Seoul foundation opens writing contest on midlife career changes

Seoul-si 50 Peulleoseu Jaedan (서울시50플러스재단), a Seoul foundation supporting middle-aged people, opened submissions on Oct. 19 for its fourth contest collecting personal accounts of career changes and reemployment. Entries will be accepted until Nov. 10. The contest is open to people who took part at least once in the foundation’s support programmes during 2025 or 2026, including employment counselling, vocational training, recruitment briefings, entrepreneurship support and digital job-skills education. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

Applicants are asked to describe changes, challenges, skills development and reemployment experiences arising from their participation. Newsis reported that the foundation particularly wants examples of people progressing through several support programmes from job preparation to employment. Applications can be made through an online form or email. The form link and application documents are available on the contest page of Raipeu Mongttang (라이프몽땅). Email applicants must submit an application, consent to the collection and use of personal information, and their written account. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

The foundation plans to select about 16 winners through internal and external expert judging. One top winner will receive 1 million won, five winners will each receive 500,000 won, and ten will each receive 200,000 won, with payments made in Seoul Pay. Judging will consider relevance to the theme, authenticity, completeness and originality. Winners are scheduled to be announced Nov. 24, though award arrangements may change depending on entry numbers and judging results. Selected work will be developed into a case collection and story content for publication on Raipeu Mongttang and social media, including Instagram and YouTube. [ 1 , 2 ]