Korean Reading Practice

1시간에 2만원…청년들 ‘하객 알바’ 몰리는 이유[출동!인턴]

📅 January 25, 2026

1Introduction

This reading explores a unique part-time job trend among young Koreans: working as hired wedding guests. We’ll examine why this unusual form of employment has become popular and what it reveals about modern Korean society and wedding culture.

2Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
하객 hageok wedding guest 결혼식에 많은 하객들이 참석했다.Many wedding guests attended the ceremony.
알바 alba part-time job 대학생들은 생활비를 위해 알바를 한다.University students work part-time jobs for living expenses.
예식장 yesikjang wedding hall 예식장에서 결혼식을 올렸다.They held their wedding at a wedding hall.
신랑 sillang groom 신랑이 웨딩드레스를 입은 신부를 기다리고 있다.The groom is waiting for the bride in her wedding dress.
신부 sinbu bride 아름다운 신부가 입장했다.The beautiful bride made her entrance.
좌석 jwaseok seat 빈 좌석을 채우는 것이 중요하다.Filling empty seats is important.
대행업체 daehaeng-eopche agency company 여러 대행업체에서 이런 서비스를 제공한다.Various agencies provide this service.
수입 suip income 아르바이트로 추가 수입을 얻을 수 있다.You can earn additional income through part-time work.
지침 jichim guidelines 회사에서 안전 지침을 제공했다.The company provided safety guidelines.
축하 chukha congratulations 친구의 결혼을 축하했다.I congratulated my friend on their marriage.
경력 gyeongnyeok experience/career 이 일은 특별한 경력이 필요하지 않다.This job doesn’t require special experience.
기대 gidae expectation 사회적 기대가 강하게 작용한다.Social expectations work strongly.

3Reading Text

요즘 20대와 30대 청년들 사이에서 특별한 아르바이트가 인기를 끌고 있다.

These days, a special part-time job is gaining popularity among people in their 20s and 30s.

바로 ‘하객 알바‘라고 불리는 일로, 결혼식에 참석해서 신랑이나 신부의 친구인 것처럼 행동하는 것이다.

It’s called “wedding guest work,” where people attend weddings and act as if they’re friends of the bride or groom.

이 일의 주요 목적은 예식장의 빈 좌석을 채워서 결혼식이 성대해 보이도록 하는 것이다.

The main purpose of this work is to fill empty seats in the wedding hall to make the ceremony look grand.

하객 알바를 구하는 방법은 간단하다.

Finding wedding guest work is simple.

아르바이트 앱에서 관련 정보를 찾아 연락하면 대행업체와 연결된다.

You can find related information on part-time job apps and contact agencies that provide this service.

업체에서는 “밝게 축하 인사를 해달라” 또는 “지나치게 눈에 띄는 행동은 하지 말라” 같은 구체적인 행동 지침을 제공한다.

Agencies provide specific behavioral guidelines such as “give bright congratulations” or “don’t act too conspicuously.”

이 아르바이트의 장점은 특별한 기술이나 경험이 필요하지 않다는 것이다.

The advantage of this part-time job is that it doesn’t require special skills or experience.

한국 사회에서 결혼식은 여전히 많은 사람들이 모여야 하는 중요한 행사로 여겨지기 때문에 이런 서비스에 대한 수요가 계속 존재한다.

In Korean society, weddings are still considered important events where many people should gather, so demand for this service continues to exist.

4Comprehension Questions

Q1
What is the main job responsibility of wedding guest workers?
Q2
How do young people typically find these wedding guest jobs?
Q3
What kind of behavioral guidelines do agencies provide to workers?
Q4
Why don’t these jobs require special skills or extensive training?
Q5
What does this trend reveal about Korean attitudes toward wedding ceremonies?

5Cultural Notes

In Korean culture, weddings are considered major social events where having many attendees demonstrates the families’ social connections and status. The concept of “face” (체면) is important, making a well-attended ceremony crucial for family honor. This cultural expectation has created a market for professional wedding guests, reflecting how traditional values adapt to modern economic realities.

Source: Naver News |
Original Article

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