Even from 2004...nothing has really changed...except..

I don't watch them either, but can't help glancing at them as I channel hop or if my wife has a current series. Worse when my daughters come to stay. The one's that are typically on around our place revolve around scenes with a smattering of couples walking together while quiet music plays. Not many people around and the setting's either a river (the Han I suppose), a park, or a romantically lit street. Or you get the 'couples sitting together' on benches, scenes. Just stinks of romance and happiness, or gives the impression of a nice life.

Then you also have the romantic beach settings, or the always polite and handsome man, or the perfect family. There maybe one or two uncouth characters around...usually rich, and some catty women just to create some anxiety for the tall well-mannered boy and the love of his life Throw in tears, a fight, dramatic music to stir the heart  and a romantic end...and Bobs ya uncle...We have one of the typical dramas.

Others involve the hard working family whose son or daughter gets caught up with another from a class or two above. Rinse and repeat the dramatic scenes.

There are other versions, but I reckon you've got it, without me prattling on some more.

Geez, who said "I don't really watch them" 

Edit: not many puking, spitting, swearing, or family abuse themes. Ocassionally you get a worried older man who has drunk too much soju, or a younger person who gets a little meloncholy or angry over a broken heart or a sorry situation. Just adds to the drama though without creating a feeling of negativity in the viewer.

What a boring day I'm having 

You can get away from the crowds in Seoul parks and the Han river but you have to go early in the morning. As for beaches the trick is just to go any time apart from July or August and you'll virtually have it to yourself

Edit: not many puking, spitting, swearing, or family abuse themes. Ocassionally you get a worried older man who has drunk too much soju, or a younger person who gets a little meloncholy or angry over a broken heart or a sorry situation. Just adds to the drama though without creating a feeling of negativity in the viewer.

What a boring day I'm having 

I heard a lot of Koreans didn't like Squid Game because it actually discussed some of the real problems in Korean society. I also think dramas way overplay the importance filial piety has in people's lives. Sure, it's important, but that doesn't mean everyone follows it to the letter all the time.

I think the world is a lot different now than it was 10 or even 20 years ago.
Sure, back in the day when the internet was just starting out, there were not many options for those teaching ESL. However, now, you can easily complete online school in a different field.
If you have secondary skills like website design or graphic design, you can work many remote jobs. 

Obviously, if someone studied to become a nurse or a lawyer and then gives that all up to teach ESL for 10 years, that would be not a good idea... but if you have a relevant major, like international development, with a focus on ESL, it's fine to do this work. When you return home that makes you more credible as overseas work is what you need in this case.

Besides China, which is unfeasible at the moment, are there countries that have a TEFL market that pay more?

That would depend on your experience and qualifications.

I'm doing an iPGCE now. Thinking of carrying on and getting a Master's.

I'm doing an iPGCE now. Thinking of carrying on and getting a Master's.

The iPGCE isn't a TEFL qualification, so a bit irrelevant. Check out international school teachers forums to get an idea of the best countries to teach non EFL subjects. The Masters would depend on what subject and online/offline.

I'm a bit confused. How do you guys define "TEFL" in Korea? I'm at an international school now but I teach ESL

There have always been people around who get a kick out of making others feel bad about their lives. Usually because there's some aspect of their own lives they're not satisfied with. These people always claim they do what they do for altruistic reasons, they want to help people see the truth. I don't think they fool many people, least of all themselves

When someone is faced with a position or argument they cannot win or overcome, they attack the personal characteristics of the other individual.

I was attacked personally for years.   I planned very carefully and explained the rationale for my decisions. 

I was ridiculed by the so-called 'experts' who claimed to know everything, or peeps that declared they were happy with the positions they put themselves in.

The echo chamber was something I did not accept or prescribe to.  No matter how much they liked to drink themselves into happiness every weekend.

Now that I'm back home and doing well, I do take these posts as an 'I win' button.

KoreaBoo, I am glad you are doing well. May I ask where your home is and what you are doing now?

I love how this KoreaBoo guy has to keep posting on this forum to remind himself of what a winner he is. I only wish my contribution to the forum would have such a powerful influence over my own self esteem.  Then again, perhaps not everyone has the same needs that require that type of fulfilment. 

