What should I know before working at a hagwon (학원) in Korea?

Hagwon teaching can be a great experience but has known pitfalls. Here are the main things to watch out for.

Red flags before signing. Excessive pressure to sign quickly, vague contract details, no clear daily schedule, requests to pay your own visa or flight (these should be reimbursed), unusual housing arrangements (cramped apartments, shared with multiple teachers without consent), or claims that you can work side jobs (this is illegal on E-2 visa and your employer may use it against you).

Contract specifics to verify. Salary range (typically 2.1 to 2.7 million won monthly for E-2 visa). Working hours (most are 120 to 130 teaching hours per month). Vacation (10 to 15 days paid, plus national holidays). Housing (most provide single apartment with utilities partially paid). Severance pay (eligible after 1 year, equivalent to 1 month salary). Flight allowance (round trip, paid as bonus or reimbursed). National Pension and NHIS contributions (50/50 employer/employee).

Research your hagwon. Search the name in Naver Cafe foreign teacher groups, Reddit r/teachinginkorea, Dave's ESL Cafe forums, and Facebook groups like Korea Teaching Network and Korean Hagwon Blacklist. If a hagwon has a black mark, you will likely find it. Avoid hagwons with multiple complaints.

Legal issues common to hagwons. Late payment of salary (more common than you'd hope), forced unpaid overtime, sudden contract changes, illegal deductions from final paycheck, withholding visa documentation, and unilateral termination during probation periods.

If trouble arises. Korea has solid labor protections even for foreign workers. The Ministry of Employment and Labor (1350 hotline, English available) handles labor disputes. Foreigners can file complaints for unpaid wages, unfair termination, and contract violations. The Korean Labor Standards Act applies to all workers regardless of visa.

Quality hagwons exist. Chains like CDI, ChungDahm Learning, YBM, Avalon, and JEI generally have better contracts, more structure, and clearer expectations than smaller independents. They pay slightly less but offer more security.

Trust your gut. If something feels wrong before signing, walk away. The hagwon market is large and you will find a better fit elsewhere.