- Biblical Proverb
So lets compare across a range of things:
Friendliness: Korea is actually by far the most friendly (see the caveat below) esp in the smaller cities like Taejon (1.5 mill) where with just a little bit of charisma you will be treated like a star (some people never want to leave). The larger cities in Korea like Seoul and Pusan have lots of foreigners so you won't cause much of a stir. In Taiwan they tend to treat you more "normally" (although you still get the endless "hellos") so would say its the second most friendly again esp in the smaller cities further south. Japan is not exactly unfriendly its just that they tend to be a bit reserved compared to other Asians.
Racism/Xenophobia: Paradoxically Korea has the most esp in outward behavior (the Japanese have it but tend to be more polite about it). The Koreans are often described as having a chip on their shoulder about foreigners and this is the root cause of many foreigners getting ripped off and being unhappy in Korea. Some say its because the foreigners don't adjust to a new culture but if this was the causal reason there would be similar complaints by foreigners in other Asian countries like Taiwan but thats not the case.
Politeness/Forthrightness: Japanese are extremely polite even with strangers. The bus drivers there will generally thank everybody that gets off. On the other hand they often won't tell you what they really think/feel. Koreans are quite different from most Asians. They can be quite rude with strangers to say the least esp in the larger cities like Pusan (Seoulites though are more polite) where people will typically push in front of any lines etc. If you know them though, and you have status in the pecking order, Koreans can be very polite (they have a very hierachial social system like the Japanese). Also Koreans are generally very open in telling people what they think/feel and you often hear them arguing away. By contrast the Taiwanese are mellow and reasonably polite by Western standards but again like the Japanese they often conceal what they really feel (we would say "two faced" although they're just avoiding direct confrontation as is the Confucian way).
Money saving potential: Japan generally pays the most but its also extremely expensive (the most expensive in the world according to surveys). At the high end (university jobs etc) its by far the best place to make money in Asia. For just general jobs at private language schools its easier to save money in Korea and Taiwan because its so much cheaper. You can save money in Japan but you can't do so and live like you can in Korea/Taiwan at the same time. Taiwan and Korea are fairly similar although conditions in Taiwan vary a lot. See The Japan Myth for a more detailed comparison. Bottom line you can save US$1000/mth before overtime/privates for 30 hours per week in all three countries (although in Japan you will have to work longer hours or be very frugal).
Language Schools: Korea is probably the least demanding at least on the face of it. Japan is also easy in that you can often just clown around a lot but they tend to demand more prep time, it can involve traveling time to jobs that they farm you out to and and you're often under pressure to renew students. In Taiwan by contrast generally you actually have to teach. The schools can be quite demanding and the parents are even more so. The mothers put the kids in for a day or two to see whether they like it and the mothers may check up on your classes though the window or whatever. They are also very particular about how you teach their children etc. Eg they wanted me to do a hook on the bottom of a small t. I had to explain to them this was a stylized t and not a normal written t. Taiwan can also involve a lot of prep at some schools for the same reason (parents putting a lot of pressure on the schools). Despite all this though I found Taiwan easier than Korea even if you do have to work at teaching. Why? The kids are usually much better behaved and actually expect to work. Sure in Korea you can clown around but having kids screaming and jumping around can actually be the most exhausting of all. Also on a personal level I find it's much more satisfying to actually be teaching. In Japan the kids tend to be very quiet and docile so teaching is easy although some find getting the kids to respond difficult.
Lying and cheating on contracts: Korea has a chronic problem in this area. Roughly at least 1 in 7 schools are bad news. Strangely Taiwan society is more corrupt generally but you don't hear the horror stories that come out of Korea although things like petty lying and cheating are even more common. The Chinese god is money!. Also regards Korea the Korean teachers at the schools don't get ripped off anywhere like what the foreign teachers do. In other words it seems to come back to Koreans ambivalent feelings about foreigners. Japan has hardly any problems and if you do their visa situation is such that you can easily change jobs (you own the work visa, not your employer unlike in Taiwan/Korea).
