A Deep Look at Everyday Life, Subtle Bias, and Why Many Choose to Stay Understanding what it feels like to be a foreigner in South Korea requires listening to the people who actually live that experience. In a recent series of interviews, individuals from Portugal , Australia , the United States , India , and West Africa shared honest stories about their daily lives, challenges, and the unexpected things they’ve come to appreciate. Their backgrounds were as diverse as their reasons for coming—some arrived as English teachers , others as engineers or soldiers , and a few came as international students escaping conflict at home. Some had been in the country only seven months, while others had lived here for years. This diversity of perspectives is essential. A foreigner who speaks fluent Korean will naturally navigate social interactions differently from someone who just arrived. A person whose appearance resembles Koreans may blend more easily, while someone who stands out ...