This is why I love your channel. You always show the ups and downs of Korea because no country is perfect. There is always something you have to overcome and it’s nice to know the issues you’ll face before deciding to move there so thank you 🙏🏽
The way you combine vlogging with different topics is just incredible, a true talent ✨️ so interesting hearing all these details about working & living in Korea !
I'm actually moving BACK to Korea next month (I was here last year during my exchange semester, I've already graduated). It's definitely a good point to mention that one should try going to Korea on a trip, as an exchange student etc. as working there might be hard. Also it's good to firstly see whether it lives up to the expectations (I moved to Spain for a student exchange having never been there and it made me super de*ressed so 🙃 speaking out of my own experience). I think tho it all depends. It's hard to say "oh it's like that in Korea (...) so you for sure will have a hard time". I think working anywhere full time at a 9-5 job is hard bc it leaves very little time to actually live. However, it all also depends on the company and their work culture etc. I got a job (internship) at a company where almost all employees are foreigners(/koreans who have lived abroad) so I hope it will be fine. Although even if the work culture is great and the company is good, one has to remember that Korea has very short paid leave and most jobs don't have benefits similar to Europe as far as I can tell (idk for example a sports card for gym/chosen sports classes which is very common in the EU or a compensation to some point for public transportation card). I would say: come here but don't come straight for work. It will also leave little time to enjoy Korea and places get packed on the weekends. Have a strong purpose why you want to come and what you want to achieve and also do not let others' experience influence you too much but also be aware you might need to let go of some of the privileges u used to have (esp if you are European). also just wanted to say that being a content creator is only partially a choice. you definitely made it by risking to come to Korea and making it a full time job but it's also about privilege and luck which I'm sure you're aware of. There is so much content already out there that even if one makes good content it might not become popular enough to make a living out of it. Also if one doesn't already have some "fame" established it is very hard as these days RU-vid and Instagram is a bit dying, Tiktok can be great but tricky and hard to operate to make a living just out of it + I think Korea is amazing and for the longest time I've been wondering how ppl just manage to move back to Europe (since it gets boring) but I think I now get it. Korea is great for some time - but the entertainment is there to make time pass by quicker and sort of make you forget how busy you are. I feel like (personally) in Europe people enjoy each moment more and focus on slowing down the time and spending time resting when not working. So it's a great country but not for a whole life and it has its' both good and bad sides as every other nation
@@Alicat-hl2yg thank you! it's actually kind of weird cause I was looking for a job in Europe, specifically Berlin but it's been tbh very hard as Berlin is mostly a german start-up hub so most jobs expected full german fluency (my german is fluent for daily life, but not a full time job...). anyway, so I also sent some emails to companies in Korea, hoping that some of my skills would advantage me to get a REMOTE position and then one of the companies happened to be hiring and they said that they want me to move and were very set on me as a candidate. I didn't expect it at all but I'm glad it worked out, I definitely love Europe and want to live here later on but I also felt like 4 months in Korea was too short and was thinking of coming back maybe in 2 years. Well, I guess now is the time. I think my case is special, most jobs require you to be fluent in Korean but mine is english only and tbh even my friend on a spouse visa has been struggling to find smt until recently. Generally, it is not easy and I would say you need to have some specific skill that they will need - in my case it was my content creation, specifically my TikTok as it's been successful and the company wants to work more on that (as for their own company). So basically work on some skill to the point that it will be enough for the employer to want you
As someone who lived in Korea for 2 years I think this video is very well thought out. I think my only add on would be the fact that Korea can be a very superficial country and if you look outside of what Koreans deem beautiful you will be treated as such. This means people may not sit next to you on the bus. People may stare and as a black person you may get your hair touched like you’re an object. You can easily feel other-ed living in Korea and it may be hard to adjust. I know it was for me, I’m a 5’11 tall, size 16 black woman. Your tribe and community will matter a lot in Korea. Not to mention that It’s harder to get jobs too because everything requires a photo. And as a darker skinner foreigner you not only have to beat the native people, but also the fairer skinned foreigners as well. Because beauty standards matter a lot in Korea. That’s one of the biggest reasons I left, constantly feeling other-ed and not as valued/respected due to my physical appearance. And I’m not going to even get into dating in Korea as a black person, it’s just a different situation when you are outside of the standard of beauty.
