From Quiet Quitting to Quiet Returning: Korea’s Young Professionals Reconsider Work

In 2022, the phrase “quiet quitting” swept across Korean offices as a growing number of young professionals began doing only what was required—no more, no less. Now, in late 2024, a new workplace trend is quietly emerging: “quiet returning.”

Instead of dramatically changing jobs or chasing startups, many Millennials and Gen Z workers are re-engaging with their existing careers—but on their own terms. They’re not chasing promotions or overcommitting; they’re rebuilding boundaries, focusing on stability, and redefining meaning in work.

“I’m not here to be a hero,” says 33-year-old Kim Sunwoo, a marketing manager in Seoul. “But I also realized I don't want to live in constant resistance. I came back—not to hustle, but to stay sane.”

According to a fall survey by Job Korea, over 58% of workers in their 20s and 30s who previously reported emotional disengagement say they’ve regained a degree of motivation—mainly due to mental health improvements, better team dynamics, or remote work flexibility.

Experts say the shift reflects emotional maturity rather than resignation. “Quiet quitting was a reaction. Quiet returning is a negotiation,” explains organizational psychologist Dr. Baek Jihyun. “It shows that workers are finding a rhythm between self-protection and contribution.”

Companies are cautiously optimistic. HR departments across major Korean firms are rolling out “reboarding programs,” designed not for new hires but for burned-out employees who’ve emotionally checked out. These include job redesign, flexible roles, mental health days, and internal mobility options.

The shift is also cultural. After years of hustle-glorification, balance is being reframed not as laziness, but as resilience. Online communities now share stories of “going quiet, then coming back stronger,” often without fanfare.

Of course, not everyone is returning. Many still exit quietly or shift careers entirely. But for those who remain, there’s a growing sense that work doesn’t have to be war—it can be a place to recover, reinvent, and stay human.

Date: 2024-12-16

Reporter: 박근홍