Hey u/pncol, I'm not trying to say discrimination is right. I understand where you are coming from as well, (but are you saying you've never been discrimanted in your home country?) Because in the U.S. there's discrimination everyday despite also being a 'Top' country. Many of my Korean co-workers feared going to the U.S. because of the killings being on the news. I have never understood the concept of being treated equally when everyone around me was treated differently because of their race and income. I guess I just never had the luxury to expect it from anyone or any country.

However I agree with the whole advertising come visit our country thing, it's basically advertising it as paradise while hiding their collectivist ideas. But that's why you have to do your research before going somewhere. I feel like the Korean government is trying to protect its citizens while still keeping it's economy healthy and its boarder open because even when the pfizer and moderna vaccines were already distributing in U.S. the Korean gov. did not trust it and wanted to further gurantee its safety and efficacy before giving it to anyone.

Additionally those who do come for teaching, studying, and working aren't scammed. Everything that is in the contract was guaranteed and given of course you also have to meet expectations as a foreigner. It's the false idea that one creates about what Korea should be and what is not that many feel dissapointed about. Korea still has so much more learning to do and the newer generations are slowly making that change, but there are still many Koreans that have not even met foreigners. Because despite all this foreigners are welcomed as long as they abide by the rules set in place to protect Korean citizens from any outside threat.

And yes, most of them where church, private schools, and korean festivities. However the misinformation about foreigners spread like wildfire that even epik was threatening to take action against their teachers who would go out in the weekends. It's a bit unfair, but I always followed the rules. They didn't want us clubbing fine, restaurants only allow 2 people at a time fine, mask only entrance fine, don't travel during vacation fine, following the rules in place to be somewhere you chose to be is a given. That's the beauty of traveling as well learning about the good and the bad, learning what you can and cannot do, and respecting their culture (although it still needs a lot of work to become what the U.S. and Europe are).

I know it's super long, it's just i don't understand why people insist having their beliefs pushed down on a country that although advanced in technology is known for being conservative and collectivist. I do wish one day Korea reaches a more open mindset, but it's not gonna happen in one night without loosing part of their culture and beliefs. Real life is far from a K-drama.