The latest coming-of-age K-drama on Netflix is a sure contender for series of the year that you wouldn’t want to miss. There are many reasons why you should watch Record of Youth.

But in a nutshell, if you’re looking for a heartwarming series that explores how our ambitions and dreams shape our lives, then this k-drama might just be your cup of tea.

What is it about?

When I had first seen the trailer for Record of Youth, it seemed like it was going to be a clusterfest. If there’s something I dislike about some K-dramas, it’s that they tend to throw every element they could think of at the wall to see what sticks. Some concepts are so crazy that they work, but there are those that also end up being a huge miss.

Thankfully, Record of Youth isn’t as complicated as the trailer makes it out to be. We follow the life of Sa Hye-jun (played by Park Bo-gum), a principled young man who has been struggling to make it into the modeling industry for a long time.

It doesn’t help that he is best friends with a model who is quickly on the rise, Won Hae-hyo (played by Byeon Woo-seok). Their friendship is all the more interesting given that Hae-hyo comes from an extremely wealthy family while Hye-jun has humbler beginnings. In one of the fashion shows they model in, they meet the determined make-up artist Ahn Jeong-ha (played by Park So-dam) who is Sa Hye-jun’s number one fan, because of course she is.

Hye-jun’s self-esteem is on the verge of destruction as he watches his friend achieve milestone after milestone while his career continues to stagnate. On top of that, his brother and father keep pressuring him to stop modeling and go serve in the military instead.

Basically, all the signs are telling him to give up on his dream. So now he has to figure out what makes most sense for him and his future.

Now that you’re caught up on what the show is all about, it’s time to tell you the reasons why I can’t stop gushing about the show three weeks since it has premiered, and all the tea on why you should watch Record of Youth.

(And just to get it out of the way, you may have seen Park Bo-gum in some high-profile shows. Does Reply 1988, aka best k-drama ever, ring any bells? You also know Park So-dam as Jessica from Parasite, which won Best Picture in this year’s Oscars. I mean, no big deal.)

1. It shows you the ugly side of having a job.

Don’t get me wrong. Record of Youth is a stunning and beautiful show mostly because it serves us budget in every single episode.

But it doesn’t shy away from tackling the less glamorous side of things either. From late paychecks to benefactors to abusive bosses, ugly commoners like us working in non-modeling industries will still be able to put ourselves in the characters’ shoes in these moments.

One of the lessons that the show hammers home is that you actually have to work hard to make your dream job a dream job. No industry is perfect, and you really have to crawl through the mud sometimes to get to the good side.

It’s refreshing to see these topics addressed because there’s a tendency for some TV series to glamourize life without acknowledging all the “baggage” that comes with it. If you’re into shows that do just these, you might want to check out our list of best k-dramas to watch for Gen Z’ers.

2. It inspires you to do something.

While you might be tempted to sit on your couch all day to binge-watch Record of Youth, it actually has a way to motivate you to get up and work hard. And we don’t mean working harder at your boring day job like a corporate slave. We mean the work that you actually want to do.

The k-drama gives such high regard towards working for your dream that it could easily light a fire under your belly. For instance, Hye-jun and Jeong-ha’s belief system are particularly admirable when it comes to their ambitions. While their determination is tested throughout the series, it never truly dies.

And that is the energy we want to see more of in a world where young people are continuously told that they have it easy.

Working isn’t the solution, but taking concrete actions to reach your goals is what turns them into reality.

3. It makes you believe that other people believe in you.

One of my favorite parts of this k-drama is how every character has someone else supporting their dreams. Some of the best moments in the show revolve around situations where a character gives encouragement to the other when they start to doubt themselves.

Hae-hyo has his momager who will do just about everything to see him be an A-list star… even if it means buying him followers on Instagram.

The relationship between Hye-jun and his grandfather is amazing to watch as they bond over their family’s disapproval of their life decisions. We see them pick each other up no matter how delusional they may seem to the rest of the world.

While detractors can dampen your spirits, there is always that person who will support the choices you make. And sometimes, they’re all you need to get you by times when you feel like giving up on your dreams.

Just like the wise Lady Gaga once said again and again, “there can be a hundred people in the room, and 99 don’t believe in you, but one does.”

