Rooted in Hope: Gwangju Youth Find a Breakthrough in the Forest

Written by Cho Namhee

With record low unemployment rates and higher requirements for job applications, more and more Korean youth are being pushed to the edge of a precipice. Thus, many youths are forced to make extreme decisions for themselves, by giving up.

Korean adults in their 20s and 30s refer to their generation as generation “n-Po“ (the initial letters of the Korean word “pogi,” which means to give up). These pessimistic youth are not only giving up on their hopes and dreams but they are also sacrificing life milestones by not marrying, buying a house nor developing interpersonal relationships.

According to a survey conducted by Saramin, a job recruitment website, 69 percent of 1,675 respondents in their 20s and 30s think they belong to the n-Po generation. Due to the dramatic success of the previous generation, the standard norm puts today’s youth under pressure to live a “successful” life financially. With so much discouraging news in the media, is there any hope left for young Koreans?

Gwangju youth center, The Forest, was established this June to kindle the lost passion of local youth. Ilgwon Seo, the center’s director, has been agonizing over Korean youth for a long time. After investigating the current phenomenon among Korean youth, he saw a need to create a space for struggling young adults where they could meet, hang out and develop skills to create meaningful lives.

His previous work experiences at a health center in Cambodia and at the Beautiful Store as the head supervisor of Gwangju and Jeonnam areas, have given him insight in understanding and empathy for what young people are currently going through.

“The young people of Korea have the right to know the true value of life and they need opportunities to see the world in many different views,” Seo stated.

He nicknamed the center “The Spring Pool,” because it represents an oasis for young in Gwangju and relieves all the thirsts of the craving youth.

The center’s focus is to be a platform for Gwangju’s youth to collaborate, create and innovate. It encourages the youth to share ideas and develop skills through distinct programs as lectures, discussions and cultural exchanges. Of all the beneficial programs, monthly collective buying is the most beloved part of the center for visitors.

The center invites unique young Gwangju entrepreneurs from diverse areas who have compelling stories of success and tips for the discouraged youth. Prior to these lectures, the nominated speakers are thoroughly evaluated on their passion towards the youth and whether or not they have the right topic and can provide the right guidance for young adults. As a result, the first sets of lectures were enormously successful. Some of the most successful lectures include image presentation, communication, photography and project planning.

Seo believes Asia to be a major player in the world future markets. Thus, he is seeking to create more opportunities for Gwangju youth to educate themselves about the continent’s other countries. Once a month, the center hosts a special Asian Day. International residents from China, Vietnam and other Asian countries are invited to share and communicate with these eager youth who are willing to learn about diversity in Asia.

In addition to these opportunities, Seo also focuses on making international residents feel welcomed. During the 2015 Summer Universiade Games, realizing the absence of a mosque for international guests, he made the one room available at The Forest as a prayer room for Muslims.

The Forest consists of five different well furnished rooms: the Pi-um (bloom), Na-rae (wing), To-dak(a pat), Asia and E-room & Se-um (build and establish) designed to bring out the best in the youth. The rooms can be rented as a multi-purpose room and it is free of charge for youth residing in Gwangju.

“As groups of trees form great forests, we will do our utmost to help the youth to grow a forest, Gwangju,” the center’s slogan states. Through their hard work, the center envisions a brighter future for the youth of Gwangju and everywhere else.