Recording summary · October 2020
[2020-10-12] why I wouldn't live in korea again [FVm1WL24Has]
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Overview
Daniel lived independently in South Korea for roughly six weeks at the beginning of the year before cutting the stay short, contrasting this fifth visit with earlier stays with an ex-girlfriend and regarding it as his worst living experience across multiple countries.
Feelings of isolation and unhappiness were driven by apartment heating issues from a malfunctioning boiler, intimidating shop encounters, high supermarket grocery costs, an unappealing urban landscape, and unsuccessful dating attempts across seven first dates with Korean women that yielded no follow-up dates or physical intimacy.
Daniel reflects that individual personality and personal background shape living experiences and notes that other people will experience Korea differently; he ranks Japan significantly higher as a place to live and remains content residing in the Netherlands.
Themes
Independent living difficulties and departure from South Korea.
Retail and grocery challenges, including high supermarket prices and language barriers with store staff.
Apartment boiler issues, city aesthetics, and negative impacts on emotional well-being.
Dating experiences in South Korea compared to Japan.
Comparative preferences for living in the Netherlands and Japan over South Korea, alongside reflections on subjectivity.
Developments
Daniel stayed independently in South Korea for around six weeks at the start of the year before ending the visit early.
Daniel encountered heating problems in his apartment due to a malfunctioning boiler.
Daniel went on seven first dates with Korean women that resulted in no subsequent meetings.
Uncertainties & gaps
Daniel is uncertain why he experienced a uniquely strong sense of sadness and depression in Korea compared to other countries where he has lived.
Daniel is unsure whether Korean store employees were genuinely annoyed by his lack of Korean comprehension or his requests for English.
Daniel is uncertain whether his unfavorable view of grocery shopping arose simply from not staying long enough to discover the best places to shop.