Learn Korean Online: The N-Jobber Trend, What is 'N잡러' | Korean Learning Materials

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The Rise of the N-Jobber: Why Young Koreans Have Multiple Careers

If you ask a young Korean professional what they do for a living, you might get more than one answer. Welcome to the era of the 'N-jobber' (N잡러), a growing trend where people pursue multiple careers simultaneously.

Gone are the days of the 'lifetime job.' Today's MZ generation is taking on side hustles like delivering food for Coupang, writing blogs, running YouTube channels, or crafting props. While earning extra income is a factor, many N-jobbers do it for self-realization and to discover hidden talents.

How do Koreans talk about balancing multiple jobs and pursuing their passions? In today's premium interactive lesson, we will explore the vocabulary and grammar used to describe multitasking, possibilities, and adding information.

Click the play buttons in the interactive module below to listen to the native pronunciation and practice reading out loud! 

(The full transcript, vocabulary list, and discussion questions are provided at the bottom of the page.)

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Beyond the 9 to 5, The 'N-jobber' trend shows that careers are no longer just about making a living; they are about designing your own life and exploring your full potential.

Using grammar like -(으)면서 (while) and -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라 (not only... but also), you can describe these multifaceted lifestyles naturally.

If you found today's Korean lesson helpful and want to practice speaking these exact sentences without the fear of making mistakes, join my 1:1 conversation classes. Let's find your unique voice in Korean together!

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Full Lesson Transcript, Vocabulary, Grammar & Discussion (Free Study Materials)

Korean News Transcript: The N-Jobber Trend

요즘 한국에서는 본업 외에 여러 직업을 가진 'N잡러'가 늘고 있습니다.

[Yo-jeum han-gu-ge-seo-neun bo-neop oe-e yeo-reo ji-geo-beul ga-jin 'en-jam-neo'ga neul-go it-sseum-ni-da.]

Recently in Korea, 'N-jobbers' who have multiple jobs besides their main job are increasing.

평생직장의 개념이 사라지면서 나타난 새로운 사회 현상입니다.

[Pyeong-saeng-jik-jang-e gae-nyeo-mi sa-ra-ji-myeon-seo na-ta-nan sae-ro-un sa-hoe hyeon-sang-im-ni-da.]

It is a new social phenomenon that appeared as the concept of a lifetime job disappeared.

사람들은 퇴근 후에 대리 운전, 음식 배달, 쿠팡 배달을 하거나 소품을 제작하며 돈을 법니다.

[Sa-ram-deu-reun toe-geun hu-e dae-ri un-jeon, eum-sik bae-dal, ku-pang bae-da-reul ha-geo-na so-pu-meul je-ja-ka-myeo do-neul beom-ni-da.]

People earn money by doing designated driving, food delivery, Coupang delivery, or making crafts after leaving work.

스마트폰 앱을 통해 누구나 쉽게 부업을 시작할 수 있기 때문입니다.

[Seu-ma-teu-pon ae-beul tong-hae nu-gu-na swip-ge bu-eo-beul si-ja-kal ssu it-kki ttae-mu-nim-ni-da.]

It is because anyone can easily start a side job through smartphone apps.

블로그를 쓰거나 유튜브 영상을 만들어서 수익을 내는 청년들도 많습니다.

[Beul-lo-geu-reul sseu-geo-na yu-tyu-beu yeong-sang-eul man-deu-reo-seo su-i-geul nae-neun cheong-nyeon-deul-do man-sseum-ni-da.]

There are also many young people who generate profit by writing blogs or making YouTube videos.

이들은 단순히 돈을 벌기 위해서만 여러 가지 일을 하는 것이 아닙니다.

[I-deu-reun dan-sun-hi do-neul beol-gi wi-hae-seo-man yeo-reo ga-ji i-reul ha-neun geo-si a-nim-ni-da.]

They do not do various jobs simply just to make money.

자신이 좋아하는 취미나 재능을 살려 새로운 자아를 발견하려고 노력합니다.

[Ja-si-ni jo-a-ha-neun chwi-mi-na jae-neung-eul sal-lyeo sae-ro-un ja-a-reul bal-gyeon-ha-ryeo-go no-ryeo-kam-ni-da.]

They make an effort to discover a new self by utilizing their favorite hobbies or talents.

하지만 쉬는 시간 없이 계속 일만 하면 건강이 나빠질 수도 있어요.

[Ha-ji-man swi-neun si-gan eop-ssi gye-sok il-man ha-myeon geon-gang-i na-ppa-jil ssu-do i-sseo-yo.]

However, if you just keep working without resting time, your health might get worse.

그래서 본업과 부업 사이의 적절한 균형을 유지하는 것이 매우 중요합니다.

[Geu-rae-seo bo-neop-gwa bu-eop sa-i-e jeok-jeo-ran gyun-hyeong-eul yu-ji-ha-neun geo-si mae-u jung-yo-ham-ni-da.]

Therefore, maintaining a proper balance between the main job and side jobs is very important.

여러분도 숨겨진 재능을 활용해 새로운 사이드 프로젝트에 도전해 보는 건 어떨까요?

[Yeo-reo-bun-do sum-gyeo-jin jae-neung-eul hwal-yong-hae sae-ro-un sa-i-deu peu-ro-jek-teu-e do-jeon-hae bo-neun geon eo-tteol-kka-yo?]

How about you also challenge a new side project utilizing your hidden talents?