4. It encourages you to take the high road.

Record of Youth does a great job of showing how much privilege and wealth can truly play a factor in a person’s success. We’re gonna get into a few minor spoilers here, so brace yourselves.

When you grow up with a best friend who’s way richer than you while you watch him attain all the dreams you have for yourself, it’s tempting to take the easy way out. But Hye-jun manages to stand up for his principles when life tries to hand him success through questionable means, like the time he rejected a potential benefactor who has the hots for him.

He also quits his agency when they refuse to pay him what’s his due for the nth time. Unfortunately for us young people, we are told to suck it up because that’s just how it is in the real world.

Well just like what Hye-jun demonstrated, we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be treated like that.

Do what you have to do to get successful, but not at the expense of your dignity and principles.

5. It exemplifies a non-toxic kind of love.

In TV shows, we always see someone having to give up their personal ambitions just to get together with someone. Hellooooo, Rachel and Ross. But that way of thinking is exactly why you should watch Record of Youth.

The budding relationship between the two leads is exhilarating to watch especially with their strong on-screen chemistry. However, what I love most is how even in the midst of their romance, they still manage to prioritize their own personal growth.

They’re still putting themselves first, which is perfectly okay.

This is highlighted in Jeong-ha’s story where she declines Hye-jun’s request to do his make-up despite being his number one fan. Even if it was killing her inside, she knew it was the right thing to do for her career because her manager, Jin-ju, has been aggressively jealous whenever a client requests for her services.

Life in your twenties is about finding who you are. You don’t have to give up that quest just because you fall in love with someone.

6. It shows you numerous POVs.

I love shows where characters live in shades of grey where no one is truly good, and no one is truly bad. Record of Youth somehow manages to do that because even the “villains” in the show have some reasonable motivation to act the way they do.

A lot of viewers might get turned off with Hae-hyo because “he has it easy”. However, as the series progresses, you’ll see how much his friendship with Hye-jun is always a number one priority to him.

Some may get frustrated with his mom too, but you know that she’s really just coming from a place of love when she does everything for Hae-hyo’s career to thrive. Her ambition isn’t as selfish and deadly as those of the parents in Sky Castle.

Watching the stories of Hye-jun’s parents is also pretty interesting to watch. On one hand, we have the mother who works as the help in Hae-hyo’s household. Her commentary on how different it is to raise your kids when you come from humble roots is eye-opening.

Then, we have the father who might seem like your typical unsupportive and aggressive dad. But we are able to understand where he’s coming from because he has literally broken bones to support his family.

Record of Youth tries its best to flesh out all the characters from different ages and backgrounds, which makes it stand out from the other coming-of-age dramas out there.

It’s actually difficult not to see yourself in at least one of the characters. Hell, every one of them will probably remind you of someone in your life.

It’s a show that will not only make you reflect on your relationship with your career, but also how it drives the way other people make decisions.

The relatability of the characters and situations as a zoomer and a zillennial is what makes this a one-of-a-kind show for our generation. I hope this list was enough to convince you why you should watch Record of Youth. You can watch it on Netflix with new episodes being released every Monday and Tuesday.

If you’re looking for more shows for zillennials, we recommend the guilty pleasure you’re not watching: Elite. Never miss out on anything by following us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Featured Image: Netflix Asia on Youtube

The post Why ‘Record of Youth’ is the Perfect K-Drama for Zillennials appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Hey zoomer, are you discouraged from registering as a voter in #Halalan2022 because it’s “hopeless” anyway? Do you think that your vote won’t end up making a difference in the big picture?

Honestly, I’ve been there. Back in 2016, I remember just having turned 18 years old but choosing not to register as a voter. I told myself: “what’s my one vote going to do?”

But after educating myself and hacking my brain a bit, I knew that it was imperative for me to vote in the upcoming elections. Here are some ways I convinced myself to register for the next presidential election which I hope can help you or your friends think differently too.

#Halalan2022 is our Hail Mary.

I’m writing this as I grieve over the death of the ABS-CBN franchise which has robbed over 11,000 people of their jobs in the middle of a pandemic. More than that, this move has shown that press freedom in the Philippines is merely an illusion.

And an attack to press freedom is an attack to our personal freedom.

Unfortunately, this has only been one of many questionable decisions that has greatly affected us personally, mentally, and emotionally. The past four years have been exhausting to say the least.

