A scene from the drama “The Dream Life of Mr. Kim.” (Courtesy of JTBC)
SEOUL, Nov. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — What once felt like the plot of a workplace drama is increasingly echoing real life for many middle-aged South Koreans. In the popular series The Dream Life of Mr.Kim (the story of manager Kim working at a large company in Seoul), a seemingly secure executive finds himself abruptly sidelined and pushed into early retirement — a scenario that has struck a nerve with viewers navigating their own anxieties about job stability.
The sense of unease is rooted in hard numbers. Even at South Korea’s top conglomerates, reaching the official retirement age is far from guaranteed. According to Statistics Korea, more than half of Koreans aged 55 to 59 had already left their “main job” — the job they held longest — as of last year. Many still have children in college, mortgages to pay, and decades of life ahead.
These pressures are driving a surge in mid-career and older adults seeking licenses and professional certifications, often as a hedge against an unexpected layoff. Public data from the Human Resources Development Service of Korea shows a sharp uptick in test-takers over 50; the number has nearly tripled in the past decade, rising from 153,493 in 2015 to more than 420,000 last year. Among those over 60, the increase is even more striking — nearly fivefold.
“In a 100-year life, people are preparing for a second act,” one official at the agency said, noting that longer life expectancy and a more uncertain job market are pushing many to expand their skills well past midlife.
Job seekers receive consultations at the “2025 Seoul 4050 Middle-Aged Job Fair.” (Yonhap)
Forklifts for Men, Cooking Certificates for Women
The most sought-after credentials reflect the realities of the labor market. Men over 50 overwhelmingly apply for forklift operation, electrical technician, and safety-related certifications — roles with steady demand in logistics, building management, and industrial sites. Women in the same age group gravitate toward cooking licenses, beauty certifications, and baking, areas where contract or part-time work is more accessible.
Pass rates for older applicants are also notably higher: more than 50 percent for those in their 50s and 60s — the only age groups to reach that threshold.
Real Estate Licenses Still a Favorite — Even in a Saturated Market
The real estate agent exam remains a top choice despite declining pass rates among older test-takers and a market already saturated with more than 550,000 licensed agents. Still, the share of examinees in their 50s and 60s continues to grow each year.
“Many see the realtor license as a better option than competing for jobs elsewhere,” an official from the Korea Association of Realtors noted. But success is far from assured: only about a quarter of exam takers in their 50s passed last year, and even fewer in their 60s.
The forklift operator license has become highly popular, as it offers significant bonus points for those applying to the Air Force. (Yonhap)
The Harsh Reality of Reemployment
Behind the surge in certifications lies a more sobering truth: middle-aged workers face long periods of unemployment and steep wage cuts if they reenter the workforce at all. Surveys show that job seekers in their 50s typically spend more than a year looking for work after leaving a job, while those in their 60s spend an average of 19 months searching. And when they find employment, it often pays significantly less than before.
A Seoul city report last year found that more than 60 percent of workers in their 50s saw their wages drop after switching jobs — reflecting a broader shift toward more precarious, lower-paid work for older adults.
A Certification as a Starting Point — Not a Guarantee
Still, for many, a credential offers a foothold. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, nearly half of unemployed certification-holders found jobs within a year, outperforming those without certifications by nearly eight percentage points.
“Middle-aged workers often need to pivot into entirely new fields,” one official said. “A national certification becomes a kind of entry ticket — a first step toward reentering the labor market.”
Some older adults pursue certifications even after finding new jobs, hoping to secure more stable roles or keep their current positions. Examination halls increasingly include examinees in their 70s, a sign of how deeply the pressure to remain employable now extends across age groups.
Government data indicates that certain certifications lead to faster employment for older workers, particularly in technical fields like refrigeration systems, energy management, forestry, elevator mechanics, and electrical work — areas with strong short-term hiring demand.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
