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!

BTS is nothing but love: It was Jung Kook who brought me to Korea.

Hello. My name is Yuki Nishimura. I came to Korea from Japan in March 2023 on a working holiday visa.

My fascination with Korea began with my admiration for Jung Kook of BTS, which prompted my first visit in 2017. That trip marked my first time traveling internationally, and while I was initially very nervous, I soon discovered that Korea and Japan share many similarities. This realization helped me relax and start to enjoy everything Korea has to offer, from its delicious food to its exciting shopping for cosmetics and clothes.

Not long after my first visit, I returned to Korea to study Korean at Sejong University, where I eventually achieved TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) Level 1. Afterwards, I went back to Japan, completed my university studies, and started working. It was during this time that I realized the importance of searching for my true passion and the experience of living in a country other than my own. This realization led me to return to Korea, this time on a Working Holiday Visa.

Now, after obtaining my certification, I’m working as a Pilates instructor!

Back in Japan, yoga was my hobby. After moving to Korea, I started practicing Pilates as a form of exercise. The program I attended had many Japanese students, and the head instructor encouraged me to consider becoming an instructor myself. Motivated by this suggestion, I began preparing for the Pilates Instructor certification in August 2023 and successfully obtained it in just four months. Now, I work as a part-time instructor at the very studio where I learned Pilates.

Would you believe me if I said that I began my working holiday journey in a guesthouse?

When I first move to Korea, I stayed in a guesthouse in Myeongdong for two weeks. As a foreigner looking for a one-year lease, finding suitable accommodations was challenging. Fortunately, a staff member at the guesthouse introduced me to a real estate agent who helped me secure a great studio apartment.

I began learning Korean in Japan on my own using a textbook. Later, I enrolled in the Korean language program at Sejong University, which helped me achieve a basic proficiency. While I could speak Korean to a certain extent, tasks such as writing contracts for my apartment or cell phone service posed a challenge. Now, thanks to the support of my Korean friends, my Korean skills have significantly improved.

I have so much love for my kind-hearted Korean friends!

Koreans have a deep sense of care for others. During my stay at the guesthouse in Myeongdong, a Vietnamese friend introduced me to a Korean who was my age and lived in the same neighborhood. We quickly became friends. This friend then introduced me to others, and together we went on trips, shared drinks, and experienced a lot of warmth and friendship. I noticed that Koreans often express their care through sharing food, like jjigae, which feels quite different from Japanese practices.

I recommend Busan for its beautiful scenery and delightful cafes!

If you’re traveling in Korea, I highly recommend visiting Busan. The city boasts beautiful beaches and numerous picturesque cafés, offering the chance to savor a coffee while taking in the ocean views. The local cuisine, especially the pork and rice soup (dwaeji gukbap), is also a must-try. I also visited Chuncheon and Jeju, where the uniquely beautiful scenery of Korea is on full display, complemented by charming cafés. Both cities are highly recommended for a complete experience of what Korea has to offer.

When my family members or friends visit Korea, I always make it a point to take them to Myeongdong. The guesthouse where I stayed at the beginning of my stay in Korea is located in this neighborhood. Moreover, I believe that Myeongdong’s food street not only offers delicious food but also presents interesting sights. When my mother came to visit, I took her to Anguk-dong, a neighborhood I particularly enjoy for its abundance of traditional elements, including hanok. The area is dotted with numerous charming cafés, allowing us to have a delightful and relaxing time there.

I achieved my aspiration on a working holiday!

I fulfilled my dream of becoming a Pilates instructor through the working holiday program. Being able to obtain the license and start working immediately has been a joy. I’m thrilled with this achievement and plan to continue working as a Pilates instructor even after returning to Japan.

Japan and Korea are quite similar!
I highly recommend going on a working holiday in Korea!

Korea’s proximity to Japan makes it convenient for friends and family to visit. Indeed, my friends and mother often visited me during my working holiday, allowing me to show them around Korea. Additionally, the option to visit Japan whenever you wish is another perk. Korea and Japan share many similarities, making the adjustment to life here seamless. From drugstores like Olive Young and diverse cafés to clothing boutiques and the subway system, along with the familiarity of Chinese characters, living in Korea feels quite similar to living in Tokyo.

If you come to Korea on a working holiday, be sure to make many Korean friends! I believe the best way to improve your Korean is by engaging in conversations with them.

(Credit: Yuki Nishimura)

Yuki achieved her dream of becoming a Pilates instructor in Korea through the working holiday program, a dream she couldn’t find in her home country. As she mentioned, the cultural similarities between Korea and Japan make adjusting to life in Korea much easier. If you are considering a Working Holiday in Korea, now is the time to take the next step!

INFORMATION: Japan

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

* Eligibility

- Must be a Japanese citizen residing in Japan

- Must not have previously participated in any working holiday programs.

- Must be between the ages of 18 and 25 (up to 30 in exceptional cases).

- Stay period: 1 year

* Required documents

Application form, passport (with more than 6 months of validity remaining), photograph, certificate of criminal record, etc.

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

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

* Where to Apply: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan

* For more information, please visit the following websites:

- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan (overseas.mofa.go.kr)

- Working Holiday Info Center (whic.mofa.go.kr)

▶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

- Konest (konest.com): This website provides information on part-time job opportunities and accommodation options.

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.