This post resonates deeply in South Korea's highly competitive society, where many feel immense pressure to constantly self-improve or earn more, often at the expense of personal time. It sparks a conversation about the sacrifices made for career advancement and financial stability.
A recent post on a popular Korean online forum has sparked a massive discussion about the intense 'hustle culture' prevalent in South Korea. The original poster meticulously calculated the daily schedule of someone juggling a full-time job with either a **투잡** (side hustle) or part-time **대학원** (graduate school), revealing a shockingly small amount of personal free time. With a typical 9-to-6 workday, a two-hour commute, eight hours of sleep, and basic personal care, the calculation leaves a mere 3.5 hours of 'free time' per day. This stark reality has left many netizens in awe of the dedication required for such a demanding lifestyle, while others question the sustainability of such an intense grind.
🇰🇷 KOREAN REACTIONS 6
I went from morning/afternoon university to an afternoon/night full-time job. After marriage, I juggled childcare + full-time university + housework. Then even went to grad school. Now I have two part-time jobs + personal career + auditing grad school classes + housework. I definitely bit off more than I could chew this year. Honestly, when I was raising kids, I felt like I'd go crazy if I didn't do something intellectual. Now that I'm working, I miss using my brain, so I asked a professor and got to audit classes. It's tough, and honestly, my husband is super understanding, which helps... But long-term, I think it's better for housewives with career breaks (경력단절 주부) to be independent and have interests outside the home. When I was just at home, I'd obsess over trivial word meanings with my husband all day... and get super irritable with the kids. Having outside interests is much better for your emotional well-being. I actually developed depression when I was just at home. Surprisingly, there are quite a few older people who just take general education classes at places like Korea National Open University (방통대) or cyber universities. I don't think being a housewife or office worker should stop you. Personally, I've only seen one or two friends out of ten who are truly suited to being a full-time housewife... In fact, even if you're 'just' a housewife, I think some self-development is necessary.
Okay, first, modern people don't sleep 8 hours. Second, most don't eat breakfast. Third, if you're doing a side hustle or grad school, your commute, dinner, and prep time kinda merge. It only seems like 3.5 hours because you're thinking about it that way.
I did that for about a year (for studies) too... After like 3 weeks, it just became a routine and I did it without even thinking. Humans are wild.
As I hit my mid-40s... if I lived like that, I think I'd just die. .... It's terrifying,.....
You can pull it off with sheer stamina until your early to mid-30s. After that, with a family and kids... it's impossible.
Seriously, their passion is incredible, whoa whoa whoa.