In a country with the world's fastest ageing population, many elderly South Koreans are venturing into unconventional late career opportunities.
Boasting an overgrown beard and grey wavy hair, 65-year-old Kim Chil-doo glared into the wall, poised and confident, as he practised his runway walk among young, pin-thin models at an academy in Seoul earlier this month.
Seniors have flocked to modelling schools on the back of Kim's success. Others have become YouTube stars or signed up to teach Korean to K-pop fans overseas.The trend has offered fresh hopes to the elderly, many of whom take low-paying, blue collar jobs to support themselves after retiring. Almost half of South Korean baby boomers live in poverty – the highest among members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development .
A South Korean senior model Kim Chil-doo, 65-years-old, prepares for a commercial in Seoul, South Korea, June 17, 2019. South Korea's seniors market has expanded about five-fold between 2002 and 2010, according to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, and continues to grow fast. "They were too talented to play pool there every day, with so much social and career experience to share," said Cho, 27, who recently graduated from the school.
"Coaching is a difficult job because it requires you to have endless energy, but I'm happy to be of a little help for other people beyond the border."Tapping into an international community has also proved lucrative for more traditional older workers. Sales of his tools have tripled and exports have soared, leading him to take on more workers - some seniors like himself, and some youngsters who might one day take over the business.Such cases are encouraging, experts say, but social protections should also be improved to keep pace with the speed of ageing, including sustainable policies to guarantee decent levels of income for seniors.
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