You got a job (in Korea)
You are excited.
It might be a global or local company, a new gig, or maybe even a relocation to Korea.

But then, you hit a wall.

The work hours are brutal (because you need to show that you work hard and that is quantity over quality first).
Your ideas get ignored.
You feel like an outsides, no matter how hard you try.

Western professionals expect meritocracy. (click the link for definition)
"If I produce great results, I'll be rewarded".

In Korea? not necessarily.

Of course, your skills matter.
BUT, your ability to endure long hours and follow the hierarchy matters more.

It's not about performance.
It's about proving your dedication.

And that's why so many foreigners struggle in Korean companies.​
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Here’s what they don’t tell you before you sign your contract:

1. Collectivism Over Individualism
   • In Korea, the team is more important than you.
   • You finish your tasks early? Doesn’t matter. You stay until the team leaves.
   • You have an amazing idea? Careful. If your boss/manager/supervisor isn’t on board, don’t push too hard.
2. Hierarchy Above Performance
   • There’s a Korean saying: 윗물이 맑아야 아랫물이 맑다. "The upper water must be clear for the lower water to be clear."
   • Decisions at the top shape everything below.
   • If your boss says something, even if it’s wrong, no one challenges it.
   • A junior employee openly disagreeing with a senior? Unthinkable.
3. Work-Life Balance (Or Lack of It)
   • Leaving at 6 PM? I did it and That’s cute (but's so wrong).
   • The real work starts after hours—회식 hwe-sik (team dinners), late-night emails, weekend meetups.
   • It’s not just about work. It’s a loyalty test. If you skip, expect your team not to be on your side.

Now, imagine a foreign manager in this system.
He/she comes from a flat structure leadership culture
He/she openly debates an idea.
And finish at 6 pm sharp.

After a year I bet the dream is taking a plain going back to his/her home country.
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So how do you thrive in a culture or business culture that it is so different?

Here is how to get started:

• Master the Unwritten Rules
  • Your work isn’t just your performance. It’s how well you align with your new team.
  • Observe before you speak. Read the room/ Nunchi, 눈치.
  • Build relationships before you push for a change.
• Respect the Hierarchy, Work Around It
  • Do not ever challenge your boss in public.
  • Want to propose something? Make your boss look good while doing it. That's right, your manager/boss takes the credit, but remember you are playing the long-game. And as long he/she is your manager you are building points until your time comes to be the star.
  • Learn to influence behind the scenes. (If you don't know how then observe how your colleagues do it).
• Balance Adaptation With Boundaries
  • Please, don’t try to "fix" Korean work culture (this is a typical mistake).
  • Set your own limits without disrespecting the system (find the gap between Korean culture and your culture)
  • Understand and accept that after-work gatherings are part of the job—and that helps you in your daily job.

Many foreigners fail in Korean companies because they try to fight the system.

The ones who succeed?
They navigate it.

They understand that Korea isn’t about standing out.
It’s about belonging first, leading second.

Want to succeed in Korea without losing yourself?
Let’s talk.

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​Laura Valls​