[2021 New Kkondae Report] Workplace 'Julkkaon' Rivaling 'Neulkkon'... Companies Now Holding a 'Kkontest'

<Top>A New Kkondae Has Appeared

Series of Complaints About 'Blind' Kkondae
71% of Office Workers Say "There Are Young Kkondae in the Workplace"
Vertical Culture Acceptance Leads to 'Reproduction of Kkondae'
"Lack of Respect and Reverence for People Is the Problem"

The term ‘kkondae,’ which symbolized the old-fashioned and uncommunicative older generation, has recently been increasing even among the 2030 generation. While it used to appear in hierarchical relationships within families, organizations, and society, new types of kkondae are emerging among the younger 2030 generation, among peers such as friends and colleagues, and in the online world of the non-face-to-face era. While some people reject being called kkondae, others even define themselves as kkondae, saying they will ‘shut up and live as a kkondae’ or ‘live as a different kind of kkondae’ than before. This article sheds light on the ‘new kkondae phenomenon’ occurring in our daily lives and explores ways to restore communication.

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Gwan-ju, Ryu Tae-min, Song Seung-seop] Exactly two years ago, in January 2019, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won met with employees to celebrate the New Year. When asked by an employee about his ‘work-life balance score,’ Chairman Chey paused briefly and answered, "It’s a fail. About 60 points? But just because I am like that doesn’t mean I want you all to work that way. If I said that, I’d be a kkondae." This was probably the first time the word ‘kkondae’ was reported coming from the mouth of a major conglomerate chairman. Since then, the group has taken the lead in promoting work-life balance, with major affiliates being selected as great workplaces. They also replaced executive ranks with job titles, and some affiliates introduced a single rank system with no promotions, creating a horizontal organizational culture.

Did companies think that kkondae within organizations hinder progress? Various articles on the theme of kkondae are posted in company newsletters. These include confessions of being a kkondae themselves, called ‘kkondae confessions,’ and checklists to help individuals determine if they are kkondae. They also discuss the critical differences between mentors and kkondae, encouraging the creation of a healthy corporate culture.

However, malicious kkondae still abound in workplaces. On ‘Blind,’ an anonymous platform where office workers share various stories and grievances, posts about concerns regarding workplace kkondae appear almost daily. Users share ‘kkondae speech patterns,’ typically starting with phrases like ‘I’m saying this for your own good,’ and discuss ways to deal with kkondae, such as ‘How can I let a kkondae know they are a kkondae?’ Among these, the most feared are ‘young kkondae’ (yeolkkon). A new term ‘kkonmangju’ (kkondae + promising star), referring to those on the verge of becoming young kkondae, has also emerged. According to a survey conducted last year by the job matching platform Saramin with 979 office workers, 71% answered that ‘there are young kkondae in the workplace.’

Young kkondae, who inevitably overlap in the same environment, cause the greatest hardship for newcomers to society. Consider the case of office worker Kim Hai (28, pseudonym). Kim was ordered by a direct senior, who was only a few years older, to come to work early and clean the desks of senior employees. The senior pressured Kim by saying, "I used to clean the manager’s desk too. I’m not saying you have to do that, but wouldn’t that be better?" Feeling burdened, Kim had no choice but to clean the desks.

Workplace kkondae typically maintain an attitude of ‘dapjeongneo’ (the answer is already decided, so you just answer). They believe their experience is always right and try to teach others, intervening and interfering even without being asked. If instructions are not followed, they scold harshly with remarks like, "Are you rebelling now?" making it difficult to raise issues. Paradoxically, young workers tormented by kkondae witness themselves becoming kkondae. Confessions from young office workers reflect this: "I felt like a kkondae when I found myself bothered by passive juniors (29, office worker)" and "Sometimes I get annoyed and sigh at the individualistic behavior of new employees (30, office worker)." This leads to adaptation or conformity to organizational culture and the so-called ‘reproduction of kkondae.’

Experts point out that the background of kkondae’s emergence lies in vertical and organizational group cultures, which are most easily manifested in workplaces. Professor Heo Chang-deok of Yeungnam University’s Department of Sociology said, "There is a culture that emphasizes authority, where people with status think they can treat those without status carelessly," and criticized, "The problem is the lack of respect and reverence for human beings, regardless of age or money."