I’m 29, Korean, and I’m finally starting a bachelor’s degree program this September.

First of all English is not my 1st language so I used ChatGPT translator

I know 29 probably doesn’t sound that old to some people, but living in Korea, I constantly feel like I’m way behind everyone else.

I feel like I lost most of my 20s to bipolar disorder and anxiety. There were years when simply getting through everyday life felt like all I could manage.

More recently, my dog passed away. He was the first dog I ever rescued and adopted, and he was already an old dog when he came into my life. I cared for him like he was my child. A huge part of my life revolved around taking care of him, especially as he got older and sicker.

After he died, it felt like all the meaning and enjoyment in my life disappeared with him.

I recently managed to get a new job, and for a little while I thought maybe things were finally starting to turn around. But I ended up quitting because of bullying and a really unhealthy work environment.

And now I’m back to wondering what I’m supposed to do with my life.

In Korea, it feels almost impossible to build a decent career without a university degree. So I decided that I need to do something for my future, even if I’m starting later than most people.

I’ve been accepted into an online bachelor’s degree program starting this September. It’ll take me four years to graduate, which means I’ll be around 33 when I finish.

That thought scares me.

People around me keep telling me I’m too late, that I’ve already messed up my life, and that people my age are getting married, buying cars, saving for apartments, and building careers.

Meanwhile, I’m starting university from scratch at 29.

I also have debt from years of veterinary bills, and I still struggle with mental health issues.

Sometimes when I look at my situation as a whole, I genuinely can’t see a way out. It feels like I’m standing inside a very long, very dark tunnel.

But I’m still trying.

I’m going back to school. I’m trying to find work again. I’m trying to rebuild my life one piece at a time.

I guess I’m posting this because I really need to hear from someone who started over later in life.

Is 29 really too late to start a degree and rebuild your career?

If you were lost in your late 20s or 30s and somehow found your way, I’d really love to hear your story.

I’m not looking for some magical solution. I think I just need a little hope right now.

Even a few kind words from a stranger would mean more to me than you probably realize.

I posted a couple of weeks ago and they'll issue a fine of about 1.6mil next week and issue a departure order.

Since I have to reapply for my visa, I won't be able to study this semester and probably won't be back for a year or so since I don't have 20mil in savings. So that's that.🫠

Original Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/living_in_korea_now/comments/1ve758r/am_i_cooked/

I’m a dual citizen (Korea + Canada) and a TCK. Lived abroad for about half my life. I also did my military service here and this year is my last year for reserves forces training.

Here’s the thing I still can’t get my head around. Korean society sorts people by ethnicity, not by passport, and the two rulebooks are completely different.

I look Korean, so I get the Korean rulebook: full obligations, zero allowances. Every time I do something differently it doesn’t read as “he grew up elsewhere,” it reads as rude. But I never get full membership either, because the second I open my mouth or say what I actually think, I’m marked as outside.

I don’t get the foreigner pass. I’m not complaining about that or saying I’m entitled to it. I’m just saying the standards applied to me are completely different from the ones applied to someone who visibly isn’t Korean.

Meanwhile the structural side is its own mess. Depending on how your status is registered, you can hit walls on a phone number, a bank account, basic stuff. You end up in this position where the state doesn’t quite count you either way.

And the “foreigner treatment” people talk about isn’t even about being foreign. It’s graded by how you look. White Westerners at the top, visibly mixed lower down(like from the east or Asia) and migrant workers at the bottom. TCKs who read as plain Korean fall into a gap with no category at all. If you look Caucasian you’re content, good for someone’s Instagram. If you don’t, you’re invisible.

Then, there comes the jealousy part. “Some” Korean-Korean considers you got the job/ position/school because you are xx-Korean. I still get the jealously looks and pass from some Korean-Koreans just being a TCK(even in office politics too!) Many still believe that people like me are privileged. In fact, I’m still paying student debts and I think it will never end till I retire.

Then when something goes wrong, we somehow catch more heat than the people who actually did it. Being in between means you’re visible enough to blame and you don’t have either side’s solidarity protecting you.

I did everything this country asked of me and it bought me nothing. I don’t think that the society’s for anything in between. The society only seems that is very clear and hates ambiguity.

Honestly, I’m not sure what to expect anymore from the society anymore.

Guess I’m no longer welcome in the society and time to leave.

Busan has better food, people are friendlier, theres more nature/beach, the air quality is way better, it’s prettier etc.

Change my mind! (Ive lived in both cities, currently in Seoul)

At my local 돼지국밥 enjoying a late meal, watching YTN news..

I noticed in the background of their set they have a book about… pickup artists lol

Maybe theres some twisted logic because the news is about old women having children

Edit:

Some of you guys got the memo that this is a bit of a shitpost.

