High costs of living in Seoul make Koreans grind themselves down to the soul | Undercover Korea

I'm so glad that I don't care for being rich, I don't care for having a luxury car or any luxury for that matter. I live in Canada, a very simple life, I rent a small one room apartment, and I've got enough to eat every day and clothes to wear. I spend 200 $ on food every month, cooking everything and I eat very healthy! All my needs are met and I'm satisfied. I am also debt free. And I feel happier than any of the people I've seen in the documentary who wants so much in life.... Simplicity is wealth to me, and contentment.

As a Korean American born in Seoul, I can say there is definitely a difference in "business culture" between myself and my brothers in Korea. In Korea, you are a failure if you mess up on your first business and you should banish yourself. In California, my first business failure is what has been a great learning experience to come back stronger, and more successful. Dust yourself off, recalibrate, and then execute your next move. Never stop.

Couple years ago, when I was studying in Saskatchewan, my Korean roomate always told me how depressed the young generation are in S.Korea. I thought it just a mindset of some people who always think negatively about everything. But then I came to Seoul to visit him and he also introduced me his friends to catch up with, I realized that all of them are so stressful with their jobs, the topic during the meals always were cost of living, pressure in work and talking sh*it about their company and managers hahaha. I quite suprised with that. He moved back to Canada 2 years ago and he said that it's one of the best decision in his life.

Being a young person myself and grinding so hard in my country makes me realise, I am not alone! Best of luck to us and cheers to a brighter future.

I had a coworker that came to America from Seoul, South Korea. He told me the reason why he moved was because the work culture and environment in Korea is very toxic. For example, your supervisor or boss will often force you to drink with them after work, even though you don't drink or don't want to drink. You're often overworked up to 12 - 15 hours a day and then they force you to drink with them after that. Then you're back the next day early in the morning with barely any sleep and the cycle repeats itself. My coworker also told me that if you don't go to those after work "drinks," your coworkers end up saying you're disrespectful because you don't want to go and they basically peer pressure you into going drinking with them. They almost never just respect your decision for what it is and just let it go, because the culture is so wired into saying yes to everything and can never say no, because it ends up as being disrespectful or impolite. It's always frowned upon when you say no to something, as if it's wrong to say no. That's why people often end up forced to go to those kind of events, even though there are plenty of people that just want to be left alone after work because they want to rest. Then over the period of time, if you keep saying no, then it makes you look like the bad guy and then they'll try to get rid of you because you're not "fitting" in the group or however you want to interpret it. It's just so unhealthy and ingrained into everyone there. People that realize this walk away, while others try to endure it as long as they can, in hope that they can achieve their own dream one day. This is what I mean by the environment being very toxic.

I think life is just overall getting tougher and tougher all around the world.

Also, huge respect to all young generation, delivery people, business catering and start-ups, you all have my respect for not just working hard but working super hard!!

She's been to 29 countries and that itself is already an achievement! I havent been on another country at the age of 34 😅

Great doc. As an middle aged/older Korean, Seoul is way too hectic for me and living in the suburbs suits me a lot better.

I'm not the only person who has suffering from harsh life . this world is full of people like me struggling hoping for a better future 😢😢

I'm 18 and having a pretty hard time in my life (generally a pretty difficult few years), yet seeing all these people working so hard to actualise their ambitions in a relentless and unforgiving city somewhat similar to my own is really comforting. At this age, being alone in such a big city can get really daunting, but these people have shown me a warmth to it. I'm rooting for them, as well as myself!

Working hard to survive. I respect you guys

As a Singaporean, i relate to this 100%. Thank you for this, for letting me find solace in my modern age misery....Singapore is exactly like this too.

Sadly this appears to be a common trend in the world lately regardless of which country you are from.

The reaction at 8:18 when they asked if they're married killed me 😂

Korea is at the point where it needs to build another big city to compete with Seoul and take the pressure off. I know there Busan, Daegu, and the large areas surrounding Seoul are still populated, but Seoul being the only hub is going to continue to make life difficult. Companies should build elsewhere, and other industries too and hire young people to start their lives there. I know Seoul has a strong pull and feels it has the best potential, but you can have other cities. Think New York Chicago Los Angeles Miami. None of these cities are even remotely close to each other yet you can enjoy big city life and build a life in those places. Of course, some countries are small, but I think two major cities is possible for Korea. It might even help increase population.

Unless they are being rude to you, please dont write a negative review on a business. It broke my heart seeing how some customers left negative reviews due to the business not being able to find a delivery driver on time

it's almost strange that all these young people are working their asses off and leading pretty tough lives but yet they're so hopeful. or at least more hopeful than the ones i bump into in germany who are pretty much good at grumbling and don't do anything to improve their situations. hope is a powerful thing.

The problem in huge cities like these is that they enslave you. You can't live a simple life. Everything cots money. It's like one big casino which binds you because you want to recoup your losses. There is nothing to gain at the end of the ride.

Eye opening for sure. I live in Sydney Australia and yes it is also a very expensive city to live in but our work culture is not like that in Korea. We have set work hours for the most part. Once I leave my job that’s it, I don’t have to think about it nor am I obligated to work overtime or past my finish time. A lot more family and work/ home life friendly too. Buying a house is hugely expensive here. I was fortunate enough to do so quite a few years back but these days I definitely feel for the younger generation as it would be extremely hard to do so.