[Side B] 3 Years After Leaving School, "Shall We Pave Our Own Way?" - Dayeon & Jiwon

A Proud Minority, A Better Non-Mainstream World

Interview with Youth Kim Dayeon and Yang Jiwon

Active in a Club at Gwangju Youth Life Design Center

At the Gwangju Youth Life Design Center, out-of-school youths gathered to form clubs. In the club 'Chageun Chageun Meeting,' which engages in various activities, Dayeon is called 'Songhyeon' and Ji-won is called 'Hosoo.' (Provided by Dayeon Kim)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Not all adolescents can be categorized by grade level. Some youths naturally do not have a grade level because they do not attend school. According to the Ministry of Education, as of April this year, the number of students who have dropped out is 18,366 in elementary school, 10,001 in middle school, and 23,894 in high school. This number has been gradually increasing every year.

The reasons why adolescents stop attending school are diverse. According to the 2018 Survey on Out-of-School Youth, 23.4% stop attending because they want to learn what they desire elsewhere, 17.8% due to psychological or mental health issues, 15.5% to prepare for the GED exam, and 15.3% to develop their special skills. As the reasons for quitting vary, out-of-school youths lead diverse lives.

Out-of-school youths have many decisions to make on their own instead of attending school. Sometimes it can be frightening and overwhelming. However, they spend a lot of time reflecting on themselves and gradually work through their daily lives. We met 19-year-olds Kim Da-yeon and Yang Ji-won, who are active in the club 'Chageun Chageun Moim' formed by out-of-school youths. Both live in Gwangju, so the interview was conducted via the video chat platform Zoom.

▲ How has daily life changed in the COVID-19 era?

Kim Da-yeon (hereafter Kim)= I thought I wasn’t greatly affected, but not being able to meet or talk with people was more frustrating than I expected. However, there are classes, meetings, and clubs held online. The acapella club I run, called 'Repi Club,' tried a new method where each person listens to tracks, practices, sends recording files, and completes songs. Fortunately, I think I was able to avoid becoming more lethargic. I was able to practice spending time at home. Now I think I have a better idea of how to enjoy my time.

Yang Ji-won (hereafter Yang)= I spend more time alone now, and I’ve been thinking more about how to enjoy myself alone.

▲ Why did you stop attending school?

Kim= From the time I entered school, I thought that if it didn’t fit me or if I wanted to learn something else, I would quit. After entering a general high school, that feeling grew stronger. I felt like I was living like a dead person for three years just for college, so I deeply reflected on the reasons and motivations for going to college, but I thought it might be a waste of time. If there had been studies I wanted to do or people I wanted to meet, I would have enjoyed school even if it was school. But school didn’t have that meaning. I felt the studies were more about what was needed to get into college rather than what I wanted to study, and although I tried to find meaning and motivation, it gradually faded and eventually disappeared. I wanted to find something fun and do it.

Yang= I had severe depression. It was hard to keep going to school in that health condition. I stayed at home doing nothing, feeling that way. It wasn’t because I hated school, but I became lethargic and found it hard to leave the house. I spent almost every day in bed. I had many negative thoughts. After leaving school, I went to a hospital, received professional counseling, took medication, and now my symptoms have improved a lot.

Dayeon and Jiwon are participating in club activities. (Provided by Dayeon Kim)

▲ What does a typical day look like when you don’t go to school?

Kim= Every day is different, but I have been working the same part-time job for three years, so I work three times a week. On other days, I attend youth humanities classes or prepare for classes. I spend my time doing programs I am currently involved in.

Yang= I work part-time about three times a week and go out when I have appointments. If I participate in a project-based program, I focus only on that, so each day is different.

▲ What is the hardest part about quitting school?

Yang= There is anxiety about having to carve my own path. There are hardly any well-known precedents or guidelines, so it feels vague.

Kim= Things didn’t go as I had imagined after quitting school. I spent a lot of time alone at home. At first, being alone for such a long time was difficult. During those long hours alone, I thought a lot about what to do, and since I didn’t have assigned tasks, I didn’t know what to do. I tried to overcome lethargy.

Anxiety about having to carve my own path
Not seriously considering college
Even if things don’t go as imagined
Learning independently by finding areas of interest

▲ Did you face any concerned or critical views from others?

Yang= I took a taxi in the morning, and the driver asked if it wasn’t time to go to school. I didn’t want to lie. (When I said I had dropped out) we had a long conversation. Actually, my parents scolded me the most when I dropped out, but I don’t remember hearing much from others.

Kim= I thought I would hear a lot of comments from people about not going to school, but there weren’t as many as I expected. Rather, people encouraged me. Now that I’m 19, I hear a lot of questions about whether I plan to go to college.

▲ What are the benefits of not attending school?

Yang= I think the biggest benefit is that the burden has disappeared. I don’t have to attend every day or follow a strict schedule. I was able to break free from being constrained.

Kim= I feel the same. It was frustrating before, but being able to spend my time doing what I want when I want is really good.

Dayeon and Jiwon are photographing stickers and other goods made by their club. (Provided by Dayeon Kim)

▲ Since college was mentioned, what are your thoughts on going to college?

Yang= There are things I want to learn, so it would be good to go, but I don’t want to prepare hard for it yet. Rather than wanting to go to college, for example, I want to learn photography. I want to develop skills more.

Kim= I want to study more, but I don’t want to experience entrance exams. I quit school because I didn’t find meaning in college. I heard there are alternative colleges in Seoul, and I’m considering those. I’m also thinking about cyber universities.

▲ What kind of institutional support do you think is needed?

Yang= I hope there is support that allows diverse experiences in one’s areas of interest. Also, financial support. Even if it’s not for employment, I hope there are opportunities to help people discover what they want to do.

Kim= Most programs at centers are for out-of-school youths preparing for college entrance exams. I think that is necessary, but there are youths who do not want to go to college, those preparing for employment, and others with different plans. I think various supports tailored to these diverse needs are necessary.

▲ What motivates you both to stay active?

Yang= I participated in a project at a printing shop where we read books and drew book reviews as pictures. The book is about to be published, so I’m waiting for it. I’m planning a photo project with a friend where my friend will be the model, and I will take photos based on ideas I want to capture. I’m looking forward to it.

Kim= Recently, I’ve been busy trying various things, and I find it quite fun. I’m thinking of just doing my current work diligently. I recently took an independent publishing class at an independent bookstore. So, I’m preparing to publish a book this year. My grandmother writes, and we are planning content that features both of us.