For some young Korean workers, leaving the office on time matters more than finishing every task, and avoiding the responsibilities of a permanent position can be more appealing than climbing the corporate ladder. These attitudes are emerging among members of Generation Z, who are challenging workplace expectations long shaped by loyalty, overtime and deference to senior colleagues. In a roundtable discussion organized by the Hankook Ilbo, young participants shared their views on work, career advancement and workplace relationships, revealing both generational differences and contradictions in their own approaches to professional life. Their experiences suggest that while younger employees increasingly demand clearer boundaries and more explicit instructions, they sometimes struggle to meet those same expectations when they become responsible for guiding others. Leaving work on time, even with tasks unfinished For Korea’s Generation X, now largely in their 50s, staying late at the office was once considered a badge of dedication. In her 2000 novel “A Very Old Joke,” acclaimed Korean author
‘I’d rather stay an intern’: Why some Gen Z workers in Korea are choosing less responsibility
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Latest News from Korea
- ‘I’d rather stay an intern’: Why some Gen Z workers in Korea are choosing less responsibility
For some young Korean workers, leaving the office on time matters more than finishing every task, and avoiding the responsibilities of a permanent position can be more appealing than climbing the corporate ladder. These attitudes are emerging among members of Generation Z, who are challenging workplace expectations long shaped by loyalty, overtime and deference to senior colleagues. In a roundtable… Read more: ‘I’d rather stay an intern’: Why some Gen Z workers in Korea are choosing less responsibility - Who is Colette Kress, Nvidia’s interim CEO?CHICAGO — With Jensen Huang’s resignation on Thursday, Nvidia is bringing longtime tech executive Colette Kress into the role of interim CEO. Kress first joined the California-based chipmaker back in 2013. She’s served as Nvidia’s executive vice president and CFO ever since — and will now be stepping into the top post amid the company’s most tumultuous chapter yet. Huang,… Read more: Who is Colette Kress, Nvidia’s interim CEO?
- Trump says ex Apple CEO Cook is ‘a legend,’ should replace Huang at NvidiaU.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that former Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook should replace Jensen Huang as the CEO of Nvidia. “NOW THAT Nvidia CEO JENSEN HUANG, who has done a fantastic job, has resigned, there is only one man to take his place – TIM COOK of Apple,” Trump said on social media. “A Legend replaces… Read more: Trump says ex Apple CEO Cook is ‘a legend,’ should replace Huang at Nvidia
- How a close friend of labor activist Jeon Tae-il keeps his legacy aliveChoi Jong-in, 78, still aches for his friend Jeon Tae-il, who was just 22. When Jeon set himself on fire in the middle of Pyeonghwa Market in Seoul’s Jung District on Nov. 13, 1970, Choi was the first to rush to his side, taking off his jacket to smother the flames. “His hair was burning and curling like nylon fabric,… Read more: How a close friend of labor activist Jeon Tae-il keeps his legacy alive
- Japanese Korean activist’s takedown of far right goes viral online with 10 million viewsIn a 1996 debate program on Japan’s Asahi TV, right-wing commentators mocked former Korean comfort women for demanding an apology, sneering, “Isn’t all they want compensation?” A woman in a red jacket calmly rebuked them: “That is an expression that insults human beings. Every person has dignity, and that is why their honor must also be restored.” Throughout the debate,… Read more: Japanese Korean activist’s takedown of far right goes viral online with 10 million views
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings CollectionPhoto Credits: CHROMOSOME LE’V Illuminates 2026 with “Spotlight Soul” LE’V enters 2026 with a statement that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. His Season’s Greetings “Spotlight Soul” concept photos reveal a striking evolution — one that merges emotional depth with artistic clarity. The project, released as a collector’s visual experience, celebrates not just another year but LE’V’s firm grasp on identity, craft,… Read more: LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings Collection
- KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty CodesPhoto Credits: SPUR Dior Starship Entertainment A New Year, A New Iconic Pairing SPUR Magazine opens 2026 with a collaboration that feels both intimate and electric. The January 2026 Issue Pictorial Preview showcases KiiiKiii Leesol and Haum in a visual dialogue infused with Dior Addict’s luminous rebellion. Titled “Light Moves: The Addict State of Mind”, the spread captures the interplay of motion, reflection, and self-definition—a signal… Read more: KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty Codes
- Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & IdentityPhoto Credits: Hi-Hat Entertainment The Convergence of Vision and Identity The January 2026 Pictorial from ifeye × KITTO Taiwan marks a defining moment in East Asian creative media. Framed as both a celebration and an evolution, the collaboration bridges art direction, fashion narrative, and technological fluidity to capture a new generation’s pulse. More than a photoshoot, this issue acts as a visual manifesto—an exploration of… Read more: Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & Identity
- Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover StoryPhoto Credits: KLAP ENTERTAINMENT Kep1er’s Xiaoting Captures the Moment Kep1er’s Shen Xiaoting steps into 2026 as a muse of modern elegance, fronting the January 2026 Wonderland China cover with an aura that’s both futuristic and fiercely grounded. As one of the brightest stars of her generation, Xiaoting embodies the balance between aspiration and artistry that defines global pop’s next chapter. “Confidence is not just… Read more: Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover Story
- BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional PrecisionPhoto Credits: GQ Korea – Cartier – BigHit Music. – BTS V x Cartier: The Sound of Stillness and Strength For GQ Korea’s February 2026 issue, the cover unfolds like a cinematic confession. BTS’s V (Kim Taehyung)—known for his magnetic duality of mystery and warmth—joins forces with Cartier, the house synonymous with precision, artistry, and legacy. Together, they create a visual symphony that celebrates… Read more: BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional Precision
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
