"I Don't Even Want to Meet People" The 'Corona Generation' Giving Up on Human Relationships Along with Employment [Heo Midam's Youth Report]

20s and 30s Generation, 9 out of 10 Say "I am the Corona Generation"
Even as Office Workers, They Suffer from 'Job Insecurity'
Experts Say "Overcoming Helplessness is Important... Need to Create Hobby Activities"

Young people looking for jobs are receiving job counseling. Photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] [Editor's Note] How is your youth remembered? From teenagers to college students and office workers, we share the joys and sorrows unique to 'youth.'

"How can I apply when there are no jobs?", "I just want to be alone."

As the employment market freezes due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, the sighs of young people are growing deeper. They are either unable to take their first step into society due to worsening employment difficulties caused by COVID-19 or suffer from job insecurity even after getting employed. For the younger generation, COVID-19 has expanded beyond the risk of infection to include difficulties in finding jobs and emotional issues such as loss of confidence.

Recently, a new term "Corona Generation" has emerged to describe these young people. Following the 1970s-born generation who experienced employment difficulties during the 1997 International Monetary Fund (IMF) financial crisis, the 1990s-born generation is also facing employment hardships due to the impact of COVID-19. Experts express concern that as uncertainty about the future increases, young people may experience feelings of helplessness.

Most people in their 20s and 30s recently identified themselves as the "Corona Generation." According to a survey conducted by the job portal Incruit targeting 679 members of the 2030 generation, 95.5% of respondents answered that they consider themselves part of the "Corona Generation." The most common reason for this feeling was "Increased worries and stress about career paths and employment due to COVID-19 (26.5%)."

Following that were △ difficulties in finding jobs, part-time work, and living expenses (24.5%) △ facing COVID-19 at an important point in life (21.3%) △ lack of personal interactions (16.4%). Additionally, as the "Corona Generation," they reported having given up on △ employment (17.8%) △ human relationships (16.4%) △ saving money and funds (12.7%) △ future hopes and dreams (11.7%).

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Job seeker Kim (26) said, "It was already difficult to find a job before, but COVID-19 has made jobs even scarcer. These days, even finding part-time work is hard," adding, "My goal was to get a job in the second half of this year. However, not only are the jobs I want not appearing, but there are hardly any jobs at all, so my employment plans for this year have fallen through. My goal is to get a job next year, but I don't know if I can do well."

He continued, "I have applied to dozens of places but haven't been accepted anywhere. While others were having fun, I was preparing certifications and couldn't relax. But since no one is hiring, my confidence is gradually declining," he added.

This is also related to the employment downturn. According to the employment trend report released by Statistics Korea on the 11th of last month, the number of employed people in October decreased by 421,000 compared to the same month last year. This is the largest decline since April (-476,000).

Even those who succeed in getting a job feel anxious. As most companies have suffered sales losses due to COVID-19, office workers also feel fear of unemployment.

Kim (27), an office worker who got a job in the second half of last year, said, "Many people are on unpaid leave due to COVID-19, and many companies are downsizing. Where is the guarantee that my company won't be like that?" He added, "Since I am a contract worker, this employment downturn feels even scarier. I never thought I would live in such anxiety even after getting a job." he lamented.

Citizens are walking wearing masks at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Some have also complained that human relationships have become more distant after COVID-19. As meetings with acquaintances naturally decreased due to social distancing, they felt they had no one to rely on psychologically.

Yoon (28), a job seeker hoping to join a trading company, said, "It has been months since I last met acquaintances offline. Meeting only online makes me feel psychologically distant," adding, "I've been preparing for employment alone for months, and even when stress builds up, I can't relieve it by hanging out with friends, so it feels harder."

Experts suggest that it is important for young people to find their own ways to relieve stress to overcome feelings of helplessness.

Professor Kwak Geumju of the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University said, "Employment difficulties have been a problem in the past, but recently, due to COVID-19, young people have even lost opportunities to take exams, making the situation more serious. This has also increased uncertainty about the future," adding, "Even if they work hard to get a job, they may feel it was all in vain. These factors can cause young people to become lethargic."

She continued, "It is important to create a lifestyle that suits oneself, such as hobbies, to overcome helplessness," and added, "Exercising to maintain health, such as cycling or jogging, is one method, and listening to music or reading books that can give courage is another way to relieve stress."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.