Before moving to Korea, I thought I could live on Korean BBQ, Bibimbab, Korean Fried Chicken every day! Now after more than three years here, the absence of certain comfort foods has become increasingly noticeable. It becomes more noticiable whenever you go visit your home country after a while and think to yourself “How could I survive without this dish for so long?!”
As a foreigner in Korea, I often get this question from Koreans:"Why do you live in Korea?!" My simple answer is "I came to Korea for the love of K-Pop group, TWICE," but the full story goes deeper. When I first arrived, I immediately felt a deep connection to the country. In fact, my journey of settling in Korea has been a careful preparation spanning more than 15 years, made up of many small steps.
This document presents an analysis of over 500 responses from individuals interested in Korea's Working Holiday program. It highlights key market insights, motivations for participation, cultural interests, and challenges faced by applicants. The findings show strong preferences for Seoul as the primary destination, with significant interest in Korean food and cultural experiences. Challenges such as employment, visa processes, and language barriers create business opportunities for support services. The analysis suggests a growing market for specialized services catering to both short-term and long-term needs of Working Holiday participants, indicating a robust demand for comprehensive support in navigating their experiences in Korea.
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The interview with Jay, the CEO of Enkostay, highlights the challenges foreigners face when moving to Korea, such as finding housing, navigating the immigration system, and combating social isolation. Enkostay aims to be more than just a rental platform by offering assistance with long-term housing, legal documentation for immigration, and opportunities to connect with local communities through their EnkoPlay events. Jay shares his personal journey and the mission behind Enkostay, which seeks to transform the foreigner experience in Korea by providing comprehensive support and fostering a sense of belonging.
This page provides a comprehensive guide on renting apartments in Korea through Enkostay, a platform designed to simplify the rental process for foreigners. It highlights the challenges foreigners face, such as high deposits and language barriers, and explains how Enkostay offers a hassle-free alternative with no deposit required, English-speaking support, and furnished rooms. The guide outlines the booking process in eight steps, from browsing listings to check-in, and emphasizes the platform's user-friendly approach, making it easier for newcomers to settle in Korea. Additionally, it mentions the benefits of Enkostay's services, including a welcome kit and community events for residents.
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This page announces a partnership between the author and Enkostay, a platform that helps foreigners find housing in Korea. The author shares their personal experiences with housing challenges in Korea and highlights the benefits of Enkostay, including no deposit requirements, a variety of housing options, flexible contracts, and immigration-ready documents. The author expresses excitement about working with Enkostay to build trust within the global community of foreigners and plans to share more information and resources in the upcoming month.
This page discusses the Mobile ID system for the Alien Registration Card (ARC) in Korea, which allows foreign residents to verify their identity digitally using smartphones. It outlines the activation process for new and existing ARC holders, emphasizing that the activation must be done in person at an immigration office. The document also provides important notes about the use of Mobile ID, including the need to carry the physical ARC and the requirement to re-register if changing devices. The conclusion highlights Korea's commitment to digital transformation and improving administrative processes for both citizens and foreign residents.
This page explores the significance of spice in Korean cuisine, tracing its history from the introduction of chili peppers in the 16th century to their cultural importance today. It discusses how spicy food is not only a culinary hallmark but also a source of stress relief for many Koreans, as the consumption of spicy dishes triggers endorphin release. The article also provides a ranking of popular Korean dishes based on their spice levels, from mild options like Bibimbap to extremely spicy dishes like Jjamppong and Maeun-galbi, emphasizing the subjective nature of spice tolerance.
The document outlines a podcast episode of "Korea Deconstructed" featuring David Tizzard, a professor with extensive experience in Korea. The discussion centers on the host's personal journey in Korea, exploring themes such as cultural identity, the role of a cultural translator, and the differences between virtual and real experiences of living in Korea. Key topics include social integration, important Korean cultural concepts, and the significance of having clear goals while living abroad. The conversation emphasizes Korea's potential as a platform for personal and professional growth, offering valuable insights into Korean society and culture.
This page provides a comprehensive guide for D-8-4 visa holders in Korea on obtaining necessary tax and business certificates for visa extension. It outlines required documents, including tax payment certificates and corporate registration certificates, and details the steps to acquire them through official government websites like HomeTax and IROS. The guide emphasizes the importance of understanding the process to maintain control over documentation tasks, highlights validity periods, and offers tips for managing administrative responsibilities independently. It concludes with encouragement to stay organized and proactive in handling these requirements for a smooth visa extension process.
This document provides a comprehensive guide on how to issue an electronic invoice in Korea, detailing the prerequisites, step-by-step process, and important notes. It explains the necessity of having a valid business registration number and a digital certificate specifically for tax purposes. The guide covers logging into the HomeTax system, navigating to the electronic invoice section, filling in invoice details, and ensuring proper registration of the digital certificate. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of issuing invoices within the same month of the transaction and maintaining records for at least five years.
Korea experiences long summers and winters, with brief perfect weather in spring and fall. Ideal visiting times are late April to early May or late September to early October for the best weather and beautiful scenery, like cherry blossoms and autumn colors.
