SK hynix Abolishes Academic and Age Limits for New Recruits, Drawing in Repeat Job Seekers

1472th In-Depth 60 Minutes>

N-th Attempt Society 2-part series - Job N-th Attempts, Hynix Exam, and Experienced Newcomers

'Medicine, Dentistry, Oriental Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine' and Semiconductors... Is job N-th attempt the norm? The scene of SK hynix's 'National Performance Bonus Audition'

Broadcast: Friday, September 11, 2026, at 10 PM on KBS 1TV

With news of performance bonuses reaching hundreds of millions of won, SK hynix has emerged as the hottest topic in the job market. A new term, "Hynix Exam," has even appeared, signifying that one must pass competition comparable to national exams. Young people are jumping back into the job market repeatedly to pass the SK hynix recruitment. These youths constantly challenge themselves to N-th attempts at employment to secure desired jobs. In-Depth 60 Minutes met them directly to investigate why they spend so much time and money on repeated job attempts and why they cannot leave the recruitment market.

SK hynix recruitment becomes a 'National Performance Bonus Audition'

The SK hynix new recruit information session, where only selected individuals were given the opportunity to attend. As SK hynix recently abolished academic and age limits in its recruitment process, interest from job seekers has increased even further. It has shaken the job market, even creating new terms like "Hynix Exam" and "National Performance Bonus Audition." In particular, the number of job seekers preparing to change jobs while already employed has increased. Officials reported a noticeable rise in inquiries regarding transferring to SK hynix, driven by its high performance bonuses and welfare benefits.

Ko Jin-ah (pseudonym), who attended the recruitment information session, is also preparing to join SK hynix. Although she currently works as a freelancer for an SK hynix partner company, "performance bonuses" are a story for someone else to her. Even though she works at the same site, treatment differs depending on affiliation. Ko said she intends to continue challenging herself to join SK hynix until her mid-30s for a better future.

"Some people buy cars with performance bonuses, and some buy apartments; that makes me feel a sense of social deprivation," Ko Jin-ah (pseudonym) / Freelancer at an SK hynix partner company

The influence of 'Hynix Exam' spreading from education to marriage

If students enter semiconductor contract departments at 10 universities nationwide, they can receive various benefits including guaranteed employment, full tuition support, overseas training, laptops, and living scholarships. The boom in the semiconductor industry has also affected the entrance exam market. In Daechi-dong entrance exam consulting academies, 'Semiconductor Premium Classes' have appeared, and expensive consulting products ranging from 3.5 million to 6 million won for 6 months have been released one after another.

The private education market did not stop at university entrance exams. Private educational institutions are promoting various 'process practice' programs through social media, claiming they help in joining semiconductor companies. As coding academies for children also gain popularity, the private education market is expanding into early education to prepare children with semiconductor and AI capabilities in advance.

"Terms like 'Medicine, Dentistry, Oriental Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine class' are being mentioned, and the thought 'Do we strictly have to go to medical school?' seems to be spreading," Choi Kang-min / CEO of a coding academy

Job N-th attempts caused by job polarization

Every year, 450,000 people graduate from university, but only 10% of them secure the jobs they want. As competition to break through the narrow door of employment intensifies, job N-th attempts have become a natural phenomenon. The reality is that even experienced workers currently employed are flocking to new recruit positions. In a society that prefers 'experienced newcomers' with prior experience, the timing of employment for entry-level workers is inevitably delayed.

"They have to fight twice. When a new employment crisis arises, there should be competition among those applying for new positions for the first time... but about 20,000 people retire, so the structure is that they have to compete once again with N-th attempt job seekers," Park Ju-geun / CEO of a corporate analysis research institute

Kang So-jung (pseudonym) witnessed experienced workers applying as 'experienced newcomers' at financial institutions. She obtained necessary qualifications such as a Korean History certification, bank teller license, and TOEIC, and gained two years of experience through contract work and internships. However, out of 16 companies she applied to, she did not pass even one. So-jung, who hopes for regular employment for marriage, childbirth, and childcare, emphasized that she has no choice but to continue N-th attempts to secure a high-quality job.

"The gap in working conditions between the high-quality jobs young people want—mainly large corporations or public institutions—and the relatively poor jobs at small and medium-sized enterprises is too large. ... Because the structure is such that which first job you get determines your entire life's career path, it is inevitable that young people choose to settle into a good job by any means," Kim Yu-bin / Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Labor Institute

Jeong Dong-hoon (pseudonym), a job N-th attempt seeker. He is a current employee at a public institution with 10 years of experience, but he is preparing to change jobs. Having prepared for employment for 8 years, he is still attempting to change jobs even at age 39. He said he did not know he would be preparing for employment for such a long time and expressed regret over his choice. He expressed anxiety, saying, 'It feels like if you fall behind once, you are left behind in this society.'

Young people who cannot leave the recruitment market to obtain good jobs. South Korea has become a 'delayed society' that prevents them from moving forward and keeps them staying in the same place. What is our society missing because of this? In-Depth 60 Minutes 1472th 'N-th Attempt Society' 2-part series - Part 2: Job N-th attempts, Hynix Exam, and Experienced Newcomers will be broadcast on Friday, September 11, at 10 PM on KBS 1TV.

(Photo provided = KBS 1TV 'In-Depth 60 Minutes')

◆ At a Glance

· Publishing Institution: KBS

· Category: In-Depth 60 Minutes

· Distribution: September 11, 10:24

Source: KBS Press Release

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