From Business Owner to Civil Service Exam Test-Taker: Thirtysomethings Flocking to Noryangjin

Seoul's Noryangjin, once bustling with countless civil service exam aspirants, grew quieter as the popularity of government jobs waned. However, test-takers are reportedly increasing in number there once again. In particular, the proportion of examinees in their thirties and older has grown. Ji-eun (a pseudonym), 33 years old this year, began preparing for the police civil service exam in 2023 after contemplating various career paths following college graduation. Although she has already faced setbacks in three exams, she passed the written test last August and is now awaiting the final hurdle: the interview. The reason Ji-eun chose a government career is to secure a stable job. Jun-ho (a pseudonym), in his late thirties, was until recently the owner of a small or medium-sized enterprise before stepping down after suffering from burnout. Afterwards, he submitted resumes to more than ten places, but finding employment was not easy, and he ultimately decided to challenge the Level 9 civil service exam. Having once walked different paths, these individuals are once again taking on the civil service exam challenge.

About a decade ago during lunchtime in Noryangjin, people formed long lines at cup-bap streets, and lines formed in front of academies before dawn to attend lectures by star instructors. However, as online lectures became widespread following COVID-19, the landscape of Noryangjin began to change. As students moved away from living in Noryangjin's gosiwon (budget-studying dormitories) and taking lectures in person, large-scale academies have also been downsizing. One exam aspirant in their late twenties also reportedly studied in Noryangjin for a month before leaving the area. This was because there were sufficient study materials available to study alone, and Noryangjin's unique atmosphere made them exhausted. Even so, many test-takers still seek out Noryangjin. In particular, "managed study rooms" reportedly always have dozens of people on waiting lists. Those who enroll must surrender their mobile phones and study for at least 55 hours a week, voluntarily choosing these restrictions to pass the exam.

Most of the test-takers in their thirties met by the reporting team had previously worked other jobs at least once. Above all, the reason they chose public service is "stability." One test-taker in their late thirties said they experienced layoffs at both regular companies they worked for, adding, "I don't want to experience that kind of instability and stress ever again." Fair opportunity is another reason. A 34-year-old test-taker who successfully passed the civil service exam this year said, "Graduates from regional universities have fewer opportunities to challenge large corporations," adding, "I am grateful for an exam that judges solely based on ability." Kim Sung-hee, director of the Labor and Employment Research Institute, noted that the increasingly delayed entry of young people into the labor market itself is a risk signal, stating, "We must not abandon young people in a game where only a minority pass and the majority are bound to fail."

In this week's <Newstory>, we meet thirtysomething test-takers challenging civil service exams once again and take a look around Noryangjin, known as the mecca of civil service examinations.

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