But more than being tired, we are furious.

Now is always the best time to express frustration and take action. But if all our efforts still fall on deaf ears, we have a Hail Mary waiting in our back pocket: #Halalan2022.

You don’t want to be lazy, do you?

If registering as a voter was as easy as entering a 6-digit PIN code, then would you have done it already even if you knew there was no hope of a good candidate winning?

Let’s say you love pineapples on your pizza. Nay, you are passionate about them. Then you see a Twitter poll asking you which one is the superior option: pizza with pineapples or pizza without pineapples.

Before you even look at the results, you already know pizza without pineapples is gonna win in a landslide. But you’re still gonna vote for the option with pineapples anyway, right?

Why did you vote in that poll even if you knew the option you were going to choose would lose? Because all you literally had to do was tap your screen.

Now let’s go back to the elections: why can’t you register to vote even if you knew that a trapo was gonna win anyway?

If you answered that you were going to vote in the hypothetical Twitter poll above, but still don’t want to vote in the presidential election because it’s hopeless, then that’s just you being lazy.

Hopelessness is just laziness at work. Don’t hide behind the “it’s hopeless” excuse because voting is the hope that we need to change things around here.

It’s better than doing nothing.

Voting in #Halalan2022 is honestly the bare minimum that you can do to make an actual difference in how the country is run. While tweeting hashtags is okay, it’s not going to do much in the bigger picture.

This is a once every six years opportunity that we can’t pass up. Registering to vote literally took me just an hour, and voting will take you less than a day to complete.

Imagine taking less than 24 hours off to do something meaningful that will affect you.

A presidential term in the Philippines is six years, which is equivalent to 52,560 hours. When we do the math, the whole voting process is just 0.0005% of that. Your self-care day can wait.

Register so you have the right to complain.

Protect yourself from hearing “don’t complain, you didn’t even vote” the next years. As someone who didn’t vote in the 2016 presidential election, I got this from my family a lot every time I complained about the government.

And honestly, they do have a point. I mean I hated hearing it, but it was true to an extent. Look, every Filipino citizen has a right to complain but you can’t fault people for getting mad over your complaining when you didn’t even do the bare minimum!

Do you know what stopped them from saying this to me? When I registered for #Halalan2022.

This is a card that boomers like to pull out when young people complain, so please, even if it’s just out of spite and pride, register to vote!

You’ll get a lot of hate if you don’t vote.

This is such a bad reason to register but I think it needs to be said as a warning. Unfortunately, cancel culture is not going to end soon. You will get a lot of judgmental shade thrown against you if you don’t vote.

Then there’s also the self-hate, too.

I’ve experienced being called out by my friends firsthand about it. The disappointment in their faces when I reveal this fact is something that I just can’t turn a blind eye to. The guilt also eats me up knowing that I could’ve done something to help make the country a better place for other people.

Foolish 18-year old me not giving a damn about the world.

If you’re still indifferent about what’s going on in the country, do yourself a favor and still register to vote. Because one day, you are going to care about politics and you’ll end up writing an article telling people how much you regret not voting before.

You aren’t alone. We’re with you.

Just look at Facebook and Twitter. Not a day passes by where your timeline isn’t filled with political posts and opinions from your friends. Hell, even Instagram isn’t safe anymore.

And that’s a good thing.

Even the most indifferent people in your circle are being so vocal about national issues while encouraging people to vote in #Halalan2022. If this tells you anything, it’s that you are not alone. If your friends are finally speaking out, then they’re most likely taking their anger to the voting booths too.

Don’t get left behind.

But even if they’re not registered as a voter, then it would be extremely easy to convince them to. The anger is there; they just need a push that you yourself can give them.

Aren’t you just a little bit inspired by a politics-filled timeline? I know I am.

Seeing so many young zoomers speak out may just give you that dose of hope to convince yourself that your vote isn’t useless. Because we are voting with you.

Zoomers, this is your reminder to register as a voter for #Halalan2022. They have suspended registration until August 31 because of coronavirus, but we’ll make sure to remind you when the time to register is near.

In the meantime, open your eyes and ears. This is how you convince yourself to register.

Then when you’re ready, use your voice to convince your friends and everyone you know. We have a country to save; its future is quite literally in our hands.

