An Indian woman working in South Korea has shared her experience of the country's workplace culture, describing it as demanding and challenging, particularly for foreigners seeking employment.
In an Instagram video, Swarnim Singh advised prospective job seekers to carefully assess the realities of working in South Korea before making the move.
"If you are an Indian and you want to come to Korea, I would say, Don't Come," she said, citing intense competition for jobs and a decline in available positions.
Concerns over job market and satisfaction
According to Singh, increased competition and fewer employment opportunities have made it more difficult for foreigners to secure long-term careers in the country.
She said many foreign workers leave after completing one-year contracts because they fail to find job satisfaction.
"And if you come here, you will take more competition and you will leave after a year's contract. As is happening with a lot of foreigners these days because they do not get job satisfaction," she said.
Long working hours and workplace expectations
Singh highlighted extended working hours as one of the biggest challenges in South Korean workplaces.
She claimed that despite official office timings, employees often face unspoken pressure to remain at work even after completing their tasks. According to her, leaving on time can sometimes be perceived as a lack of dedication.
She also said many people form opinions about South Korea through Korean dramas and may not be fully aware of workplace realities.
"So if you want to work in a Korean company, you need to know what are the rules and regulations here," she said.
'Hidden rules' shape office culture
The content creator also pointed to what she described as "hidden rules" in workplace interactions, including expectations surrounding hierarchy, communication and participation in team activities.
She cited team dinners as an example, claiming that declining invitations could sometimes be viewed negatively by colleagues or management.
Singh added that many workplace expectations are not immediately apparent and are often understood only after spending time in the country. She encouraged those interested in moving to South Korea to prepare thoroughly before making the transition.
In the caption accompanying the video, she clarified that such experiences do not apply to every workplace and described them as part of a broader cultural trend.
Video sparks discussion online
The video attracted significant attention on social media, garnering more than 52,000 views and nearly 2,500 likes.
Many users shared their own perspectives in the comments section.
One commenter said the video had influenced their career plans, adding that while they still admired South Korean culture, they now preferred visiting the country as a tourist rather than pursuing a career there.
Another user described the workplace culture mentioned in the video as a reason they would only consider travelling to South Korea for a holiday.
A third commenter, who said they work as an AI developer, shared a different experience, noting that not all companies require employees to speak Korean and that they had been able to work without using the language.
