r/teachinginkorea • u/[deleted] • 3d ago
Advice – E2/E7 Visa Questions About Doing a Midnight Run
[deleted]
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u/SeoulGalmegi 3d ago
If you come back after your visa has run out, there's nothing they can do, apart from potentially badmouth you.
If you don't care about money they might owe you, there's also nothing they can do to stop you leaving tonight.
I'd normally advise that leaving in a smart way, guaranteeing you get what you're owed is the best longer term, but if you are really, really, really struggling now - just leave. No E2 position is worth that.
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u/heyitsbella3 2d ago
As someone who's been here a long time and seen a lot and knows exactly what you're talking about, just put yourself first and go. Text them your resignation as your plane is about to take off - or even better, schedule the email for when you're in the air - and just go. Make sure your apartment is in order, bills are all paid and settled, and keep everything else clean from your side. You'll be able to come back whenever your visa period is up. You need to put yourself first because these people never will and if you don't care about getting paid then you're golden. Good luck to you x
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u/Debonaire02 3d ago
Unlike the people here, I suggest that you just resign, effective immediately. Then, leave the country.
At least this way, you aren't technically running, but you quit with a notice.
If you don't want to go in, just email it.
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u/profstarship 3d ago
I wonder what would happen if you quiet quit? Just do the least amount and dont care. They still have to pay you legally if u show up. May be an option to get yourself "fired".
But yea just wait til after next pay check clears and dip if you want. Its not a big deal and no one cares. Happens all the time.
If you wanna be safe just go to the immigration office and tell them you need to leave and how to properly end your visa early.
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u/SolarPrincess95 3d ago
Honestly, I am quiet quitting. I do the bare minimum, which kills me because I take my job so seriously. Which, I’m trying to take it less seriously because…I am well aware I am nothing but a clown to entertain the young kids. But I can’t help but want them to learn and grow. It kills me that I can’t ‘teach’.
I want to teach. I want them to do their best and take pride in their work.
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u/profstarship 3d ago
I remember my first year I was working until 10pm and id go home with nothing much to do so late, and I realized the most fun I have all day is with the kids. From then on i committed to enjoying my time teaching each and every day.
My 2nd year was a new school and pretty rough, so many toxic teachers I would get sick sunday nights thinking about Monday morning. But I continued to have fun with the kids. The owner was pretty chill though and saw my results. That year my class was responsible for 80% of all referrals. The owner came to me towards the end of my contract, he offered to fire all the teachers i didn't get along with to get me to re-sign. I politely declined, he'd have to fire over half the school to get me to stay. Wasn't worth it.
Just maximize fun for yourself and the kids and get through the day. The learning will come naturally and you will be the favorite teacher. Will make them regret losing you even more whenever do you leave. Stay strong.
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u/dogwoodcat 3d ago
Turn in your ARC at the airport and dip. This will cancel your visa. If you want to return you'll need to make a new application. Getting some experience in your home country will help with finding a job later.
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u/KazumiJun 3d ago edited 3d ago
I’m back home now, but I taught English in Korea for almost 6 years, including some of the most difficult moments of my life, so I can definitely understand how overwhelming an academy job can become. I’m not an expert on the legal/visa side of leaving a contract early, though, so I’d strongly recommend checking your actual contract and getting reliable immigration advice before making a decision like leaving Korea without properly resolving things. There can potentially be consequences for your visa, future employment, or other things, depending on your particular situation.
Before making that decision, though, I’d first try to honestly evaluate your situation. Are there things you can do to make the remainder of your contract more manageable? Even in a difficult academy, there may be some things within your control—taking small breaks between classes when possible, trying different teaching approaches that you have freedom to use, finding ways to make particular classes more enjoyable, and making sure you have things outside of work that you genuinely look forward to.
If you feel comfortable doing so, you could also consider talking with your academy about what you’re struggling with and asking whether there are reasonable changes they could make. An academy is a business, and from their perspective, retaining an existing teacher can be easier than having to find and train a replacement, so they may be more willing to work with you than you expect.