Also, registering is half the battle. Show up on voting day.

Even if we fail or something fishy affects results, at least you can tell yourself that you did something to try and change the system. And that thought is going to help you through the dark days.

Want a quick recap of the things the Philippines prioritized over the coronavirus pandemic? Click here. We also have more advice for zoomers like you! Don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Featured Image: cottonbro on Pexels

The post #Halalan2022: Gen Z’ers of Age, You Have No Excuse Not to Vote appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

So you’ve decided to take off your toga and suit up for your first real job. You are now officially part of the workforce, and it’s just a matter of going from “unemployed” to “employed”. It’s a tough journey ahead, but it’s just a matter of knowing how to maneuver your way to success! Here are Zoomers Corner’s handy tips for fresh graduates seeking a job.

Don’t: Compare your pace with others.

Job hunting isn’t a race. I remember when I was job-hunting for the first time, the pressure to find a job kept getting higher and higher as more of my classmates got signed to a workplace. Looking back, I shouldn’t have felt that pressure because it really did nothing except increase my anxiety.

Just because all your friends are getting job interviews left and right while you aren’t, doesn’t mean that you should feel bad about yourself! Rejection is perfectly normal and an avenue for growth.

Instead of wallowing in sadness, take the time to improve your resume, brush up on interview questions, and send out feelers.

Do not let anyone else’s success dictate your pace. If your privilege permits it, take the time you need for the job hunting process. Your only motivation should be to find “the right job” ⁠— a job that makes sense for whatever your life priorities (e.g. wealth, work-life balance, skill development) may be.

Do: Compare company and job offers with trusted friends.

You are not an island in the job-hunting process. One of the most important tips for fresh graduates seeking a job is having a support system that includes your closest friends.

Creating those group chats specifically to discuss all things job hunting-related can help you practically and emotionally. One group chat I had was filled with my high school friends from different majors and colleges.

We had sent links to job openings that the others might have interest in, gave feedback on each other’s resumes and LinkedIn profiles, released our emotions after every interview, and yes, compared job offers.

Listen, I know there is still a taboo on discussing salaries and all that jazz. But as long as everyone in your group is secure with themselves and comfortable with the idea, I don’t see why you shouldn’t.

It’s extremely helpful especially if you’re applying for similar roles in the same industry. Do not cheat yourself by settling for a job that undercompensates!

Don’t: Mass-send job applications.

It’s tempting to just send out an application to numerous companies. But what you’re actually doing is reducing your chances of getting hired by not taking the time to craft out a specific and tailored application for every single one of them.

Remember, you only have one shot to make a good first impression.

These companies probably sift through numerous application forms, and if you just send out a generic resume and cover letter, you won’t get the chance to stand out. Make it feel like you are really fit for the job by addressing all the things they listed in their job opening.

Do: Personalize every job application.

You can’t be lazy with the job-hunting process. Recognize that every job opening has different priorities. Let’s say that you’re applying for the role of Social Media Assistant in two companies.

Company A might prioritize someone who can write social media posts and create visuals, while Company B might prioritize someone who can reply to customer inquires.

Having seen both job openings, you decide to send the same application for them. However, if you only focused on how proficient you are in crafting social media content in your resume, then you just lost your chance to get a job in Company B. They had specifically looked for a person who is great with interpersonal communication, which your resume does not address.

Take the extra 40 minutes to add stuff and rearrange some things in your resume. Then another 20 minutes to craft a cover letter specifically for that job position. Remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Don’t: Underestimate the power of social media.

The internet is your best friend. There are numerous Facebook groups where employers constantly post job listings. Just search “Philippines jobs” under Groups and you’ll see most of them.

What’s great is that there are Facebook groups that cater to a specific industry like marketing and content writing, for example. There is also a high chance that your school has an online group dedicated to job listings. Ask alumni you know if something like that exists for your school!

If you’re looking for a job in advertising, most agencies use the hashtag #MayOpeningBa on Twitter to find potential hires.

And of course, LinkedIn is the place to be when it comes to anything job-related. Not only is it a great networking app where you could connect with people from other industries, but you can also find lots of openings here!

From my experience, it’s one of the most user-friendly job listing sites out there, so make sure to use it to the fullest.

Do: Create a strong brand for yourself.

“Who are you?”

