"At 21, Hynix; at 27, a home in Seoul": The dazzling counterattack of vocational high schools [Young Kkuk is on the Clock] [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The program "Young Kkuk is on the Clock" focused on the changing criteria for success by highlighting the employment stories of young people from vocational high schools who secured positions at their "dream jobs" through practical skills rather than academic credentials.

Part 1 of SBS's "Rewriting the Equation of Success - Young Kkuk is on the Clock," broadcast on the 18th, diagnosed the massive era-defining trends facing South Korea in 2026. The arrival of the AI era and record-high performance by semiconductor companies, along with news of unprecedented performance bonuses, triggered seismic shifts in the education sector and job market. In particular, a remark that erupted from the field—"I'm in Hynix's production division, but life is sweet"—shook to its core the formula of "success = academic pedigree" that has long dominated South Korean society. Lee Mi-ju reacted candidly, saying, "I don't usually envy others, but if it were a performance bonus worth hundreds of millions of won, life would truly be sweet." The trend toward change became even more distinct amid the reality that 3 to 4 out of 10 people become unemployed despite graduating from good universities, and news that SK Hynix has abolished academic requirements for recruitment. An employment expert named this phenomenon "the end of brand names accelerated by AI."

As practical skills and expertise are gaining attention over academic pedigree, the broadcast revealed stories of young people who reached their dream jobs using vocational high schools as a stepping stone. First, a 21-year-old youth appeared who graduated from a Meister High School, worked at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and then transferred to SK Hynix. Having closely watched issues regarding employment difficulties for university graduates during his middle school years, he chose to attend a Meister High School to acquire his own unique skills. He stated that he received an annual salary of 70 to 80 million won at KAI, his first job, and that the skills and experience accumulated during high school served as a strong foundation for his transfer to SK Hynix. Seeing this, Lee Sang-yeop exclaimed, "Choosing that school was a masterstroke."

The performance of a 27-year-old Toss developer from a Meister High School, who leads developers from prestigious universities, also drew attention. He aspired to be a hacker after watching the SBS drama "Ghost" and enrolled in a Meister High School; the skills and project experience he acquired during his studies became a solid weapon for getting into his desired job. A colleague from S University who works with him shared, "I felt that Meister High Schools are amazing places," after seeing how easily the developer solved difficult code that he had been struggling with. Additionally, Moon Se-yoon expressed surprise at the daily life of a youth preparing to buy a home in Seoul following his marriage, saying, "It feels like he is 15 to 20 years ahead of his peers."

The story of a youth who secured admission to Hyundai Motor in his third year of high school and joined the company after completing military service was also revealed. He explained that he had liked handling machinery directly since childhood, so he chose a Meister High School over a general academic track. Maintaining the top rank in his school for three consecutive years, obtaining 20 certifications, and even receiving the Korea Human Resources Award, he was called a legend of the school. Impressed by his brilliant resume, Lee Mi-ju quipped, "Are only legends appearing today?" In response to his ambition to study machinery and electronics more deeply, So Seul-ji introduced the "employment first, education later" system, noting, "Attending a vocational high school does not mean you do not go to university," explaining that one can continue learning even after employment.

Along with this, stories of young people who found necessary studies and enrolled in universities after getting jobs followed. A young farmer who had been running an apple farm after graduating from a specialized high school enrolled in university at the age of 25 last year to directly solve the difficulties he faced while farming. Currently, while studying plant medicine at university, he is operating an orchard of over 10,000 pyeong (approximately 33,000 square meters) with his parents, recording annual sales of 400 to 500 million won. Lee Mi-ju shared her sincere thoughts, saying, "Today's video seems to make me reflect on myself," as she watched him build his own competitiveness by adding professional knowledge to his field experience.

A Samsung Electronics engineer who is a gold medalist from the WorldSkills Competition demonstrated an exemplary attitude for juniors. Having visited his alma mater once or twice a month for over 10 years after graduation to mentor juniors, he received praise from one junior, calling him "a Son Heung-min figure in football." In particular, he actively utilized the "employment first, education later" system to obtain a degree in English Literature and is currently devoted to studying Chinese. Moon Se-yoon marveled at the story that he possesses such foreign language proficiency that he guides production line tours for overseas buyers or VIP visits, saying, "We are truly learning a lot today as well."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original