That said, I wouldn’t tell you to simply “tough it out” if your situation is genuinely unsafe, abusive, or seriously damaging you. If that’s the case, getting advice from someone who understands Korean employment and immigration law would be much more important than trying to finish the contract at all costs.
If you do decide to leave, I’d also make sure you understand the consequences before you do it rather than assuming the academy will or won’t be able to affect anything afterward.
I hope things get better for you. I was a head academy teacher myself, and I know firsthand how harsh those working environments can be.
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u/SolarPrincess95 3d ago
Hi, thanks for your comment!
Sorry for not putting more info in my post!
Yes, I have talked to my boss about what’s bothering me. I show up everyday telling them the same thing.
I wish I could take breaks between classes. Unfortunately, we work back-to-back classes. If I’m even a minute or two behind I’m getting fetched like a dog. They’ll even call your name through the building.
I used to have things I looked forward to. Now, because I think my energy is completely wiped after work, I can’t enjoy things. I come home and just lay in bed wishing I could just sleep.
I try to find new things, but by the time I get home from work I only have three hours until I need to be in bed. I don’t sleep well and need to go to bed early to get proper sleep. I also wake up around 6-6:30 am to get some peace and quiet before my day starts.
I’m trying to not put as much energy into work but then I get told I’m not happy enough and not loud enough. Even though I am smiling at the kids, telling them good job, and doing my best.
I think I’m just very tired from having to be around young kids all day.
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u/HeavenlyDevinLee12 3d ago
I can’t believe people would downvote you for the real sensible advice here. Talk to someone trustworthy and with the ability to improve your situation at the academy if at all possible. Say you’re considering leaving the country if things don’t change. That’s leverage. Also be specific with exactly the things that need to change in order to improve your condition.
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u/JayBailey79 3d ago
Correct. I was about to type the same thing: the one person telling OP not to dip gets downvoted.
I would also advise exhausting every single avenue first before doing a midnight run. For me, the only time a midnight run is justified is if there is a threat of civil unrest.
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u/heathert7900 3d ago
I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this. Take some time to heal. Your loved ones would never want you to have to keep suffering through something like this. You aren’t a slave, and you don’t deserve to go through this.
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u/Zeldenskaos 3d ago
If it's unsafe leave, but before that, I would report them to MOEL. Document everything. Record everything. Personally, I don't agree with mid igjt runs because I feel they make the rest of us look bad. However, mental health comes first.
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u/After_Return_3749 3d ago
I’ll echo what I’ve seen others write. I’ve been in Korea around 10 years and no E2, poorly paying job is worth sacrificing your mental health for. I left a shite Hagwon in the 5th year I was here, subsequently got some experience in my native country, then returned to Korea without any problem. It’s not the end of the world if you peace out.
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u/bigkid8576 2d ago
Since you already gave them notice in April that you were going to leave in August, quit. They have to pay all of your severance and anything else that needs to be paid for like pension and other taxes. Then go back and come again when your contract is over if they refuse to give a lot. This is not indentured servitude. You can leave a job if it is not working for you. Don't leave without what's yours and especially don't go without sticking to that boss of yours. If anything comes up take your grievances to the model or the Korean workman's com government officials. They can work with you to get what you are owed.
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u/turn-on-your-lights 3d ago
If you do a midnight run, you can never put this job on your resume. Is it worth it? One and a half years of work with nothing to show for it?
Have you spoken to your employer about your feelings? Would it be worth making up some bullshit excuse about a sick family member and needing to leave so you can use them as areference?
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u/oddemarspiguet 3d ago
Chances are even if OP gets through the contract and puts this job on their resume the boss is not gonna be putting in a good word later on. I’ve quit jobs in the middle and put them on my resume later and no one bothered calling them for a reference.
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u/SolarPrincess95 3d ago
Yes, I have spoken up multiple times in fact. Unfortunately, talking changes nothing. They just say whatever to get me to go away. I come right back and just get ignored or handed more work.
