Jason,

If you didn't have a few intelligent things to say in your entry, I would have to accuse you of opining like a sanctimonious pile.

First off, the 'complainers' as you have put it, are usually people who are hopelessly tired of being manipulated by dodgy Hagwon owners, who either don't pay on time, at all, etc.

I don't know how many different teachers' accommodations you have visited...but the average housing given to the average ESL instructor falls way short of being anything they are accustomed to in their own country..you liken it to the average style of accommodation in 'your own country'.

Most of the time, you would be lucky if your place of residence in Korea is more impressive than a 10’ x 15’ box , with kitchen, bathroom, and living room....all in the same room. And no....the average Korean does not live this way...as I am personal friends with several, and have spent time in their well appointed homes.

You also did not tell folks here about how they always place the foreigners on the very highest levels of the apartment buildings...ofter where the summer heat can be oppressive.

Since you're trying instead to appeal to everyones' common sense, then why don't you try to prepare them for the unbearably jingoistic, nationalist, x-e-n-o-p-h-o-b-i-c Korea. That is if you really care about people.

For those who want an impartial, educated, and legally correct report on the current status of teaching in Korea, including links to official immigration sources, check out: www.efl-law.com.

This web page has saved alot of foreigners from the sling.

Jason, why don't you tell us all whose endorsement you're really trying for here. Who's paying you to lure the 18-somethings, who need some dough, down into the pit?

Remember, there are more blacklisted ESL schools in South Korea, than anywhere else on the planet. Check these out, and see if the folks here are merely just 'complainers'. See it yourself. The stories are true.

English School Watch (International)
englishschoolwatch.org/notebook.php
Mark's ESL Blacklist (International)
marksesl.com/forums/cgi/access/black-white_lists.cgi
Hogwon Blacklist (Korea):
www.geocities.com/hagwonblacklist

That' just to name a few.

Do your research. Korea can be interesting...but watch your back. How about telling these folks about the Hagwon owners who accuse the teachers of student molestation, just so they can get out of paying the severance bonus.

Seriously Jason, is the money that good?