I try not to comment, but be careful, she has been deleting comments of people who point this out. Someone posted a really honest response (not rude at all) on pretty white privilege and how Korea especially loves Scandinavian or Eastern Euro features. This was after she pinned a comment after a rude person commented the same thing and called her employer. She unpinned her comment and deleted the thread of honest discourse. edit to add: There is another youtuber called "Sundai Love" who is Black American and was on America's next top model. She lived in Korea and was making alot of money modeling but ultimately left Korea for Japan, even taking a pay cut because of racism she faced from older Koreans. She said she was even spit on and no one came to her defense. She did say alot of positive things about Korea too, the video is called "10 Things I Loved and Hated About Living in Korea -AS A BLACK GIRL"
Thank you for sharing this Sissel! I think that life in Korea is often romanticized a bit much because of the popularity of korean pop culture ~ Korea is beautiful but like any country it has its ups and downs.
I'm really excited about the new workcation visa in Korea. I have a job that I really love in the tech industry, and I'm allowed to work 100% remotely if I want to. Would definitely be nice to relocate to another country for a year or two.
I loved when you said that we should really consider wether we want to give up major goals just to live in SK. Because when I was young I really wanted to live there but I had no idea what kind of industry I would be working at. And right now that I am working, I don't have that view anymore. Because It's way more fulfilling to have a good career that live on this specific city .
Me too. I considered teaching English in korea after doing study abroad there, but ultimately decided to pursue a career path in my own country. I’m so glad I did because now I have a career I am passionate and can afford to travel to korea to see my friends still yearly!
I really appreciate your advices. They are very realistic, down to earth and smart advices for anyone looking to live somewhere else. It's so important to have people like you on this platform. I feel like South Korean has been getting a lot of attention lately and many people make it looks like it's somewhat easy to live there. I am glad more people are interested in South Korean culture but living in another country is hard af. Which doesn't mean it's not enjoyable but as you said, it takes a lot of work and you need to really think it through before doing it. So thank you for the reality check ✔️ Wish a wonderful day to you reading this ✨️ and keep in mind that anything is possible ❤️
I loved the random interview ❤ I think it’s hard to move country and it gets even harder when you are in the country because you have to adjust to a different culture and change the way you lived for many years. I see so many beautiful things about Korea that are more about aesthetic things and less about how the system works. You explained very well in this video how it’s not easy.
I watch your vlogs weekly and never comment. I have to comment today because this vlog was beautiful and I felt the love and sincerity of your advice. You're going to be an excellent coach and you're already a great business woman, wise beyond your years. Sending good vibes for a prosperous New Year to you Sissel...PS I thought Beauty of Joseon was a huge company! What an amazing success story for them. 🦋
Hello and Happy Wednesday!! It's nice seeing a perspective a little bit further from the "always everything is amazing". A lot of things to consider :) Thanks for sharing
I'll be moving to Korea before the end of the month so I avoid videos like this bc I want to make the experience my own and not be too influenced/scared by what others say. But I trust you to be honest and was curious to see your feelings on this after watching your usual content. I'm glad you didn't sugarcoat it. I never thought I would have the confidence to be able to live abroad but I finally feel sure enough of myself to try it. After living with my parents in a safe bubble for ~4yrs (covid and also waiting for my baby sister/best friend to go to uni) what I need now is to step out on my own. While I'm so grateful to have had that security and everything it offered me I'm missing challenge in my life. I only plan to stay for a year or two whilst I figure out a longer term plan, so I'm honestly hoping I don't love it too much because it does seem like such a difficult place to set up a completely fulfilling life.
@@Naomijonesss I took the fastest route here and am teaching at an English kindergarten! I've been here ~4 months now so I'm finally used to everything and more confident to explore. My sister just visited too so that made me step out of my comfort zone because I wanted her to have the best time possible. Are you considering working or living here at all?
Live, work, study in Switzerland - very similar to what you described in Korea. Very complicated, also demands lots of efforts to live comfortably. Difficult to stay permanently, high competition with locals, priority for local hiring.....
I Found your channel when you were doing make up tutorials, (and actually tried to recreate them..😂) and then when I lost the password And changed accounts I forgot about your channel unfortunately.. BUT about two weeks ago your apartment haunting vid. Came across and i’ve been binge watching from where I left of ever since. And LOVING IT! I look up to you a lot, you gave me motivation when I needed the most! Thank you for everything!❤
Such a helpful video and you touched on a lot of important points all interested in living in Korea should consider before moving permanently. Thank you for being such a big help and kind of putting a light in questions and topics that are kind of hard to have a realistic opinion on. Love you and your videos always!!!
I definitely appreciate knowing your perspective💕 At the end of the day I still think you can make it as a foreigner if living in Korea is something you really want💪 so if that’s your goal don’t give up! But yes we have to be mindful that when going to a new country we will always be competing with natives for job positions but as human beings we have to understand that people are fighting for the same position/goal etc...