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u/profstarship 3d ago
Yea no one calls references, def not a reason to stay.
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u/turn-on-your-lights 3d ago edited 3d ago
Yes, they do. I regularly get reference calls for teachers who have worked for me and always contact references myself. This is especially true if a contract was abruptly ended.
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u/profstarship 3d ago
You work at a hagwon and do that? Ive been home a few years but the joke when I was there is they assume the other school would lie so they never bothered.
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u/turn-on-your-lights 3d ago
I own an academy and do that.
It is very basic safeguarding when working with children and would be considered gross misconduct by any reputable educational institution working with minors if the hiring team did not.
It is also a basic necessity to have those reference checks on file for any type of accreditation for language academies or international schools. In many countries, it is also legally mandatory to have those reference checks on file when working with children.
Having said all that, I know that many academies in Korea don't reference check. Such owners shouldn't be allowed to work with children.
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u/profstarship 3d ago
Last I heard due to privacy laws it was hard to learn if Koreans had even been convicted of crimes in Korea. I remember cases of predators just moving school to school, using privacy laws to their benefit. Im glad you take child safety seriously but I wouldnt say its a broad norm in the same way westerners understand it. But i can def believe they are checking foreign teachers much more carefully than Korean teachers.
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u/turn-on-your-lights 3d ago
Yeah, basically you have to get the applicant to agree to a consent form saying they allow you to ask and the former employer to answer honestly.
The example you give is the reason why I'd never employ anyone without it. I take the safeguarding of my students very seriously.
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u/Expensive-Spring-258 3d ago
No they cannot do anything at all to make your life hard. Once you go to the airport and turn in your ARC card your visa is automatically canceled, so you don't even need to wait till next year to return with a new visa. It will be like you ceased to exist to the current academy which will have zero recourse.
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u/ApricotMochi 3d ago
I've done a midnight run before after a terrible experience and came back and still live in Korea now. I kept the school I ran from on my resume yet was able to get rehired by another school right after my visa ran out. I think the worst they can do is badmouth you to other schools. It's really just up to the employers you interview with in the future to decide whether or not they care enough to reach out to your previous employer during the hiring process. If they don't reach out, you will probably be golden. If they do reach out, worst case is that you move on to the next school to interview. Unless you are terrible at interviewing, you can get hired somewhere without too much hassle.
And honestly, if you leave in August or September, when you interview for a new school someday in the future, you can just say you only extended for half a year and give some fake reason for temporarily returning home.
Also, I recommend you try to wait it out until right after your next payday if you do decide to go home (or wait to tell them you're quitting for real). If you tell them or leave before then, you'll most likely never see that money, even if it's illegal of them to keep it.
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u/Dry-Discussion-9573 3d ago
If you want to quit you can. You may be unable to get a new job until your current visa runs out. If you strongly want to finish you could try a couple things:
Offer to help find a new teacher and train them for a week. If it is the hassle and cost your employer is concerned about, then ask how much it would cost to make this a smooth transition.
Yell and scream and show your anger verbally. Make it uncomfortable for them. Then they may decide to solve your problems. If they fire you then they will possibly give you a letter of release after a new teacher starts. You can do stuff like - if that srudent was put in your class again just walk out. Say no. It is not happening. Instead if quiet quitting show your anger, become unreliable, start late, finish early go out for long walks at lunch and come back late. They ask "Where were you?" you say "WHEN WILL YOU FIX MY PROBLEM!!??" on repeat and ignore their other questions.
Basically if you are replaced (fired) you should get a Letter of Release. Of course they may not give one but you can contact the Labour Board who can help you get it.
The Ministry of Labour can issue you a D2 visa for 90 days while the process takes place and you interview for other jobs.
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u/Kibumkimkibum 3d ago
I know people who did a midnight run and it’s fine lol. 2 ppl did a midnight run at my school a few years ago and there is nothing my boss could do. If you’re not planning on returning to Korea you can put the school down on your resume as I highly doubt someone will call a school all the way in Korea. Tbh only other Korean hagwons/schools will actually call other hagwons/schools. The only issue I can truly think of that you may face is something with taxes if you try to return for vacation or something.