Climate: Korea/Japan have four distinct seasons generally, with temperatures from freezing (avoid northern Japan) to sweltering. Taiwan is sub tropical so it tends to rain in summer and be very hot a lot of the year (air conditioning is fairly standard). Whats your preference?
Food: Korean food is usually the most popular because it has the most flavor (they use a lot of chili). Taiwan food can be a bit bland but chilli is usually available if you know how to ask. Japanese food is everywhere and Taiwan is more cosmopolitan than Korea so its easier to get German/Italian/French food etc and even Korean food (in Taipei) if you miss it. Seoul has a few foreign restaurants but even their second biggest city Pusan has bugger all. They had just one Thai restaurant there but it closed down because it wasn't popular enough apparently. Japan is also a little bland but theres just so much variety. Its a gourmets delight. Even at just your local 7-11 you can get a meal of rice and fourteen odd side dishes for only 500 yen. Taiwan is the only place for vegetarians, theres a ton of vegetarian restaurants, you should never be far from half a dozen places. Fast food hamburger joints are very common in all three countries for your Western fix.
Job opportunities: Still reasonable to plentiful in most areas. Korea is generally the easiest place to get work despite there being lots of teachers looking in Korea. Their typical free airfare/accommodation deal for poor students looking to pay off their student loans is very popular. For each ad they might receive 30-50 resumes. Fortunately theres also lots of ads. Japan can be competitive, its very popular, the exotic east and all that, but theres still plenty of work if you have what it takes (young, personable, good looking). Taiwan has plenty despite all the importing of cheap South African labor although the big three, Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung are a bit overrun these days.
Environment: Asia is generally not known as the land of clean air! All three countries burn a lot of their rubbish to avoid taking up precious landfill space. Having said none of the major cities like Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo is much different from a major city in the States like LA or NY. See the FAQ for a graph comparing them. Taiwan does stand out in a one major respect and that is with their chronic littering (outside Taipei). Its not a pretty sight and this is a reason often sighted by those prefering Korea. Beautiful forested mountains which comprise some 70% of their land areas are usually never far away in these countries to escape away to if you want on the weekends.
Special contract extras: Korea wins hands down with their free airfare/ accommodation deal. Sure you can often get that in Taiwan in the countryside if you go over first and occasionally in Japan but its not the norm. Without this free set up and move deal all arranged from overseas usually via the internet a lot of their teachers wouldn't be there. Japan in contrast can have hugh set up costs although you can try and get your foot in the door cheaply through a company like NOVA (rather than arriving and beating the feet while haemorrhaging money in the most expensive country in the world).
Another plus with Korea is that even if you just have a BA, you can often work yourself into a sweet university position after a couple of years with long paid vacations if you have good contacts.
Taiwan is unique in often providing assistant teachers especially in the kindergartens. This can be a mixed blessing though and they are also known as "resistant" teachers. Why? Well they are meant to help you but usually they try to do as little as possible and are often engaged in backbiting (while smiling sweetly). How come? Unlike in Korea the Chinese teachers may not even have graduated from high school and may not get paid very much unlike the foreign teachers who may earn eight times as much as a part-timer. And then the foreign teacher, who's only their because the parents demand it, expects them to control the class for them. Naturally this can breed "a little" resentment.
Boozing or partying opportunities: Korea wins here. They're a nation of boozers, its reasonably priced and you can really go to town. The Japanese also drink a lot but its a touch expensive and forget about nightclubs. Taiwan has similar prices to Korea but traditionally they drink tea not alcohol. It (and Japan) just don't have the same crazy, party atmosphere that Korea has.
Bottom line: It depends on your preferences/situation. Theres a lot of factors. Korea draws a lot of first timers, poor, newly graduated students with their offer of free tickets over. Its good if you don't have many financial options, like to party, or your main priority is to save money over cultural experience (not many tourists in Korea).
The moneys not in Japan liked it used to be but it still lures those chasing the big money if you have good qualifications and its the only first world country of the three with clean streets, clean water etc. A wonderful experience.
Taiwan is an opportunity to live it up while still saving good money and not having to put up with the racism/xenophobia in Korea.
