last day.

I am scheduled to leave for Korea like in February but tbh am having second thoughts. I’m hearing from ALOOOOOOT of different people horror stories of working there. The company im going through is Chungdham. Luckily I haven’t signed a contract yet.

my hero 🙃

I never claim to be perfect teacher. I want to do a lot of things but now my boss whos my supervisor right now just makes it so hard. I honestly feel like crying everyday just dealing with them. No standard what i want was told to me. I am trying to keep it together.

hi I was just wondering.. before you signed the contract, were you able to talk to any of the workers beforehand? Did they lie saying it was fine?

My boss ignores me. She doesnt talk to me, she tries by all means to avoid me which is so weird. She just has meetings with other co-workers behind my back. I teach 36 classes a week 200+ students alone. Most of the kids are rude and disrespectful and I receive no support from the Korean teacher's. I'm the only foreign teacher at the school. During school events I get so isolated. I feel so lonely and out of place. I hate working here

I taught at ECC in Deokso (East of Seoul) from 2001-2004. The first 2 years were great then a bitch from hell bought the school. I ended up escaping Korea just in time before they put me on the street. DON'T TEACH IN KOREA PEOPLE.

I arrived here on the 10th of November and this is exactly what happened to me. I had to work the day I arrived!! i too should’ve seen the red flags hay

I thought I recognized you. I think I saw you at HQ or other bars a couple times. I'm sorry you had so many troubles in Busan. I agree with you. you can stop anytime. Your boss doesn't own you

If you are considering doing a midnight run, please post in on youtube, its so funny

I'm just dealing with micromanaging now I'm so tired. I got fired it's whatever

Didn’t receive and training or orientation and had to/still am training myself

Thanks for sharing your experience! Sounds awful

it should have been illegal not to pay the teachers omg

It's understandable to me that you were storming out. I'm a teacher.

Yeah im fine with high expectations (even though after working hours without OT are calculated, I make $12 an hour), but like make them fucking clear? idk? Am I crazy orrrrrrrrr

Wait, why did they need you to teach on the day you arrived? I feel like they would have had to wait, I’m going to bed.

A majority of that industry is trash. Point blank. Japan and China are similar. I know people who taught in universities still getting gypped.

You'd think over the 20 years this has been happening that people would wise up forcing the small minority of Hagwons to stop doing things like switch and bait and sub-standard accommodation etc. If you do work for a Hagwon do your research and have a Plan B. (e.g. Japan/Taiwan teaching job and enough money for plane fare and month's rent for a Goshiwon - 'Korean long stay hotel'). Because you may not get your 'release letter' preventing you from legally working elsewhere in Korea.

FYI if you do break a contract by doing a midnight run, it’s gonna be really hard to get another job in Korea regardless of the program. Just a warning for anyone who’s thinking about it. With that being said if do what you think is best for you

the way the $$$ conversion hasn't aged well in South Korea at all in the last 3 years since this video was filmed, is unhinged. Now it's $1,600 a month for a starting salary of an esl teacher.

What is the link for LOFT

This sounds like a P8LY school? OMG

Sounds like healthcare out numbered, over worked, under paid, & under appreciated.

Ahhhh! The bait and switch. That’s a major red flag.

Hay, what are the consequences of a midnight run? I heard that you could be banned for life. Is that true?

omg this scares me because i’m applying to EPIK soon... i think public schools are less demanding? i used to be a CNA in a nursing home so im no stranger to being abused at work (yikes lol) but man im not sure what to do now!!

Its interesting such a crap job yet people mainly young and naive go and do these. It sounds a very murky unregulated industry and not safe for young women due to creep bosses etc

I’m an English teacher in Japan. We do have that in some family run English schools and even places like Nova and GABA. One of many things I tell people when they start teaching is to join a teachers’ union. They help in scoping out the schools from the corrupt ones. I’m sure you did your best. I would have just said, F you! Yup I would get out of here! As a teacher to another teacher, you’re a strong lady. No hate from me, and I’ve been teaching in Japan for at least 15 years. Just report the school to other foreigners so they avoid the school completely.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Korea has a problem....

This is terrible 😱

You people need to dump this fantasy about teaching English in Korea and do something else

Why you SAY THIS, YOU MOT KNOW BTS IS KOREA?? WE KIND PEOPLE, ALL KIND PEOP.E, THIS ONLY LIE haha just kiddi , great v ideo!

So basically signing up with the wrong company not thinking it through because you don’t know the language or the culture is a Korean problem. Sorry it happened but…