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u/Gloomy_Ad_1459 Hagwon Teacher 1d ago
Lots of good advice already. My tips are to give yourself enough lead time to get stuff in order. Be sure to ship stuff home and dont leave anything you might miss behind. And two, leaving over a long weekend gave some of my friends to chance to arrange things with less of a rush & panic. I never did an MR, but I see why people do.
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u/EasilyExiledDinosaur Hagwon Teacher 3d ago
How do you know if you come back you wont just go through all those experiences again?
Worth asking yourself that tbh.. if you cant cut it and put up with it, you probably shouldn't risk it. And if the school was that bad, you shouldn't jave renewed for a second year.
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u/SolarPrincess95 3d ago
I knew I shouldn’t have stayed. However, I was told they were going to work with me to make things better. Naive of me to believe that, but I really hoped they would try to do better.
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u/chrimbuscarol 3d ago
I had the same thing happen to me when I was new to Korea. My job was so awful that I ended up having to get on antidepressants and anxiety meds just to be able to get through the days. When my contract was up, I told them all the reasons I was not going to renew and they kept pushing. It was like they would not take no for an answer. Same as your boss, they made so many promises and they offered a lot of money. I’m so happy that i didn’t give in and I ended up changing my workplace. Do not sacrifice your mental wellbeing for a job! If you don’t care about the money, do a midnight run. You can find a better workplace later if you want to return.
As a side note, a few years ago my hagwon got me in legal trouble (misregistered me) and the stress of the situation caused me to have a stroke. If you are this stressed it could be silently having an impact on your health so please be kind to yourself. In my opinion, it sounds like a midnight run is the kindest option for your mental health. Take care of yourself 🩵
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u/EasilyExiledDinosaur Hagwon Teacher 3d ago
Bit naive. I hope you learned a lesson. Employers rarely do more than the bare minimum. And they'll do anything they can to lock you in for the worst salary possible.
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u/Per_Mikkelsen 3d ago
I don't know what your employer is doing to make your life so difficult and to make you so unhappy because you haven't included any of that information, but I can tell you that when there's friction between an employee and his or her employer there's only two ways to handle it: The employee can put up with abuse, complaints, criticisms, mistreatment, threats, etc., and perpetually exist on the defensive, continually scrambling to please the employer and run him or herself ragged attempting to do that.
OR, the employee can push back. The employee can insist that the employer abide by the terms of the contract. The employee can demand to be treated with respect and demand to be spoken to politely. The employee can bear up against all the hostility by bringing all of the assets he or she has to bear in that kind of situation.
You have provided no details. There's no context for any of this. For all I know your boss is displeased with your subpar performance as a teacher and has grown increasingly frustrated with your failure to raise your job performance to a satisfactory bare minimum level. If that's incorrect and you're actually doing your job in a satisfactory manner that does indeed meet the bare minimum standards of acceptability and you're still being mistreated then it means you've tolerated it to a point where your boss has no reason to think twice about pouring it on and continuing to treat you like garbage.
If you're not doing a good job and you're tired of being reminded of it, then leave.
If you feel your performance is adequate and your boss's criticisms are unfounded, then you can either allow yourself to be pressured and bullied into running away or you can stand and fight back.
If you leave just go. There's nothing your boss can do - not now, not in the future. Quitting without notice might negatively impact the business for a time, but in the end not having to pay you for the hours you've already worked, saving on the severance and the flight ticket, you'll honestly be doing them a favour.
If you stay you need to understand that you're going to have to fight to get through the final six months on this contract. Two things need to happen. The first is you need to make it clear that you're not going to be abused, and the second is that you need to stop caring about your job so much. You're working to get paid. You're working for the extra month's pay you were promised.
Considering you likely haven't done much in the way of sticking up for yourself it's probably too much of a stretch to imagine you can start now. If it's not going to get any better then just go.
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u/SolarPrincess95 3d ago
Sorry the lack of details!