Sissel, thank you for this video!! I just graduated from uni and i am in the process of making really big life decisions (and probably changing from a student visa into a d-10) >< Your video felt like a talk with a friend and a warm hug tysm
yeah economics is always the core problem of many if not most social issues. Adopting to another country is hard especially homogenous country like Korea. You need to find a niche which is also challenging. With that said I think the challenges are more or less the same adopting to foreign country unless you have economic means as well as ability to create your own support group no matter where you are.
Yes! Which is why I would always recommend to save up money before making a move, for safety reasons. I stayed at my parents place and worked full time to save up money for 13 months prior to moving 💚
Your video helps me to understand what is like living in a foreign country and getting a job. It's always not easy to make friends overseas. I hope you will enjoy living in Korea and get a better job (More Money :)
This was extremely informative as are all of your videos, thank you for sharing your insight with us. I will say ever since getting into kpop and have dove down the korean culture through youtube and kdramas i do wish to visit korea someday and experience their culture and the beautiful views there but to live there im not sure if i could fully commit, still thank you for this video!
I don't work here, but I'm studying for a semester. This one is universal, but my biggest change was trying to get my (habitual self) flow to match the flow of a new country. Wish you would make more videos about how it is different/challenging or unique in its own way! Love these types of videos
Thanks for sharing this honest video Sissel - it was very real and insightful. Always important to ask yourself those questions!! I'm actually in that group you mentioned lol - came to Korea as an English teacher for a year and ended up getting married. I'm in the process of moving over gradually; I work as a freelance writer (which I was doing before the teaching) and trying to see how I can keep/build my English-speaking clients from home working long distance. I also feel the foreigner-loneliness you mentioned as I don't have work connections in Korea (but maybe that's something I can build on :)). Also very impressed how you've built/building up your work and businesses since moving to Korea. Your work attitude is really brilliant 💚 I'm inspired
I'm dreaming about visiting Korea this year! And after that - who knows, maybe I'll decide to stay on a longer-term. Thank you for helpful and inspiring video, Sissel!💚
I’m smiling a bit about what you are saying in this video because it is so true. btw I went to Verde Cafè and Layard and they are both incredible. It’s so funny to now watch your videos and recognize some places
I really appreciate the honesty of this video and the way it went back and forth from ✨aesthetic life✨to genuine wisdom. Thinking about how I can have a stable life with more permanence in Korea (outside of being a teacher like I am now) is something that often stresses me out! It's definitely not something that can't be overcome but it's not an easy hustle, hey! 💛
This is so cool, Sissel!😊💙💙💙💙💙💙🇺🇸🌷🇰🇷💚💚💚💚💚💚👍. For example, if I opened up a truck stop restaurant or a big warehouse with a huge parking lot, it would be so nice to look around the area and how much space to built.😊💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙👍. So...yeah. Happy Wednesday, Sissel!!😊😙💙💙💙💙💙🇺🇸🌷🇰🇷💚💚💚💚💚😊😎☀👍
So interesting to hear, I think this goes for a lot of countries when moving abroad! I moved to the UK, which is also not always easy as a foreigner, especially after brexit😅
Hiii there, I love this video ! When in Korea, I went about 3 times in the same shop as you to buy flowers tea (also other teas ofc) and I really thought about you back then, so happy to see you there ! I think that you're such an inspiring human in terms of everything but at the moment I love seeing you evolve in your career and that makes me want to explore and try out many things! I have little question : is the group on Facebook still active ? (Am a Patreon and would love to be a part of it) Otherwise, sending you much love and warmth ! 💜💜
Hi love! Thank you so much for saying this 💚 unfortunately no, it’s not active. I’m pretty sure our Patreon is closed as well for a while, so you haven’t been charged. Thank you for being such a supporter of the podcast! 💚
I'm a Korean and the minimum wage of Korea is about $8 an hour. Which means if you work at a convenient store for 5 hours a day and 5 days a week, you still can make $800 a month. It seems low compare to many advanced countries but the cost of living in Korea is lower than those countries and let's not forget that this is a minimum wage. I don't know what kind of job you had at first but it must be some kind of an internship or something. 😄😄😄
@@psygeek961 yes I’m also struggling here… in my country you get double the pay for sundays and holidays plus night shifts but even that wouldn’t add up to 1600$ 🤔