When someone is faced with a position or argument they cannot win or overcome, they attack the personal characteristics of the other individual.

I was attacked personally for years.   I planned very carefully and explained the rationale for my decisions. 

I was ridiculed by the so-called 'experts' who claimed to know everything, or peeps that declared they were happy with the positions they put themselves in.

The echo chamber was something I did not accept or prescribe to.  No matter how much they liked to drink themselves into happiness every weekend.

Now that I'm back home and doing well, I do take these posts as an 'I win' button.

Your ' position' or 'argument' is dull and has been rehashed a hundred times.  Are there lots of low paid jobs in TEFL? Yes. Are there other fields that pay more? Yes. Is it still possible to make a decent living? Yes. (I have)

As Adel points out, your motivation for continued posting on here is slightly more interesting. There's definitely a bullied at school air about your posts. Tell us more.

Your ' position' or 'argument' is dull and has been rehashed a hundred times.  Are there lots of low paid jobs in TEFL? Yes. Are there other fields that pay more? Yes. Is it still possible to make a decent living? Yes. (I have)

As Adel points out, your motivation for continued posting on here is slightly more interesting. There's definitely a bullied at school air about your posts. Tell us more.

Textbook defensive post. 

Exactly as I stated it would happen.

Thank you for proving my point.

I love how this KoreaBoo guy has to keep posting on this forum to remind himself of what a winner he is. I only wish my contribution to the forum would have such a powerful influence over my own self esteem.  Then again, perhaps not everyone has the same needs that require that type of fulfilment. 

My position has never changed on this forum when I was living in Korea, and after I left.

It has remained consistent throughout.

The only difference are those who cannot see the forest from the trees, failed in Korea, left, newly minted ESL instructors who think they got it all figured out...failed...left ...new peeps...etc.

Textbook defensive post. 

Exactly as I stated it would happen.

Thank you for proving my point.

How is that defensive when I've agreed with two of your positions? Do you require me to deny the evidence of my assets so I can agree,with you on the third?

My position has never changed on this forum when I was living in Korea, and after I left.

It has remained consistent throughout.

The only difference are those who cannot see the forest from the trees, failed in Korea, left, newly minted ESL instructors who think they got it all figured out...failed...left ...new peeps...etc.

Dude, I left Korea almost 10 years ago and also live a comfortable life. I enjoy posting here too, it's just I don't feel the need to buttress my self esteem in the same manner.
Would you acknowledge it's possible that people choose to remain in Korea for a host of reasons different to your own rationale for leaving?
I kind of miss the place myself but would find it difficult to return given the comfort levels that I would leave behind. Ideally I envisage a time where I could just alternate between hemispheres to appreciate the warmer months.

I'm a bit confused. How do you guys define "TEFL" in Korea? I'm at an international school now but I teach ESL

It's not my area but from what I've heard schools that don't require qualified teacher status, like yours, are usually classified by those in the business as 'fake' international schools. In order to work at a 'real' international school you have to have QTS and usually a couple of years' expereince in your home country. They don't teach EFL at these 'real' internatioal schools, or if they do they employ a teacher already teaching a subject at the school. As I said, international school reddits can give you more info about this.  If you're teaching EFL full time you're an EFL teacher, so your job would be considered part of the TEFL industry in Korea.

During normal times they typically require at least an iPGCE. Due to shortages, they just had to drop the requirement recently. What makes an international school 'real' or 'fake'? There's lots of international schools for people from non-native English speaking countries, like French, Germans, etc... Is it the student body?

From the International school teachers Reddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/Internationalteachers/

What is an International School?

An International School is traditionally a school for international students that live in a host country not their own. For 'real' international schools, students are the children of other expatriates, or children from the host country that have spent significant time living outside of their country. School curriculum and instruction is given in English. Teachers are typically a mix between local hires that speak English fluently, and international teachers.

However, there are schools and countries that allow students from the host country to attend. While this is not traditional in an international school, it is not uncommon. There are also bilingual schools that may call themselves 'international' - for example, a private school in the Middle East that has mostly all local students with a few classes in English may call themselves an International school. These schools may have a handful of international students.

Teaching at an International school is not the same as teaching TEFL in a school abroad. Please visit the wonderfully helpful community of r/tefl for questions about that.

Wow these guys sound... uhh... "fun."