G'day Edward.
Looks like we are on opposites here.
I taught In Japan for six years, and knew nothing about Korea.
My now partner in Australia is Korean, she is also a full time student studying English here.
I cannot compare teaching in Japan to Korea as I have never taught in Korea.
What I can say is that Korean people for me, are very outgoing and friendly with no hang ups, which appears to be very different to Japanese.
I'm not sure if that's in Australia, but I am being contacted all the bloody time now from Korean friends asking me to do favours and it's driving me nuts!
Lieterally, Korean friends start to feel like family and you just can't say no.
I've interviewed eight Korean holiday visa makers over the last two weeks to check their English level for employment as a favour for a Korean friend who runs a student agency here.
Two days ago, I was writing down the model number of her 22 year old nephews car, and then pushing it out of a very long driveway trying to sort it from him from her!
Sorry, just had a beer and feel a little tipsy