Building a Life Abroad: Kim Ninja’s Guide to Korea

From visas to values: a positive, practical conversation about living in Korea

Kim Ninja joins Korea Deconstructed to talk about building an authentic life in Korea. Born in Germany to Vietnamese parents, Kim made the jump to Korea and now helps thousands of expats and digital nomads adapt culturally, practically, and legally. Through cartoons, articles, and community building, he offers a refreshing, optimistic take on life abroad — steering away from sensationalism. In this conversation, Kim shares practical advice on visas, adapting to Korean norms, and how to find real beauty in your experiences. 

Follow Kim Ninja

Instagram: @iamkimninja

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamkimninja/

Website: iamkimninja.com

David A. Tizzard has a PhD in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times, is a social-cultural commentator, and a musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He can be reached at datizzard@swu.ac.kr.

Watch this video next: https://youtu.be/QJ66Ew2FsOI?si=bSVFz590fd1xQPsM

Subscribe to the channel: @DavidTizzard/videos

Thanks to Patreon members: Hee Ji Jacobs, Bhavya, Roxanne Murrell

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Discussion Outline 

0:00 – Why Choose Korea? (Reasons to live in Korea)

2:45 – K-pop Matters for Asian People (Cultural significance of K-pop)

6:15 – Translating Eastern and Western Culture (Bridging cultural gaps)

10:40 – Living in Korea (Adapting to life in Korea)

25:00 – Avoiding The Negativity of Korea (Focus on positivity in expat life)

45:18 – Korea and Vietnamese Relations and Culture (Exploring the ties between Vietnam and Korea)

55:55 – The Visa Process in Korea (Step-by-step guide to expat visas)

1:04:50 – What Korea Can Improve for Digital Nomads (Suggestions for digital nomads in Korea)

1:10:00 – Final Thoughts (Kim Ninja’s advice for future expats)

Music by Jocelyn Clark: 

Connect with us:

▶ Get in touch: datizzard@swu.ac.kr

▶ David's Insta: @datizzard

▶ KD Insta: @koreadeconstructed

Questions or Topic Suggestions? Write in the Comments Below!

#KoreaDeconstructed #KimNinja #LifeInKorea #LivingAbroad #ExpatLife #KoreanVisa #DigitalNomads #KoreanCulture

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