After months of unanswered applications, Shua Kang finally found work — not at a Silicon Valley startup, but at a Korean company in Los Angeles. And she’s far from alone.

Kang is part of a growing trend. As the U.S. job market continues to stagnate, more second-generation Korean Americans are turning to Korean companies in search of employment. While their bilingual skills and cultural background often give them a competitive edge in the hiring process, many report difficulties adjusting to the distinct organizational culture and workplace norms of Korean firms.

“Landing a job feels nearly impossible,” said Shua Kang, a recent UC Irvine graduate now working at a Korean company in Los Angeles. “Almost none of my friends have found stable positions after graduation.”

The Economist recently reported that, for the first time in U.S. history, the unemployment rate for college graduates aged 22 to 27 has surpassed the national average. With the labor market frozen since 2023, many companies remain hesitant to hire, and AI continues to replace entry-level roles, deepening the crisis for young job seekers.

However, Korean companies appear to be bucking the trend, at least partially. According to Job Korea USA, one of the largest Korean-American employment platforms, Korean companies posted 588 job openings in the first half of 2025, a 35% increase from 435 during the same period last year. These companies have increasingly become a fallback option for 1.5- and second-generation Korean Americans struggling to break into the mainstream job market.

For many, being bilingual and culturally fluent in Korean makes them attractive candidates. Ms. A, a Korean American employee at a small Korean firm in Los Angeles, noted, “Korean companies prefer bilingual Korean Americans. The hiring process is easier compared to American companies, but the workload is definitely heavier.”

She described being surprised by the hierarchical structure, where junior employees are expected to defer to seniors on all decisions, the multitasking expectations, and longer hours than she was used to at American firms. Unlike many American workplaces, Korean companies often rely on a strict seniority system, where decisions flow top-down and junior staff must often work overtime to meet expectations. “At American companies, I could focus on one main responsibility,” she said. “Here, one person is often expected to juggle multiple roles and follow a senior’s guidance closely, sometimes working late nights to meet their expectations.”

Ms. B, who has worked at a Korean company for four years, echoed the sentiment. “The workload and level of responsibility far exceed the compensation,” she said. “I originally joined through my mother’s connection, but now I’m actively considering moving to an American company.”

Even amid a difficult job market, some Korean Americans hesitate to pursue jobs at Korean firms. Lee Hwan, a second-generation Korean American, recalled applying to Korean companies after graduation but ultimately choosing an American employer. “I knew about the strict hierarchy and demanding work culture, so I hesitated,” she said. “If I had a choice, I wouldn’t go with a Korean company.”

Many of her peers, she added, feel the same. “We want to avoid the rigid culture, even if it means waiting longer to find a job.”

Still, some are trying to adapt. Kang, the UCI graduate, said the seniority-based culture was daunting at first. “I felt out of place in the beginning, but I’m trying to adjust and learn as I go.”

Kang also works part-time as a Korean-English interpreter at K-pop concerts in the U.S. and noted a growing interest in Korean entertainment companies among American applicants, fueled by the global popularity of K-culture.

“The Korean Wave is opening new doors,” she said. “But for second-generation Korean Americans, that doesn’t erase the cultural barriers we still face in the workplace.”

As more young Korean Americans look beyond borders for opportunity, the question remains: how much of their cultural comfort and work-life balance are they willing to sacrifice?

By Chase Karng