Depending on the HR officer in charge of the hiring process, you have a limited window of opportunity to answer that question. With that, you have to create a “brand” for yourself, as cringworthy as it sounds.

If you look at my LinkedIn profile, the professional objective in my resume, and my cover letter, you’d always see the words “passionate” and “loyal” in there somewhere. Those are the qualities that I want to stress to potential employers that help them remember who I am.

So what is your “thing” ⁠— are you the proactive go-getter, the hardworking leader, or the methodical artist? Here are some powerful adjectives to help fuel your brain when determining your brand.

There are loads of online tips for fresh graduates seeking a job in listing sites like Jobstreet, Kalibrr, Linkedin, and Glassdoor.

But the most important thing I can impart is to fill out your profile cleanly and completely. Make sure you look good in your professional headshot, there are no typos in your profile, and all the pertinent information are there.

When you apply through some of these websites, they send your resume along with your profile to the employer. So make sure everything is in tip-top shape!

By the way, part of maintaining your professional image is cleaning your social media profiles.

Most companies do look you up online as part of the process. You won’t win over anyone with your drunk party photos from college or your expletive-laced rants on Twitter, so make sure to adjust your privacy settings accordingly.

Don’t: Settle for a company.

If it doesn’t feel right, then it’s not right! Settling doesn’t mean turning down every job offer that doesn’t fit all the items in your “perfect job” criteria. I retain my position that there is no such thing as a “perfect job” especially for your first one.

But I encourage you to heavily consider turning down an offer that goes against something that you consider mandatory for a job. It’d be good to breakdown and prioritize your needs and wants in a list.

If a job offer doesn’t fulfill one of your needs, ask yourself again if you think that it’s really a need for you. If the answer is still yes, then don’t go for it.

Again, this goes back to setting your own pace when it comes to the job-hunting process. As much as possible, try to keep external factors from clouding your judgement.

This may come from a family member telling you to take the job, the company setting a deadline for you to make a decision, or your insecurity from seeing your friends working already.

Do: Search only for companies that fulfill your needs.

Everyone’s priorities are different. When I had first gone job-hunting, I wanted a company with high salary but needed one with good benefits.

Even if I feel like we shouldn’t be picky about salary for an entry-level job, it is a deal-breaker for those who either want to live independently, or have a family to support. The usual trade-off would be the lack of a work-life balance, which is something that I know I needed.

Real talk: looking for a job would be easier if you had an idea where you want to be in the short and long-term.

Nevermind that it’s a common job interview question. But in this cruel world we live in, your lifestyle heavily depends on your job.

I had refused a really damn good offer for a managerial position as a fresh graduate. It had crossed everything off my list, but I knew that I couldn’t push through with it because I wanted to start something on the side (thanks, Shark Tank).

With how fast-paced the job is, I knew that I just wouldn’t have the time to do what I wanted.

So what does it mean for you?

I would have saved some effort and transportation money by not applying for that position in the first place. Even if I knew that the environment was fast-paced when I had applied, I still pushed through with it anyways.

It’s normal to be trigger-happy when it comes to sending out all these job offers. Hey, it’s excusable right now since we’re in a pandemic!

But if you’re really applying with zero, as in zero, intent of joining a company: just don’t go for it. You’d just be wasting your time, and the employer’s time.

Thankfully, you’re just one Google search away from looking at employer reviews.

With a few clicks, you can gauge whether or not a company is a great working environment, if they compensate fairly, and what benefits they offer. If the company isn’t big enough, one thing I do is look up their website and the owners’ social media profiles to get a feel of how the place is run.

But in essence, do your company research well! Make sure you’re a fit for whatever you’re applying for.

These are just some of our tips for fresh graduates seeking for a job! The whole job-hunting process is a really exciting part of every zoomer’s life, and it can even be a positive experience as long as you’re well-prepared for it. We wish you luck, and we hope to see you employed soon!

Questions? Agree or disagree? Any tips for our new zoomers entering the workforce? Shoot us a comment below!

Still on that post-graduation high? Boy, do we have some life lessons for you! For more advice and tips, don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Twitter and Instagram.

Featured Image: Ketut Subiyanto

The post Honest Do’s and Don’ts for Fresh Graduates Hunting for Jobs (2020) appeared first on Zoomers Corner.