23-year-old Park Woo-joo is exploring potential career paths at a kids’ role-playing theme park in Seoul. Despite having a degree in business administration, he has struggled to find a job that interests him. In a unique twist, KidZania South Korea is now offering adults-only events to help young unemployed individuals like Park discover their true calling.
With South Korea facing high youth unemployment rates due to a mismatch between education and the job market, events like “Kids-ania” offer a fun and educational way for individuals to explore different career options. By participating in various role-playing activities, attendees like Park hope to have a breakthrough moment and find direction in their professional lives.
These adult events, initiated by Kang Jae-hyung, the president of KidZania South Korea, aim to reconnect young adults with their childhood aspirations and remind them not to take life too seriously. As attendees like Lee Soo-min, a university student, engage in activities like being a DJ, they reflect on their experiences and begin to take their future more seriously.
Despite facing labor shortages and a declining population, South Korea continues to grapple with high youth unemployment rates. Many young individuals are hesitant to pursue jobs they deem unpopular or beneath them, leading to a disconnect between job aspirations and market realities. To address these issues, experts suggest creating more quality jobs, especially within small and medium-sized enterprises.
For Kang, the key to overcoming job market challenges lies in letting go of fears and embracing one’s true passions. By encouraging individuals to pursue what they truly enjoy, he believes that young people can find fulfillment and success in their careers.
