About

Everyday Korean life, worked out with real numbers.

Who runs this site

Hi — I'm Jay, and I run Everyday Lab (일상연구소) on my own.

How much severance am I actually owed? What did I miss on my year-end tax settlement? What does a jeonse deposit become as monthly rent? Every time I searched, I got a different answer — some sites were still quoting tax rates from years ago, others never showed their math. So I started working the numbers out myself and publishing the calculators. Everyday Lab now has 27 calculators alongside articles on tax, money, health and daily life in Korea.

If you're a foreign resident in Korea or a Korean living abroad, this site is written with you in mind: the rules are explained from scratch, with the year they apply to stated up front.

How these pages are made

• Numbers come from primary sources. Tax rates and deduction limits from the National Tax Service, pensions from the National Pension Service, health information from the KDCA and the Ministry of Health and Welfare — always with the year they apply to.
• Calculators are checked by hand. I run several real cases through each one and verify the output before publishing.
• AI tools help with first drafts. Every figure and factual claim is verified by a person before publication. Anything I cannot verify does not go up.
• Corrections are welcome. Email me and I'll check it, fix the article, and note the date it was revised.

What we cover

• Health — everyday symptoms and checkups, explained with evidence
• Taxes — Korean tax rules made readable
• Calculators — salary, severance, part-time pay and 24 more
• Pension / Real estate / Money — the numbers behind living in Korea
• Life Tips — practical everyday know-how

What this is not

Everything here is general information. It does not replace advice from a tax accountant, a lawyer, or a doctor. For decisions involving large sums or your health, please consult a professional.

Contact

I usually reply within two or three days.