워라밸

The term "Worabal" (워라밸) is an abbreviation of 'Work and Life Balance'. It began to be actively used as a neologism in Korea starting in 2017. The concept gained further traction in 2017 when the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced '10 Proposals for Work Innovation to Promote Work-Life Balance and Improve Work Productivity'. In 2018, with the gradual implementation of the 52-hour work week system, "Worabal" became a significant social topic, often associated with the idea of 'a life with evenings'. 'Trend Korea' in 2018 even designated office workers in their 20s, born between 1988 and 1994, as the 'Worabal Generation'.

"Worabal" signifies 'the balance between work and life'. This concept first appeared in the late 1970s during the women's labor movement in the UK, advocating for stronger maternity protection systems like maternity leave, parental leave, and flexible working hours to help women manage both their professional and family lives. From 1986 in the US, it evolved to mean optimizing the working hours of all employees, regardless of gender or marital status, to ensure compatibility between work and home life. While initially focused on resolving conflicts between work and family, it has progressively expanded into a comprehensive concept aimed at enhancing the overall quality of life.

"Worabal" is pronounced roughly as "Wuh-rah-bahl".

"Worabal" is particularly valued by office workers in their 20s, born from the late 1980s to early 1990s, often dubbed the 'Worabal Generation'. This group tends to prioritize work-life balance as much as salary when making career choices. However, in contemporary society, where demanding workloads, after-hours work requests, and frequent overtime often erode personal lives, "Worabal" has become a critical consideration for job and career selection, thus gaining widespread resonance among employees of all age groups.

• "This company is rumored to have good Worabal, so I'm considering changing jobs."
• "It seems young generations nowadays value Worabal more than salary."
• "Thanks to the 52-hour work week system, we can now enjoy 'a life with evenings,' which means Worabal."
• "I thought civil servants had the ultimate Worabal, but it turns out that's often not the case."
• "Beyond Worabal, a new term 'Seurabal' (Study and Life Balance) has also emerged."

Beyond Worabal, a new term 'Seurabal' (Study and Life Balance) has also emerged, reflecting a similar emphasis on balancing academic pursuits with personal life.