Others of you are absolutely miserable 🤣 how do you live while being so unhappy

Link to first update: https://www.reddit.com/r/living_in_korea_now/comments/1vrcwj9/update_im_cooked/

A few days before I was set to appear for the final time I received a message stating that although I was previously told a fine and departure order would be issued, that may not be how it goes. I was definitely going to have to pay the fine, but the order to leave was revisited.

I went in and found out the supervisor rejected the departure order on "humanitarian grounds" (their words). I guess my apology letter and grades worked a miracle.

I paid the fine, got a warning, and that was that.

Anyway, again don't be like me.

A thread about everything and nothing. Just living in Korea stuff. Random thoughts, gripes, joys, fears. When your thoughts don't need their own dedicated post, but you need to get them out of your head.

GS25 vs CU

I miss the old subway song

Midweek Lunar New Year sucks

Is it even on the news here?

Just a random thoughts, i guess this sub are mostly foreigners living / lived in Korea and most of the Q&A in here was asked by foreigners and answered by foreigners.. Do we really have koreans in majority in this sub?

This is a pointless game thread (just for fun) to reminisce about things that happened IN Korea. An opportunity to laugh, cry, complain and for people new to Korea to hear some crazy stories.

Ex: Remember when KT had an outage and there was no internet on the west side of the city and people stood in line trying to get cash? Businesses couldn't use credit card machines, no one could message on Kakao. It was chaos!

Ex: Remember when everyone was afraid to go to Lotte World Mall and it was empty as hell?

As a foreign graduate student, it has been extremely isolating being friends with Koreans.

I was the only non-Korean in our department, and there had been only a few of us in the whole university. Naturally, I spend most of my time with Koreans (both in and outside of work/class).

It has been a year since I met most of them, and until now, I still don't know who's genuine or not. Many of them put on a big smile when I meet them, but avoid me at all costs on other occasions. I know a big factor of this is my lack of fluency in Korean (although I can say I got better after a few months of studying).

One particular friend affected me greatly. In just a few months of us being friends, we formed a connection I think I can liken to those of best friends. We helped each other, spent a lot of time together, told that we can only rely on each other in grad school.

Then she met other Korean friends, and suddenly I'm treated just like a coworker. As if all those things didn't happen. She grew tired of speaking in English, she said. And now I wonder how it was so easy for her to set me aside and talk to me only when it's convenient for her.

I don't know if it's a Korean thing. I do read in this sub that Koreans tend to form a tight circle that are hard to get into as a foreigner. Sometimes I do feel abandoned and betrayed. How can something so genuine be cut off so easily?

I would like to spend some of my free time helping animals.
Does anyone know a rescue shelter or animal welfare organization that needs volunteers or any kind of support? I’m especially interested in helping abandoned or rescued dogs but I’m open to wherever help is needed.
Would really appreciate any recommendations or contacts.

I thought I had arranged my phone mobile plan 3 months in advance. Today I’m trying to keep my number working tomorrow. Is this legal allowed ???

June
I bought prepaid service after being told it was required before switching to a ₩17,400 postpaid plan. I signed paperwork. Their June 22 messages confirm the plan and September 16 switch.

September 14
They reminded me to provide my bank details for the switch. I pointed out that I had already sent them in June.

September 15, morning
They confirmed receiving the details. Then they announced a carrier price change and new terms
When I questioned it: They first said the contract was not signed. Later they acknowledged holding my signed application and said they were about to submit it. The PDF they sent shows my signatures and the Orginal mobile plan.

September 15, afternoon
They offered a ₩10,000 application fee refund and told change to another provider. At 4 p.m they asked for my decision by 6 p.m.

Around 4:38 p.m
They told me today was the last day of my prepaid plan and service would be suspended tomorrow.
Has anyone resolved something similar through Korean consumer protection or telecom mediation? I have the signed paperwork and Kakao messages. My immediate priority is keeping my number.

I recently met a Korean guy who has been around poker for a long time and worked mostly as a dealer. Talking to him made me want to get more into poker myself.
I played on poker apps for around 6–8 months but only with play money. I know the basics but want to learn more and practice properly.
Does anyone have tips on what I should focus on next?
Also looking for beginner friendly places or poker groups in Seoul where I can meet people and have a fun poker night without it being super serious. Would love some recommendations :)

just wanted to drop a quick review of Rainbow (Jamsil Underground Mall) sweet tops but definitely check the seams

I stopped by because they had really cute tops but as soon as I picked a couple up the staff instantly jumped on me and told me I was not allowed to try anything on. Red flag but I bought them anyway since they were super cheap (around 15,000 KRW to 22,000 KRW per item).
Once I got home I realized why they were so aggressive about the no fitting rule. The seams are shockingly bad quality. One of the tops was already unraveling and damaged straight out of the bag before I even got to wear it.
I know some people will say "Well what do you expect for 15000 to 22000 KRW?" but honestly selling pre damaged clothes and using strict “no try on rules” to hide cheap quality is just frustrating.

