An increasing number of young adults around the world are embracing Korean culture and language, inspired by the Korean Wave, which encompasses K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, and K-fashion. Korea is known for its vibrant lifestyle, featuring convenient public transit networks, robust Internet connectivity, an excellent healthcare system, public safety, and a diverse array of culinary delights. This is why many young people are flocking to Korea on working holiday visas. Let’s hear from some of these youths who are currently experiencing Korea through the working holiday scheme!

I wanted to understand the
Korean spoken in my favorite
K-content.

Hello, my name is LIN ZIH CIH. I’m 31 years old and come from Taiwan. My journey with K-pop began during my college days, with Super Junior and Big Bang quickly becoming my favorites. I used to search for translations of their lyrics and started memorizing Korean words by doing so. My interest soon extended to K-dramas, which I watched in my free time. Whenever I faced tough times, I found comfort and inspiration in the courageous lines and the resilience of the protagonists facing challenges.

Later, while working overseas, I met many friendly Korean colleagues. Eager to join their conversations, I started studying Korean seriously. Although I was able to learn vocabulary and grammar in Taiwan, opportunities to practice speaking were scarce. Motivated to enhance my Korean skills, I quit my job and moved to Korea in September 2023.

(Credit: LIN ZIH CIH)

I now live in a gosiwon and work at a café.

Currently, I’m working at a café in Euljiro, Seoul. Having only started recently, I’m still in the early stages of learning. My primary duties involve preparing ingredients for beverages and desserts. While it’s challenging to memorize the numerous recipes, I find my work fulfilling due to the positive atmosphere. I discovered this job opportunity through Danggeun, a Korean app, and secured the position after an interview.

For my accommodation, I used an app called Gobang to find my current place. After spending my first night in Seoul at a hotel, I used Gobang app to arrange tours of several gosiwon rooms. I visited four places to look around and signed a contract afterwards. Now, I live in a gosiwon near Dongdaemun

(Credit: LIN ZIH CIH)

I’ve had my share of oopsies with the Korean language.

My Korean is still a work in progress, so I’m continuing to improve it. When I first arrived in Korea last year, I faced challenges with simple purchases. For instance, I mistakenly bought fabric softener or wool shampoo thinking it was laundry detergent. Another time, I got an order wrong because I misheard the telephone number. For communication purposes, if your English isn’t very good, I recommend studying Korean a bit before coming to Korea.

The primary reason I opted for the working holiday program in Korea was to learn Korean and make Korean friends. So, for the first three months, I enrolled in a language school. I gathered information on language schools by attending study abroad fairs in Taiwan and searching online. I applied to the school through a website called BO Korean Wave Academy (BO韓流文化學院). Given that language schools in Seoul were quite costly, I chose to study in Busan instead. If given the opportunity, I would love to learn the Busan dialect; it has a unique charm.

Tourist Recommendations: Jeju Island and Nearby Smaller Islands

When it comes to tourist destinations, I highly recommend Jeju Island. One of its greatest attractions is the opportunity to enjoy the island’s scenery by walking along the famous Olle Trails. To experience the trails in their entirety, you’ll need to take ferries to smaller islands such as Udo Island, Gapado Island, and Chujado island. These islands are largely untouched by human development, preserving their breathtaking natural beauty. The sliced raw fish and dried yellow croaker (gulbi) I savored on Chujado island were exceptional. In March and April, Gapado Island is blanketed in vibrant yellow canola flowers. I captured some of the best photos there.

With the gentle breeze, walking along the trails scatters your worries to the wind. The same goes without saying for Udo Island. Under the blue sky, you can hop on a motorcycle to explore the alleyways adorned with black stones, all the while taking in the serene views of the sea in the distance. Don’t forget to enjoy the famous burger and the island’s specialty, peanut ice cream, by the white sand beach.

Each region in Korea has its unique charm and attractions. For history enthusiasts, Gyeongju is a must-visit. Jeonju stands out for those interested in exploring traditional hanok buildings, while Busan is a top recommendation for those who appreciate both mountains and the sea.

Go to festivals to add zest to your daily routine!

I love going to festivals that offer hands-on experiences. During my visit to Busan, I attended the Busan International Film Festival. There, I had the opportunity to see celebrities and even shook hands with some. The festival introduced me to many remarkable films.

While staying at a guesthouse in Jeju, I unexpectedly became part of a TV program. They filmed us participating in a yacht experience, which was incredibly fun.

Another unforgettable experience was attending the Dongnaeeupseong History Festival, especially the Hanbok Disco Night, which was exceptionally fun. I also remember participating in the squid game there.

Make sure to learn Korean in advance!

I strongly recommend improving your Korean as much as possible before arriving in Korea. To fully enjoy festivals like I do, a certain level of Korean proficiency is necessary to navigate information. Without the Korean language skills, acing an interview for part-time jobs becomes challenging. Moreover, for finding accommodation, using websites frequented by locals can help you discover better deals more efficiently. While a short trip might be manageable without speaking Korean, decent Korean language skills are essential for those considering a year-long working holiday.

This has been the story of LIN ZIH CIH, who, through the working holiday program, has embraced life in Korea by attending various festivals and exploring the country. Her keen interest and affection for Korea and the Korean language shine brightly. Are you eager to dive deep into Korean culture? We highly encourage you to embark on a working holiday in Korea!

INFORMATION: Taiwan

▶ How to Apply for a Working Holiday Visa (H-1) to Korea

* Eligibility

- The main purpose of the stay must be for tourism. Engaging in paid work to supplement travel funds is permitted.

- Must be between the ages of 18 and 30

- Stay period: 1 year

*Required documents

- Passport (with a validity period of more than 12 months), identification and a copy of it, application form, certified copy of the family register, photograph, plans for travel and activities, etc.

- For further details: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr

*Where to Apply: The Korean Mission in Taipei

*For more information, please visit the following websites:

- The Korean Mission in Taipei

- Working Holiday Info Center

▶How to Change Your Working Holiday Visa (H-1) to a Long-Term Student Visa (D-2) in Korea

* Eligibility

- Must be residing in Korea for the purposes of studying, research, exchange programs, and other educational activities.

*Download and complete the application form from the Korea Immigration Service.
www.immigration.go.kr

*Required documents

Passport, photograph, documents testifying to the purpose of stay, financial statement, health statement, etc.

▶Find information on Korean Language Programs in Korea!

Go to VK Travel Highlights

▶Recommended websites

- BO Korean Wave Academy

: You can apply for language schools here. It also provides extensive information on living in Korea.

- 韓國觀光公社-visitkorea

: It provides information on famous tourist attractions, restaurants, cafes, festivals, and events.

INFORMATION: Hong Kong

▶ How to Apply for a Working Holiday Visa (H-1) to Korea

* Eligibility

- Must be between the ages of 18 and 30, inclusive

- Stay period: Up to 12 months

*Required documents

Passport (with a validity period of more than 6 months), application form, financial statement, plans for travel, etc.

- For further details: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr

*Where to Apply: Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong

* For more information, please visit the following websites:

- Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong : overseas.mofa.go.kr

- Working Holiday Info Center : whic.mofa.go.kr

Curious about other working holiday experiences?

* This column was last updated in April 2024, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.