Kumi
Here's yet another story of a Korean ripping a foreigner off! The name of
the Hakwan is "Eastern Language Academy" 26B Sangmo-Dong Kumi, Korea. The owner's name is Jang, Jin-wook. 054-465-0059.
I'm almost into my 10th month of my contract in a small mom and pop hakwan
in a small town near Taegu. The place is a little more that one year old and
at best is mediocre. I'm the only foreign teacher and they've had nearly a
100% turnover of Korean teachers since I've been here. The hakwan isn't
doing too well, several hakwans have opened up this year including one just
down the street--this one set up by the assistant mangager and 3 teachers
who left and started thier own hakwan. Being a small town, the competition
is pretty fierce! A lot of students have come and gone and the recrutiment
rate for new students is pretty low. Basically, I'm to be out of the
apartment right before the Chinese New Year and by contract, he'd have to
pay a bonus for the vacation as well as the severance at the end of March.
I'm not sure what I can do, but short of going to the labor board and having
other Koreans make a decison, based on the lies he'll tell--I don't think I
have much recourse.
I came into work today and out of the blue was informed that I have one
month (as per our contract) to be out of my apartment. The reason I was
given is that "20 students have quit because of me" and "the other teachers
don't like me." He can't tell me when or who, just that 20 have quit! A hell
of alot more than 20 students have quit recently. The other teachers don't
even talk to me, and I don't talk to them, I wouldn't know if they don't
like me or not! I know this place isn't doing too well, but of course since
I'm the only foreigner, I'm to blame! There is virtually no communication
between me and anyone here. I was informed about the winter change of
schedule the night before it changed, last summer I was informed about the
change by phone an hour before classes started!
The thing is, the hakwan isn't that great and nice shiny new hakwans have
opened up nearby. This place after one year, looks like it's 5 years old
with torn up furniture as well as the wallpaper hanging off the wall in
shreds. I haven't enjoyed it much but I've hung in there since last March.
There's been alot of times I had to grit my teeth and put up with this
ignorant shit! The hakwan owner is basically screwing out of my last month
bonus pay and the plane ticket. More than US$2000--typical Korean behavior!
There was a foreign teacher here before me, but I guess he lasted a month or
two. Jang, Jin-wook may be looking for another teacher soon, so if you don't
want to get ripped off, stay away from this sinking ship! Feel free to
contact me if you have any questions!
Jim Wentz
Jan 2002