Recording summary · October 2020
why I wouldn't live in korea again
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Overview
Daniel explains the decision to never live in South Korea again after five stays, focusing specifically on the fifth visit, which was Daniel's first time living there independently.
The independent stay proved to be Daniel's worst, saddest, and most isolating experience compared to living in other countries, driven by challenging retail encounters, expensive supermarket groceries, unsatisfactory dating outcomes, and a depressing urban appearance.
Currently living in the Netherlands, Daniel ranks South Korea poorly as a place to live, contrasting it unfavorably with experiences residing in Japan.
Daniel acknowledges that individual personality and personal background shape one's time in South Korea and that experiences vary for everyone.
Themes
Heating problems in Daniel's apartment involving a radiator and boiler repeatedly turning off.
Daniel's travel history and housing across five visits to South Korea, including reducing the final stay to roughly one and a half months.
Negative retail interactions in South Korea marked by language hurdles, perceived intimidation, and store staff deemed either unfriendly or overly enthusiastic.
The price disparity between costly supermarket groceries and cheap restaurant meals in South Korea, alongside Daniel's preference for home cooking over traditional open markets and noisy dining venues.
Daniel's dating experiences with Korean women, where seven first dates failed to result in second dates or physical intimacy, contrasted with past experiences in Japan.
Daniel's unfavorable impressions of the capital city's urban aesthetic, which contributed to feeling downcast.
The influence of individual personality and background on one's experience in South Korea.
Developments
Daniel lived in South Korea on four prior occasions with an ex-girlfriend, depending on her for day-to-day needs.
At the beginning of the year, Daniel resided independently in South Korea for approximately one and a half months before cutting the stay short.
Daniel went on seven dates with Korean women during the stay, none of which progressed past a first meeting.
Uncertainties & gaps
Daniel was uncertain of the precise cause for feeling the most depressed, sad, and lonely while residing in South Korea.
Daniel was unsure whether retail workers in South Korea were genuinely annoyed by communication barriers and requests to speak English.
Daniel questioned whether inappropriate food stores had been chosen due to departing before learning the best places to shop.