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Top-down Asian aggressive culture

Staff Level Engineer
Former Employee
Worked at Coupang for 6 years
April 12, 2024
Seoul, South Korea
1.0
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookDoesn't Approve of CEO
Pros

If you're not aiming for advancement, you can take it easy and still earn a paycheck.

Cons

Here are a handful of reasons why I wouldn't suggest it:

  1. Communication breakdowns between C-Level executives and senior/middle managers are evident. Project plans are dictated from the top down without much input or communication, resulting in overly ambitious timelines that require cutting corners to meet deadlines.

  2. Annual performance reviews seem to be skewed by favoritism from C-Level executives. Those who curry favor with them receive top-tier ratings, while those who aren't favored by managers are sidelined during quarterly reviews and receive minimal recognition during the annual review process.

  3. Relocating to Seoul may not be advisable. While you may receive attractive expatriate benefits, you'll be subjected to the demanding Korean working culture and compensated at a level more aligned with Korean standards rather than those of the US or your home country. Given that Korean salary standards are typically lower than those in the US, opportunities for significant salary advancement may be limited.

  4. Significant communication barriers exist due to the multitude of spoken languages. This often results in misunderstandings and important details getting lost in translation.

Additional Ratings

Work/Life Balance
1.0
Culture and Values
2.0
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
2.0
Career Opportunities
1.0
Compensation and Benefits
2.0
Senior Management
1.0

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