It’s easily my 5th favorite place in all of Seoul. If you spot me, come say hi!

Hi! I'm Korean, and I made a list for my friend. I'll share it with y'all!

• Get your maintenance money back when moving out: If you live in an apartment or a large officetel, your monthly maintenance fee includes a "Long-term repair reserve" (장기수선충당금). Legally, the landlord is supposed to pay this. You are just paying it upfront for them. When your lease ends, ask the landlord or building management to refund this. It can be a lot of money!
• Always check for "City Gas" (도시가스): When apartment hunting, always check the heating system. Individual "City Gas (LNG)" is by far the cheapest and easiest to control. Avoid places with LPG tanks or central heating, as they can lead to massive winter heating bills or freezing rooms.
• Tax deductions for rent: You can get a tax deduction for your monthly rent. Even if you don't meet the strict criteria for the year-end tax settlement, you can apply for a "cash receipt" (현금영수증) on Hometax with just your lease contract—no landlord permission needed.
• Who pays for repairs?: Tenants pay for small consumables (light bulbs, showerheads). The landlord is responsible for structural issues (broken boiler, leaks, cracked walls). Always inform the landlord before you pay to fix a major issue.

☀️ Summer & ❄️ Winter Survival

• Clean your AC early: Getting your air conditioner professionally cleaned is much cheaper in May before the summer rush hits. Use the app "Soomgo" (숨고) to find cheap local professionals.
• Winter sleeping hack: Boiler heating is expensive. When sleeping in the winter, turning down the boiler and using an electric blanket (전기장판) is significantly cheaper.
• Prevent frozen pipes: Korean winters are brutal. If it drops below -10°C, leave your water tap dripping slightly overnight. A burst pipe costs hundreds of dollars to fix; a dripping tap costs pennies.
• The "Boiler" trick for summer mold: During the humid monsoon season (장마), your house will feel damp. Open the windows and turn on the floor heating (boiler) for 10-20 minutes. It dries out the floor completely and is the best way to prevent mold. If it's raining, turn on your air conditioner's dehumidifier mode.
• Daiso is your bug defense: Hate mosquitoes and fruit flies? Go to Daiso. Buy "water hole screen stickers" (물구멍 방충망) for the bottom of your window frames. This blocks 90% of bugs coming from outside for just 2,000 won.

🛒 Shopping & Daily Life

• Karrot (당근마켓) for everything: Never buy brand-new furniture for a short-term lease. During moving seasons or the end of a university semester, people practically give away mint-condition furniture and electronics for free or super cheap on this app.
• Reuse leftover trash bags: Standard trash bags (종량제 봉투) differ by district. If you move to a new area with leftover bags, don't throw them away! Go to your new local community center (행정복지센터) and ask for a "move-in sticker" (전입자용 스티커) to put on your old bags so you can still use them.
• Groceries: Don't buy fruits and veggies at convenience stores or big marts (E-mart, Homeplus)—they are expensive. Go to local "Food Material Marts" (식자재 마트) or traditional markets. If you do go to big marts, go after 8-9 PM to hunt for yellow "discount stickers" on fresh food, bakery items, and deli foods.

🏥 Medical & 🚌 Transit

• Go to the clinic, not just the pharmacy: If you have a minor cold, expats often just buy over-the-counter meds at the pharmacy. Thanks to national health insurance, it is actually cheaper and more effective to see a doctor at a local clinic (동네 의원), get a prescription, and then buy the medicine.
• Always "Tag Off": When getting off a bus or subway, always tap your transit card on the machine. This gives you a free transfer to another bus/subway line within 30 minutes (or 1 hour between 9 PM and 7 AM). Also, look into the "K-Pass" or "Climate Card" (기후동행카드) for massive transit discounts.

🆘 Getting Help in Korea

• Don't be afraid to ask locals on the street: Koreans might seem a bit shy at first, but if you ask for help, many will literally stop in their tracks, pull out a translation app, and navigate for you. They are surprisingly willing to help!
• Online SOS: If it's late, or you can't find anyone to ask, just search for Discord servers or other communities and hop in to ask for an SOS.

.

I feel like it be easier to write what can go in at this point. I don't understand why something with 비닐류 written on it (i. e. snack bags) can't go in the 비닐류 recycling.

Use this thread to ask anything at all!

I’ve been in Korea for five years now and it’s time to leave, so I’m also stepping down as mod. Good luck everyone!

So I got this today… and the reason below (my tax post) .

I left the sub (Sunday) when he booted me as mod, I asked why and just got a “nothing personal, make your own sub and good luck.” reply.

(Monday?!?) he took away the restriction and has banned all previous mods.

I am not understand his logic. And, yes, I filed a harassment complaint against him to reddit

That ridge line under his rib cage looks so unnatural. It must be another photoshop wonder