“Coronary heart Sign 4” participant Kim Ji-young, a flight attendant / Display seize from on-line neighborhood
Choi Hyun-ji, 25, believes that the perfect elements about being a flight attendant are “assembly numerous individuals and having the chance to journey to so many alternative locations world wide.”
Choi, a former Qatar Airways crew member, has been to 42 international locations, logging 2,432 flight hours. She has solid long-lasting friendships with individuals all around the world, from Qatar to the US.
Though being a flight attendant has many constructive sides, Choi doesn’t cover the negatives. “Essentially the most troublesome a part of being a flight attendant is sustaining a balanced way of life due to the time variations and irregular working hours,” she instructed The Korea Instances.
These working experiences are well-documented in at present’s age of social media, with movies and posts of flight attendants and their each day lives racking up hundreds of thousands of views throughout totally different platforms.
In Korea, many flight attendants boast a big following as they not solely share their life within the sky, but additionally double as fashions and influencers. This has led to nationwide fascination with the occupation, with many younger Korean ladies curious in regards to the technique of changing into a flight attendant.
The occupation, lengthy related to class, journey and status, continues to draw 1000’s of candidates yearly. Precise software figures and acceptance charges should not revealed by Korean Air, however estimates on on-line communities say that roughly 17,000 individuals utilized for the flight attendant place in 2010, but fewer than 150 have been employed — an acceptance fee of beneath 1 p.c.
As curiosity has grown, on-line job-searching firms estimate that at present’s applicant pool could possibly be as excessive as 20,000. Many evaluate the issue of getting employed to passing a Ok-pop trainee audition, underscoring the job’s idealized view amongst younger Koreans.
Korean Air, thought of one of many world’s main airways for cabin service, stays the best choice amongst aspiring flight attendants.
Instagram content material about flight attendants / Display seize from Instagram
What attracts younger Koreans to the occupation
Regardless of lengthy working hours and restricted relaxation, the job stays well-liked. Flight attendants not solely have the chance to journey the world, however typically earn greater than the common workplace worker whereas working fewer hours.
As of 2025, Korea’s minimal wage stands at 10,030 gained per hour ($7.40). Precise numbers should not offered by the airways, however on-line sources declare that Korean Air interns and first-year flight attendants get round $25,000 a 12 months, whereas seniors receives a commission as much as $55,000 a 12 months. Alongside the upper pay, many flight attendants get pleasure from further advantages.
Choi recounted that airline workers obtain discounted tickets for household and mates, free housing and transportation. Being a flight attendant additionally gave her the liberty to journey to totally different locations throughout her days off.
Influencers and celebrities who beforehand labored as crew members helped the occupation acquire reputation by inserting it beneath a highlight.
Park Hyun-ji, a flight attendant who starred in Season 4 of the favored courting present “EXchange” (also referred to as “Transit Love”), was instructed by fellow forged members that the second they noticed her, they knew which job she had. When it was her flip to disclose her job, the feminine contributors stated “flight attendant” in unison. Her top, demeanor and bodily look had given her away.
Kim Ji-young, who labored as a flight attendant for seven years, first rose to fame on the courting present “Coronary heart Sign 4” in 2023. Kim is now working as a mannequin and influencer, even internet hosting a small radio present section on SBS Energy FM.
Moreover, actor Pyo Ye-jin, who starred in exhibits like “Taxi Driver” (2021) and “Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Story” (2024), gained fame for her background as a flight attendant.
The net presence of former cabin crew who later grew to become celebrities and influencers has provided most people a glamorized look into the life-style.
“EXchange 4” participant Park Hyun-ji / Courtesy of TVING
Magnificence, poise, manners
In Korea, flight attendants are sometimes related to magnificence, poise and refined manners — traits that complement the nation’s deeply entrenched magnificence requirements.
Korean Air, which many aspiring flight attendants goal to work for, is thought for its rigorous coaching, job competitiveness and polished picture, requiring candidates to fulfill excessive requirements.
The Korean flag provider was named one of many world’s high three airways within the 2025 USA At the moment 10BEST Readers’ Selection Awards, gaining reward for its enterprise cabin and in-flight providers. It additionally acquired accolades for Greatest Cabin Crew, rating third on the earth.
