For some, it's a last resort after retirement and business closure, and for the younger generation, it's a starting point for their future.
The Certified Real Estate Broker Exam, which begins every fall, is a constant presence. This year, the 36th exam attracted over 160,000 applicants, demonstrating unwavering enthusiasm. Some, having endured the frustration of early retirement or the closure of their self-employed businesses, take on this exam as a desperate attempt to get back on their feet. Others choose this path, leaving their organizations behind and living independently. The Certified Real Estate Broker Exam has become more than just a means of livelihood; it's become a new starting point, bringing together generations aspiring for a comeback and those seeking to find their own path.
From "Bokdeukbang" to Professional... The Changing Status of the Brokerage Industry
Real estate agents are no longer simply seen as a post-retirement "living-life job." Shedding their image as "old men in real estate brokerage houses," they are evolving into comprehensive asset consultants equipped with extensive knowledge of law, taxation, finance, and development. As real estate transaction structures become increasingly complex, real estate agents are moving beyond mere matchmakers to professionals who design clients' assets and plan for their futures. Large brokerage firms handling commercial buildings, ultra-luxury housing, and development projects are also rapidly expanding.
Now, the industry standard is shifting from a "one-office brokerage" to a "team-based professional organization." The economic downturn and mass unemployment following the COVID-19 pandemic have forced countless people into the testing grounds, but within that, the brokerage industry has actually grown to new heights.
People who start over after retirement
In the exam room, people of all ages, from those in their 20s to those in their 70s and 80s, sit side by side. From office workers nearing retirement, to baby boomers seeking a second career, to housewives returning to society after raising their children… Age is no longer a barrier. People who have faced retirement or business collapse and felt lost are knocking on the doors of real estate agencies. Many, after taking early or honorable retirement and wondering "what to do next," are now running their own real estate agencies, drawing on their old management acumen.
Mr. B and his wife, who ran a private academy with their husband, recently opened an office in Songpa-gu after their business closed due to the impact of COVID-19. They took the real estate agent exam together and recently opened an office. The applicants are truly diverse. From middle-aged people seeking to take charge of the second half of their lives after retirement to the MZ generation who aspire to "live their lives without being controlled by anyone," this challenge transcends generations and backgrounds.
According to the 36th exam registration data for 2025, 34,532 people in their 40s, 27,600 in their 50s, and 8,177 in their 60s and older applied (based on the first round). Successful applicants for the 35th exam also ranged widely in age from their teens to their 80s. While the number of test takers has decreased from the 200,000s to the 160,000s, the changes within this test are qualitative.
The real estate agent exam is no longer simply a means of livelihood; it's a venue where the desire to "create my own career" converges. The generational expansion of the real estate agent exam isn't simply a re-employment trend. With the influx of middle-aged and older professionals accumulating expertise, the real estate brokerage industry is evolving beyond a "post-retirement alternative" to a "lifelong career."
As the real estate market undergoes structural change, an era of professional brokers, built on experience and trust, is dawning. For some, it's a chance to make a comeback, and for others, it's a starting point for independent living. For their own reasons, some prepare for arduous exams and re-enter the world. If you're at a dead end in life, don't despair. Take on the challenge.
You don't have to be a licensed real estate agent. The moment you take a step toward finding something worth pursuing, previously closed paths can open up again.
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