hi sissel, i was wondering, if you could make a video explaining what coaching is, I understand the gist, but as someone whos been studying it, could you explain it? thanks, lovely video once again
3:10 woah your makeup is so amazing here, I hope you’d do this look more 22:28 this video was so insightful cause I was thinking about moving there for like 1-2 years. I’m gonna graduate with a criminology degree soon and my seniors advised me to go to the police academy to start my journey. I wasn’t sure about this either but this advice definitely put things into perspective about moving. Thank you ❤
loved this Sissel! Could you make a video in the future about your Korean learning journey? I'm very curious about how you learned Korea, how long it took you to get comfortable with the language et. I'm currently in the process of obtaining a visa to teach English in Korea and I've been loving watching these videos to prepare myself. I know why I am moving to Korea and why I want to teach so I think I will be fine in that aspect. I also just want to get better at the language in my spare time which is why I would love for you to make a video on the language. I love it when you speak in Korean in your videos 🥰
That’s so so so exciting for you!! I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time here 💚 most of my Korean came after spending the first couple of years with my Korean friends who don’t speak English. I recommend getting out of the comfort zone with this, it really helped. Then I brushed up grammar in an academy for 3 months. I’m comfortable doing what I’m doing, but I’m nowhere near fluent and would love to go back to the academy when I’ve got some more time 💚
Thank you so much Sissel for stressing on the fact that (we as foreigners) need to outperform locals... I've been living with that mindset for a while and based on it I planned my studies, life... Lately, I've been questioning my decisions and your video just came in to reassure me that I'm on the right track🤍
I like this video a lot! And I love vlogging while you're also answering questions, it makes it really fun to watch! And unrelated but I'm glad to hear that Korea finally dropped their mask mandate! 🥳 tbh it was kinda sad watching videos of Korea with everyone just covering their faces, especially when they required them even outdoors 😢
Do you have any advice for me? So I’m planning to get the working holiday visa! (If not, then the entertainment visa). I’m going to do content creation as well. BUT I feel like I’ll also need to get a part time job. What are some recommendations you think would be best? I’m planning to move their in October for one year!
I admire you so much for all your success sissel! Question: do you think your career path would have been different/would be different in Denmark? Like do you think you would you still pursue content creation or is there enough to do in in Denmark that you would be happy to live off content creation now? I love your Denmark vlogs btw and secretly look forward to Denmark content if you and jake ever decide to move back
Darn, I think RU-vid deleted my comment, because I put a link in it. But basically I was saying that there are two new visas coming in 2023-2024 called the K-culture visa and the Work-cation visa. Look into it.
HOW expensive is the Korean traditional tea? & Could you PLEASE 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💜 make a vlog soon about Korean traditional treatments/medicin & where to go as a foreigner who wants to try it out ?! 🙏🏻
I’m not really sure what my dream is (because it’s always changing), but 2 dreams that has stuck with me since I was little, I want to be a content creator, and I want to be an artist (drawing). since a few years ago I’ve wanted to experience what it’s like to live in Korea. I‘ve tried to look for visa information and I see that a lot of people come to Korea as an English teacher or as a student. I Would rather not come to Korea on those types of visas because they will take a lot of time away from me and they are no where near my dream. So I’m planning to moving to Korea on the H-1 visa. I know this visa won’t allow me to live in Korea long term but at least I can experience living in Korea, and continue to pursue my dream. (And a year and a half In Korea is better than 3 months…) 😅
I am working also 100% remotely and considering moving a lil bit I live in Paris France which seems glamourous on the paper and it is chill and cool actually but living your whole life in the same place I feel like i need to experience things travel I’m approaching 30 and yet except small vacay on close countries I feel like I did nothing exceptional im considering Korea and Thailand but I honestly don’t know how people get the strength to move out so far their home countries like I really want to but I am beyond STRESSED to do so, feeling alone, totally lost in a country etc it’s really so frightening but I feel like I would grow in that new set up but yeah lol sorry for the rant
Ahh love the music by Erik Satie 👌🏼 Very interesting video even though I’m not considering moving to Korea :) would you consider moving back to Copenhagen?