Hwang Ji-yeong, 24, presently a member of the Emirates cabin crew, famous that the majority airways take into account top an necessary requirement for security and repair duties as a result of crew members should be capable to attain the overhead bins.
Whereas magnificence is just not an official requirement, it stays an unstated issue for Korean Air candidates. In line with Choi, Korean Air “normally prefers somebody with a clear and pleasant impression. Interviewers focus closely on a vivid smile, clear pores and skin, balanced options and a neat, skilled picture.”
“Look isn’t utterly ignored,” Choi stated. “Nevertheless, I do assume that Asian airways — similar to Korean, Singaporean, Japanese and Center Japanese airways — have a tendency to contemplate facial options extra in comparison with European or American airways.”
This magnificence customary has led some aspiring flight attendants to even get cosmetic surgery. Many magnificence clinics in Korea now have particular packages particularly for flight attendants.
Flight attendants at Korean Air even have established tips in terms of talking, emphasizing speech and tone. Cabin crew are anticipated to have a soothing and calm voice when serving clients.
“In line with my colleagues at Korean airways, the environment tends to be extra skilled and considerably strict,” Choi stated. “Seniority should be adopted, and Korean airways keep a selected tone and magnificence when talking to passengers.”
Flight attendant academy coaching / Courtesy of Orda Crew Academy
What it takes to turn into a flight attendant
Candidates should meet strict imaginative and prescient requirements of no less than 1.0. English proficiency assessments similar to OPIc and TOEIC are obligatory, and all candidates should move medical and bodily exams, together with a swimming check to reveal emergency preparedness.
The recruitment course of entails doc screening and a number of interview rounds. In consequence, candidates place nice significance on their resumes, focusing not solely on job {qualifications} but additionally on the picture submitted with the applying.
Previously, college students from varied tutorial backgrounds may apply with out intensive preparation. Nevertheless, as competitors has intensified, many now attend flight attendant academies.
Choi recalled that her academy had about 10 to fifteen grownup college students in a single class, with much more enrolled in entrance examination preparation applications.
Flight academies have totally different applications, with various prices and durations. Because of confidentiality, these academies don’t present public info relating to their costs. Numerous on-line communities word that some academies supply six-month programs ranging between $2,000 and $4,000. Different academies permit month-to-month funds beginning at $800.
These academies supply a variety of coaching that prepares candidates for each the hiring course of and the calls for of the job. College students obtain instruction in English, posture, speech, customer support and security procedures. Many academies conduct simulated cabin service periods and likewise require swimming follow and first support coaching to fulfill emergency requirements.
As well as, grooming and make-up courses assist candidates match every airline’s most popular picture, whereas interview teaching and software assist information college students via the aggressive recruitment cycle.
Hwang’s academy offered “interview preparation courses, together with English interview follow, role-playing and picture coaching.”
Composite picture of Ok-pop group SATURDAY member Yuki posing in entrance of a Korean Air poster and her acceptance certificates to Inha Technical School division of aviation operations. Courtesy of Yuki’s Instagram
The extreme competitors is additional amplified by Korea’s tight job market. Youth employment has reached its lowest stage in 12 years, pushing many aspiring flight attendants to enter specialised college applications in flight providers. This route permits candidates to realize {qualifications} whereas incomes a level, offering a safer path to success. Some select two-year applications, whereas others enroll in four-year levels that include trade connections and alternatives.
In line with Air Premia, its July 2024 recruitment interval attracted round 6,200 candidates, with an acceptance fee of 1 in 62. With Korean Air and Asiana Airways scheduled to finalize their merger this 12 months, it’s anticipated that the competitors will turn into even fiercer.
Koreans who dream of changing into flight attendants make investments excess of $4,000 in rigorous coaching and past, to fulfill the excessive requirements of the occupation. However regardless of the job’s grueling nature and troublesome necessities, its glamorous picture and perceived social status has led to renewed curiosity, as younger Koreans pursue much less conventional profession paths in hopes of discovering success.
Kim Sur-hyun is a Korea Instances intern.