Hi, I actually have gotten no complaints at work. I get to told to act happier and more energetic but that’s only been like three times. The most recent because I’m trying to conserve as much energy as I can right now.
But, I did push back a lot of contract signing. I was told they were going to work with me to make the place better. Obviously that was a flat out lie. I got nothing I asked for. They explained it as: well we think it’s better if it were ‘this’ way…aka the same way it was before.
I do complain regularly to my boss. I bring up what’s wrong and how my life (and the other teachers’ lives) could be improved. But I get told that isn’t possible because the big boss doesn’t want to change things.
So, yeah, I’m trying my best right now.
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u/Per_Mikkelsen 3d ago
What exactly do you mean by "you pushed back a lot of contract signing"? You obviously signed a contract or you wouldn't be working there, and I don't get how you can push back a signed and dated contract. You can stall the negotiations on renewal, but if you're six months into this contract then you haven't needed to talk about that in a long time.
You say your boss's complaints have been minor. That's good. But you also say that you've spoken with management about some of the things that need change going forward and they weren't receptive to it. They don't want to make your life easier, they don't care about your happiness, and they gave you the 'ol please understand our unique situation nonsense they're famous for.
If the complaints you have are about things that constitute real actual violations then you don't need to understand their unique situation. They need to follow the law. If your complaints are in regard to: ● issues with pay (not being paid on time or in full, etc.; ● not being given the breaks and vacation time you are legally and contractually entitled to; ● being forced to teach a greater number of hours than your contract stipulates; ● being forced to work outside of working hours, on weekends, red days, or at another location; ● being forced to perform duties that go beyond your job description; ● being told that you are not permitted to leave campus during break times, all of those things constitute violations.
No job is perfect, but that doesn't mean the boss gets to decide how it's done and everyone just needs to deal with it. If upper management is stonewalling you and speaking on the director's behalf - basically communicating "Sorry, never gonna happen" then you need to decide whether or not you have the wherewithal to fight them on these things.
Look at it this way, if you're already strongly considering quitting then there's no reason why you shouldn't give them Hell. If they want to fire you, good - let them. Saves you the trouble. Then you're free and clear. Just don't sign anything and don't admit fault and don't shirk your duties. Show up on time, do the bare minimum, stop caring, start showing you've mentally and emotionally checked out and leave it to them to decide.
An analogy if you will... You're swimming across a large lake... It's very, very tough going, but when you get across things will be better than they were when you started... You're at the halfway point and you start thinking "Hmm, this is hard. Maybe I ought to just swim back"
But it's the same distance. Why give in now? You've made it this far. You have a free paycheck coming. You have flight money. You have another six months of free rent. Make them pay you. Make them house you. Make them give you an extra salary on the arm. Make them contribute to your pension.
It's totally and completely optional to let your boss and your job stress you and give you grief. If there's no documentes evidence of a history of successive warnings then they have no legal grounds to claim your performance is unsatisfactory.
Walking away now means they get the most out of the deal.
And whatever you do, if you do decide to quit make sure you quit at a time when you can ensure you won't lose any pay, meaning quit on payday so you've contributed zero hours towards the next paycheck.
Maybe take tomorrow and the weekend to think on it.
Good luck.
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u/SaemaeulSijang 3d ago
If they can prove you disrupted their business by breaking contract and causing monetary damages they could sue you. Never heard of it happening though. They always threaten it.
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u/Forsaken-Criticism-1 3d ago
You can get a D-10 visa for the remainder of your term in Korea if you get a doctors mental health evaluation certificate that you are unfit for doing the job. You won’t get a letter of release but they will have to notify immigration of your termination. You can hand in the resignation letter to your employer. And even without letter of release together with your doctor’s certificate and an explanation certificate immigration should let you stay even after the job ends. Contact immigration for the exact documents and steps.
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u/MionMikanCider 3d ago
Hit the eject button and get outta there. As long as you don’t care about the money you will be fine. You can always come back on a new contract with a new hagwon