I have spent a month in Korea last year and I am going back again next summer. I am very grateful for my remote job and European passport that allows me to travel to Korea without needing visa or worrying about the money (I can work as I travel). I think Korea is perfect if you are in a similar situation and living in Seoul is an absolute dream. I have lived the majority of my adult life in London, so even though I realise Seoul is not /the cheapest/ place, for me personally it has been great in terms of cost of living. I really admire people who manage to actually move there and go through all thr bureaucracy (and probably will have to deal with it for the rest of their lives!). I also recommend checking online groups if you want to meet people - for example, follow Facebook groups for expats or expats from your country, or go to international events, join group trips etc. This is all stuff that helped me in various countries 😊 A very interesting and informative video, thank you 🥰
I have a question, im getting my associates in arts degree in college in 2 years. Would that still be okay for me getting a working visa? What other types of visas are there? 🥺❤️ The entertainment visa you spoke about is it edible for wanting to be a traniee to being a K-Pop idol??? I want to live in Korea. ❤
I really feel you should not have deleted the thread on privilege. That person should not have taken it that far, sorry that happened to you. However....I watched the video and have so many thoughts. I'm Korean-Canadian and feel like you glossed over so many things or downplayed what so many foreigners that don't fit Korea's ideal go through. White, pretty privilege is absolutely how you have a career in Korea and the video downplays that. You said anyone can follow your career trajectory and that is false. You are literally Koreas ideal of a foreigner and the reason you got into Korea on a talent visa and didn't have to go the english teacher route is because, Korea loves white, pretty, either eastern european or scandinavian features and that opened alot of doors for you. You almost seem to blame other foreigners for their feeling of isolation and inability to get a job and no it doesn't have to do with "not being able to compete with Koreans". I know korean-americans and korean-candians with top earning degrees that go to Korea to escape racism and literally get passed over for jobs because they wanted a white foreigner.
Also you said the highest growing marriages is Koreans to foreigners, however you didn't delve deeper than that. What you did not say is that number is mostly Korean women/ white foreign men (who tend to leave korea to live abroad) and south-east women, mainly philipino and viet being married to Korean men. The divorce rate is high in those groups due to heavy discrimination they face. I mean LaLisa is still called Thai monkey in Korean forums. Philipino women get lured into Korea on E-6 visas and forced into prostitution every day.
I hope someone has an answer to this: i work ina company where work from home is normal, i planned to live in korea as a digital nomad for 3-6 months, i saw that the digital nomad visa is still not a thing, however if i excited korea after 90 days, stayed say in Australia for a week and came back, is it then possible to reenter korea with the refilled 90 days- tourist visa?
What you say is so true. I’m living and working in DK and have similar stress related to visa. I’m very inspired by how you have tried different ways of building your life in Korea. Thank you 🤍
there needs to be more honesty. I live here too and sometimes the glamorization really annoys me. Korea is great but so is probably your home country and some things are better here but there are also a lot of negatives about living here! I iwish people would keep that in mind more. :)
I think it is important to note that the high divorce rate also comes from the marriages between Korean men and South-Asian women who are sometimes forced to come to this country and face very hard realities both in their relationships and from korean society. The reality behind these statistics is not only about these young girls from western countries who come to Korea as English teachers but actually it is also about forced marriages, which are very brutal and are not so openly talked about, which is very sad. Of course the case that you described is also valid but I hope more people can also know about this side of those statistics.
Thanks for the update How can I get your personal contact Pls can you help me move to Korean How can I get link to apply for Korean language Thank you.
I heard that there was a digital nomad visa being rolled out soon. I suppose this is not permanent, though. Have you heard anything about it? I've held an E2 and an E7 in the past (spot the teacher lol)
I need to say this, no nobody can be a content create. Sorry to say but in a world were been a influencer or produce content on social media or youtube as became a hobbies/ job for many, I would say that no, nobody can be. Why? Because content create isn't just producing videos or writing a script is about what kind of influence and message u want to express and how u going to differ from other creators too. I am saying this because I also produce content to social media and what I do is I give my clients the best copy and strategies' to implement in their social media etc ( is more complex but I dont want to extent), so no nobody can be one. For be a good one u need to invest in studying and learn all time. I think u should know more about your work value because u create a brand , u inspire your subscribers so no, nobody can replace u or be one..... It needs work and not everyone wants or know about it. If RU-vid was just videos , then why most contents creators are been forgotten by people or even another ones are appearing? , because like I say nobody can be one , jus a few will be
I have to say I disagree. I think you say it yourself here, you need to work hard, study the market of your niche and start from nothing. It won’t be easy but it’s possible for anyone. That’s my personal opinion 💚
I was lucky to be contacted by DIA TV right at the beginning of the time where they would reach abroad for creators. They basically signed pretty much all small creators making k-content at the time 💚
I'm so glad you mentioned that you are not privilidge because of your job and life. You are not. You worked hard for this, you chose this and put lots of effort to achieve what you want. You moved to another country at a young age alone. You needed a lot of curage and you had to put in lots of work to become what you are today. I can't understand why people can't see the hard work behind every person's success. No one has to say sorry for what they achieved or for what they get from life. I believe we can control our life. Is it easy? No. But it's our responsibility. It was really eye opening for me again that you mentioned this and very inspiring. Thank you! 🙂
My hard work has definitely moved me to a privileged position for sure! Having the freedom I’ve created for me is much more privileged than so many, and I’m so thankful to myself for this. Thank you for your words 💚💚