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| South Korea's Financial Stress |
As income disparity widens in South Korea, social integration is becoming increasingly difficult. A recent online post from a man in his 40s has gone viral, highlighting the financial struggles of middle-income families.
Despite earning 2.7 million won per month, the man shared his feelings of insecurity and frustration after seeing people with 8 to 10 million won salaries still struggling to make ends meet.
💰 “At 40, I Only Earn 2.7 Million Won. Should I Disappear?”
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| 40대 남자 월수입 270만원 ~~죽고 싶다 |
On 2025 March 06, a user posted on an online forum with the emotional title:
“At 40, I Only Earn 2.7 Million Won Per Month. Should I Disappear?”
🔹 The author, explained that his total monthly take-home pay, including salary, bonuses, and tax refunds, is 2.7 million won. With his wife’s income included, their household earnings amount to just 3.5 million won per month.
As a father, he expressed deep concern:
❝ I feel lost when I see people making 8 to 10 million won a month still struggling. If they feel it's hard, what about my family? How are we supposed to survive? ❞
🏠 A Father’s Silent Struggles
A shared that he lost his job at 40 and took years to find stable employment. He has now worked in his current job for five years, but financial insecurity still looms large.
🚫 No vacations in 7+ years
🚫 Only overseas trip was 20 years ago for his honeymoon
😞 Depression from financial stress
However, he finds strength in his wife’s support:
💬 “If you did your best today, enjoy a good meal and be content.”
Despite his worries, his child never complains, which makes him feel even more guilty for not providing a better life.
🗣️ Netizens Show Support: “You’ve Done Well”
The story struck a chord with many online users, who offered words of encouragement:
💖 “You’ve done well. Plus, you have an amazing wife.”
💡 “Happiness comes from within, not just from money.”
💰 “It’s a tough situation, but it’s not impossible to live on 3.5 million won.”
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| Job advertisement in Korea (heraldcorp) |
📊 The Reality of South Korea’s Income Gap
According to the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), the average household income in South Korea (including single-person and farming households) reached 5.21 million won per month in Q4 2024, a 3.8% increase from the previous year.
✅ Wage income: 3.24 million won (+2.3%)
✅ Business income: 1.09 million won (+5.5%)
📉 Real income growth (adjusted for inflation): Only 2.2%
💲 The Widening Wealth Gap
The disparity between income groups is becoming more pronounced:
💵 Lowest 20% earners (Group 1): 1.21 million won (+3.0%)
💵 Middle-income earners (Group 3): 4.4 million won (+4.4%)
💵 Top 20% earners (Group 5): 11.19 million won (+3.7%)
📢 The gap between rich and poor continues to expand, making it even harder for lower-income families to keep up with the rising cost of living.
😊 Money & Happiness: A Divided Reality
Not just income, but happiness levels also vary based on earnings. According to the 2024 Social Integration Survey, conducted by the Korea Institute of Public Administration, financial well-being directly affects happiness:
📉 People earning less than 1 million won per month: Happiness score dropped from 6.1 to 6.0
📈 People earning over 6 million won per month: Happiness score increased from 6.8 to 7.0
⚖️ Overall national happiness score: 6.8/10 (slightly up from 2023 but with a stark gap between income groups).
🔎 Final Thoughts: Is Financial Stress the New Normal?
With South Korea’s income gap widening, housing costs rising, and economic pressures mounting, many middle-class families feel left behind.
🔹 Is financial insecurity becoming the new norm?
🔹 Can work-life balance exist when wages fail to keep up?
🔹 What policies can truly close the income gap?
💬 What do you think? Share your thoughts below! 👇