Meaning Rewritten at the Pink Slip Party in Seoul
The invitation has arrived, but it may not be the most welcome one. It’s a pink slip. The recipients of these pink invitations gathered in Seoul, South Korea, on October 16th for the first-ever “Pink Slip Party” in Korea. People seeking new job opportunities due to layoffs, voluntary retirement, or job changes, as well as corporate recruiters looking for fresh talent, gathered to discuss hope and opportunities.
A pink slip signifies a termination notice, indicating an abrupt departure from a job that one is passionate and dedicated to. The term “pink slip” originates from the 20th century when workers at Ford were assessed daily and given a colored slip based on their performance. Those who didn’t meet the required standards for the day were given a “pink” slip. The term gained prominence during the massive layoffs of the early 2000s dot-com bubble and the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis, leading to the formation of pink slip parties where affected workers would come together for support.
Pink slips are being handed out as major tech companies and startups undergo layoffs due to cost-cutting and restructuring. Companies like Meta, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have announced significant layoffs, possibly due to increased hiring during the pandemic, the ongoing recession, or the implementation of AI technology replacing human labor. In the startup scene, where growth and anxiety often coexist, layoffs are not uncommon. For instance, Singapore’s Osome has laid off a large number of employees twice this year, and e-commerce giant Shopee has also laid off many workers in various markets, including Indonesia. In South Korea, numerous startups are currently facing bankruptcy, beginning with the restructuring of affiliated startups due to the crisis at conglomerates like Naver and Kakao, and the recent delayed settlement of e-commerce giants Timon and WeMakePrice.
Amidst the challenging social circumstances, the Pink Slip Party was organized to provide encouragement and support to workers who had suddenly lost their jobs. The first-ever Pink Slip Party in Korea was just what was needed, with 100 job seekers and 30 recruiters coming together to network. It seemed like they had been waiting for an opportunity like this to arise, as over 400 applications were received in just two weeks. They enjoyed drinks, shared food, and casually shared their stories, resulting in an atmosphere filled with occasional laughter.
Then came an “iconic figure”: Lois Kim. While working as a global communications director at Google, she received an email informing her that her team had been eliminated. In her 50s, she unexpectedly took a gap year, working part-time at Trader Joe’s in Silicon Valley, as a pet sitter, and as a barista at Starbucks. During this time, she built a community with others in a similar situation. “When you lose your job, you feel very isolated. You can’t do anything on your own, and you tend to withdraw. No one who hasn’t been through it truly understands what it’s like,” she shared. Kim advised attendees to be most cautious of impatience: “This is not a time to pause; it’s a time to discover your true worth. Looking back on your life, this may be when you’re mentally toughest and strongest. Focus on the present, and that present will shape your future.” Her words were met with applause.
Lois Kim‘s message resonated with some of the participants. Minjung Koo, a marketer with 12 years of experience, was laid off earlier this year due to sudden company restructuring. “At first, I was frustrated, but over time, I realized that this wasn’t just a gap, but a time to start a new challenge in my life,” she says. She set out to fill her calendar with new opportunities. Today, she works as a freelance marketer, has created a community for working and growing moms, and even runs a pro bono study room where she donates her talents to people looking for a job. “I’m excited to be here today,” she says, “and I’m looking forward to meeting different careers and sharing stories of people taking the initiative to make their gap year work.”
The other standout participants at the Pink Slip Party were the recruiters. HR representatives from startups across various industries—including accounting, IT solutions, beauty, fashion, and more—approached attendees with enthusiasm. Taking the microphones, they eagerly promoted their companies, shared the positions they were hiring for, and explained the types of talent they were seeking. Many recruiters expressed, “Until now, we haven’t had the chance to meet job seekers face-to-face, so it’s great to have honest conversations about our startup’s reputation and hear where we can improve. We’re excited to help them and connect them with job opportunities.”
BoltX CEO Park Sang-woo, who organized the event, emphasized that the key theme of the Pink Slip Party was “connection.” BoltX is a direct-sourcing recruitment solution, developed by the South Korean startup Coffeechat. While traditional recruitment platforms allow companies to post job openings and wait for candidates to apply, BoltX focuses on “direct sourcing,” where recruiters actively seek out candidates themselves. The Pink Slip Party stems from this approach, shifting the dynamic so that it’s not just job seekers knocking on company doors—companies are also going out to find the talent they want. Park explained, “I believe that only someone who has experienced the same challenges can truly empathize. I wanted to bring recruiters to this gathering so they could connect with job seekers and help them explore new career opportunities. I don’t see the party as something sad. I hope everyone leaves with positive energy as they share a beer and discuss future possibilities.”
We can now redefine the meaning of pink. In 2023, the movie Barbie sparked a global movement, inspiring people to embrace a zest for life, self-expression, and more. The color “Barbie Pink” quickly went viral, symbolizing hope, confidence, courage, and vitality—qualities the world craved in the post-pandemic era. As one description put it, “Barbie Pink gives hope and inspires confidence, courage, and vitality—everything we need in a post-pandemic world. When you think of color as a language to express what’s happening, this vibrant, energizing pink, with its connection to Barbie, stands for boldness, fearlessness, and taking risks.” At the Pink Slip Party, that same spirit of fearlessness and hope was on full display.
A pink slip is an opportunity to begin a new chapter in life.
