Meet Emilie, a French expat in Seoul, working in global marketing for Korean companies. She shares her Korean experiences on YouTube and TikTok, enjoys fast and convenient Korean life, and is passionate about exploring beyond Seoul. Emilie dreams of building a stable life in Korea with the right visa.
Interview – Study in Korea
- WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
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France
- WHAT DO YOU DO IN KOREA?
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I arrived in South Korea about 6 years ago after graduating with my Master’s degree in France. I did my Master’s degree Internship in Seoul, then studied Korean for 6 months at Yonsei Korean Language Institute before using my Working Holiday to find my first full-time job. I work currently in a Marketing Agency. I do Global Marketing for Korean Companies, it can be Social Media Management, advertising, Influencer Marketing, and more. And I am also trying to grow my YouTube and TikTok accounts where I share my experience in Korea as well as Language content.
- WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN KOREA?
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I grew up interested in Japanese culture (manga, Japanese music, and drama) and naturally discovered Korean culture along the way. I loved the sound of the Korean Language and when I traveled to Seoul for the first time in 2012, I just fell definitely in love with the country and decided to try to live here after graduating.
- WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STAY IN THIS CITY?
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As an expat, Seoul was in my sens the best choice to find a job since I couldn’t speak fluently Korean. And most companies are located here, especially the ones that want to go to the global market. It’s also easier for daily life things and all my friends were here. Since I met them over the past last 12 years through my travel in South Korea, it was the best choice for me.
- WHERE IS YOUR LOCAL RECOMMENDATION IN THIS CITY?
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Since most of my time in Korea was under Covid, I couldn’t really enjoy entertainment but I started to travel a little more, and I enjoy going out of Seoul. I would say places like Gangneung, Busan or Jeju is really great to enjoy the sea for me.
- WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST WHILE STAYING ABROAD?
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Everything is convenient and fast like delivery (grocery, food). Since I am working I don’t waste time doing shopping and I would also say coffee shop and restaurant where I can meet my friends. There are always great places to go and discover with friends and have a good time!
- WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE BEING IN KOREA?
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I would say the working culture, a lot of way of thinking is really strange to me and Koreans don’t communicate when there are issues which makes things worse when we could have just solved the problem in two seconds, but also the non-organization, I feel a lot of things could be done faster or more efficiently if just organize more.
- WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KOREA AND YOUR COUNTRY?
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I would say first around food, in France meal time is sacred and we use it to enjoy the food and talk with family and friends while Korean eat really fast and don’t really talk while eating. Also the alcohol when we are out, I would say we drink way more slowly than in Korea.
- DID YOU EXPERIENCE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS?
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Not really, for now, I am trying to build a stable life and have a visa that allows me to enjoy more life in Korea, then I will decide what I do and if I stay in Korea.
- WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?
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For now, it would be to be able to build a stable life in Korea with the right visa. Up until now because of the working visa, I feel a little on the edge like I could lose everything any day so I really want to build something that would allow me to feel at peace and not stress in the next few years.
- MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS WHO WILL GO TO KOREA.
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If they want to visit Korea, I would say to try to visit also outside of Seoul and explore the countryside, because I think Korean outside of Seoul are way more welcoming and warmed and trying to talk to foreigners than Korean in the Capital. But also to try as much as possible the culture, and experience activities no matter what are their interest. Korea has a lot to offer culturally and I still discover everyday even if it’s been years I am here and I think if they are visiting only for a short time then they should try to do as much as possible to learn more about this beautiful country.
- HOW DO YOU LEARN KOREAN?
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Currently I learn Korean by myself in my free time with books and videos, but looking for new ways maybe thinking taking soon private lessons or finding new language exchange partners.
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