Essential Vocabulary

• 직업 [ji-geop] : Job

• 밤 [bam] : Night

• 돈 [don] : Money

• 벌다 [beol-da] : To earn

• 쉬다 [swi-da] : To rest

• 건강 [geon-gang] : Health

• 본업 [bo-neop] : Main job

• 부업 [bu-eop] : Side job

• 퇴근 [toe-geun] : Leaving work

• 배달 [bae-dal] : Delivery

• 청년 [cheong-nyeon] : Young people

• 단순히 [dan-sun-hi] : Simply

• 재능 [jae-neung] : Talent

• 발견하다 [bal-gyeon-ha-da] : To discover

• 노력하다 [no-ryeo-ka-da] : To try / make effort

• 계속 [gye-sok] : Continuously

• 도전하다 [do-jeon-ha-da] : To challenge

• 평생직장 [pyeong-saeng-jik-jang] : Lifetime job

• 개념 [gae-nyeom] : Concept

• 현상 [hyeon-sang] : Phenomenon

• 대리 운전 [dae-ri un-jeon] : Designated driving

• 수익 [su-ik] : Profit/Income

• 자아 [ja-a] : Self/Ego

• 균형 [gyun-hyeong] : Balance

• 유지하다 [yu-ji-ha-da] : To maintain

• 숨겨진 [sum-gyeo-jin] : Hidden

• 활용하다 [hwal-yong-ha-da] : To utilize

Key Grammar Points

• Noun + (이)나 / Verb + 거나 (Or)

[Noun] 수박이나 사과 / 커피나 차

[Verb] 쓰거나 만들다

블로그를 쓰거나 유튜브 영상을 만들어요.

[Beul-lo-geu-reul sseu-geo-na yu-tyu-beu yeong-sang-eul man-deu-reo-yo.]

I write blogs or make YouTube videos.

• Verb/Adjective + -(으)면서 (While doing / At the same time)

[Verb] 먹다 -> 먹으면서 / 하다 -> 하면서

본업을 하면서 부업도 합니다.

[Bo-neo-beul ha-myeon-seo bu-eop-do ham-ni-da.]

I do a side job while doing my main job.

• Verb/Adjective + -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라 (Not only... but also)

[Verb/Adj] 좋다 -> 좋을 뿐만 아니라 / 하다 -> 할 뿐만 아니라

[Noun] 학생 -> 학생일 뿐만 아니라

돈을 벌 뿐만 아니라 자아실현도 합니다.

[Do-neul beol ppun-man a-ni-ra ja-a-sil-hyeon-do ham-ni-da.]

They not only make money, but also achieve self-realization.

Free Talking & Discussion Questions

여러분의 나라에서도 여러 직업을 가지는 것이 유행인가요?

[Yeo-reo-bu-ne na-ra-e-seo-do yeo-reo ji-geo-beul ga-ji-neun geo-si yu-haeng-in-ga-yo?]

Is it also a trend to have multiple jobs in your country?

평생직장이라는 개념이 아직도 남아있다고 생각하세요?

[Pyeong-saeng-jik-jang-i-ra-neun gae-nyeo-mi a-jik-tto na-ma-it-tta-go saeng-ga-ka-se-yo?]

Do you think the concept of a lifetime job still remains?

만약 부업을 한다면 어떤 일을 해보고 싶나요?

[Ma-nyak bu-eo-beul han-da-myeon eo-tteon i-reul hae-bo-go sim-na-yo?]

If you were to do a side job, what kind of work would you like to try?

취미를 직업으로 만드는 것에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?

[Chwi-mi-reul ji-geo-beu-ro man-deu-neun geo-se dae-hae eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-ka-se-yo?]

What do you think about turning a hobby into a job?

본업과 부업의 균형을 유지하는 방법이 있을까요?

[Bo-neop-gwa bu-eop-e gyun-hyeong-eul yu-ji-ha-neun bang-beo-bi i-sseul-kka-yo?]

Is there a way to maintain a balance between a main job and a side job?

돈을 버는 것 외에 직업이 가지는 중요한 의미는 무엇일까요?

[Do-neul beol-neun geot oe-e ji-geo-bi ga-ji-neun jung-yo-han ui-mi-neun mu-eo-sil-kka-yo?]

Besides earning money, what is an important meaning that a job has?

여러분이 가진 숨겨진 재능은 무엇인가요?

[Yeo-reo-bu-ni ga-jin sum-gyeo-jin jae-neung-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?]

What is your hidden talent?

퇴근 후에 유튜브 영상이나 블로그를 만들어 본 적이 있나요?

[Toe-geun hu-e yu-tyu-beu yeong-sang-i-na beul-lo-geu-reul man-deu-reo bon jeo-gi in-na-yo?]

Have you ever tried making a YouTube video or blog after work?

여러 가지 일을 동시에 하면서 스트레스를 받을 때는 어떻게 하나요?

[Yeo-reo ga-ji i-reul dong-si-e ha-myeon-seo seu-teu-re-seu-reul ba-deul ttae-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?]

What do you do when you get stressed while doing multiple things at the same time?

N잡러가 되기 위해 가장 필요한 능력은 무엇이라고 생각하나요?

[En-jam-neo-ga doe-gi wi-hae ga-jang pi-ryo-han neung-nyeok-eun mu-eo-si-ra-go saeng-ga-ka-na-yo?]

What do you think is the most necessary ability to become an N-jobber?