When it comes to part time jobs and manual labor in South Korea, few people look towards traditional markets. However, as someone raised by a family that became very prosperious while working at Majang Meat Market, I highly recommend it. You can get free meals, an early end to the work day, and a starting salary above munimum wage. Why not look into working at Majang Meat Market?
The Allure of Majang Meat Market
The odor of butchered livestock and small ponds of its blood often dampen your shoes while splashes of it spot your calf at every step. Bits and pieces of raw organs are displayed at street level. Valiant looking cutters and butchers work hard while the roaring of delivery motorcycles blare constantly.
This is one of the traditional Korean markets designated by the city of Seoul. It is a place of homely reminiscence to this writer who spent the first ten of his Sellonals and Chuseoks surrounded by his family and kin whom mostly moved to market when young. It is a street I nearly put on fire from shooting fireworks at its wires as holiday ceremony; this is Majang Meat Market.
The market offers meats of highest quality beef to lowest pork. Both locals and overseas residents frequent the market, just as E-marts or other supermarkets in the city, at a price, likely, without much variance.
What distinguishes Majang Meatmarket is its unique atmospheres. Apart from the scents and noises described above, that mysteriously stimulate the appetite of visitors, the subtle craft of bargaining dueled with either handsome hustlers or much experienced madams lurs in customers. The haggard establishment of traditional markets emancipating you from worries of destroying delicate fancies of exquisite restaurants. Or, just the feeling of gratefulness you are endowed with after observing the occupational environment of one of the 3D employments in Korea, are unique attributes of this market.
Daily Life Working at Majang Meat Market
I once had an opportunity to contribute a meager labor of mine to one of many firms in the markets, my dadโs. The labor required much pysical exertion, the ability to balance oneself on a floor lubricated by waters and fats. Plus, that iron will to endure low temperature for hours, where the only heat source is oneโs own physical diligence. However, the genius engineering applications of elevators and carts to move boxes of five to forty pounds eliminated that devilish labor of carrying them up and down the stairs. Thank the almighty.
The benefits and compensations, under my limited experience of being acquainted with minimum wage laborers, were quite rewarding. The work starts early in the morning, around six with two meal breaks of approximately forty minutes each. And, is usually terminated by three in the afternoon, securing a good amount of time for rest and leisure. Meals are Korean, breakfast, and lunch, provided with about seven to eight side dishes of decent quality for replenishment. Having been abroad without meals at home for years, this provision was the finest benefit of all working in the market.
The ultimate compensation at the end of the month is well above the minimum wage of Korea. Even as a beginner, you may expect a whooping discrepancy of five to seven hundred US dollars to that of minimum wages. Compared to works that still pay slightly above the minimum when its intensity of labor sometimes exceeds that of Meatmarketโs. This may be one of the most underestimated labors in Korea likely due to its displeasing appearances.
Foreign Community of the Market
Korean language fluency is not required, but surely better to have if you wish to reach the position of management. Colleagues whom I worked with at the time were of limited Korean fluency or nearly none.
But, could it be just me who finds such colleagues to be more pleasing? As long as one is determined to conjoin team efforts and โfinish work as quickly as possible and go home!โ I noticed, there were no conflicts to be encountered at all among foreign staff. And, as years go by, appreciation of physical labor also increases, to a certain limit, even if you are not to become a fluent manager.
Also, these days where labors of the market are being much afforded by diligent foreign individuals, the issue of language, later on, may even be turned against locals. Although which language is yet to be determined. English? Chinese? Or something else? However, one thing is certain โ the nationality of such markets is changing.
Can I Work at a Traditional Market in Korea?
Overall, working at Majang Meatmarket can afford you a decent earning while the hardest labors are assisted by engineering applications. Both male and female employees contribute to different parts of the processing line. All are in harmony to finish the work as soon as possible.
If you are reading this article, one is likely not to consider such labor in the market. However, it may still be useful when one falls in between jobs or is in need of quick seed money to settle oneself in the city, for it saves you expenses of two meals a day. Still, in case anyone may be interested in pursuing a permanent career in the market. It is possible, as my parents have worked in the market for more than 40 years and live a far more comfortable life than many expect.
Students, as well as those on D-10 visas can get part time work at this market. For full time, E-9 sponsorship is plausable. There is also a special sub-category of the E-7 visa which offers positions for Hallal butchers, who may find a place at this market. And, of course, all F visas are welcome.
Overall, when it comes to manual jobs in Korea, a life at Majang Meat Market is surprisingly rewarding.
Want to learn about Majang Meat Market as a tourism destination? Click Here for more information!
