Lee Jung-hyun in tvN's "Mr Sunshine" - tvN
SEOUL: Actor Lee Jung-hyun, best known for his role as a ruthless Japanese soldier in hit Korean TV series "Mr Sunshine," applied for a factory job at carmaker Kia. However, it appears that he will likely continue his acting career instead.
Lee, via Instagram on Monday (Dec 23), revealed a rejection message he received from Kia, which is part of Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea's third-largest conglomerate.
The text message read, "Unfortunately, we are unable to proceed with your application for this recruitment. We hope to meet you again through other Kia job postings in the future."
A screenshot shows a text message from Kia, notifying Lee Jung-hyun that his application has been rejected in the document screening stage. (Lee's Instagram)
Under the photo, Lee commented, "Rejected. Merry Christmas."
Hyundai Motor Group hires new employees annually across various positions at its factories, administrative offices and research units. Entry-level production line positions are considered among the most sought-after roles, owing to their high salaries, job stability and welfare benefits.
Competition for factory jobs typically sees hundreds of applicants vying for each open position.
The average annual salary per employee at Kia reached 120 million won (US$82,600) last year, according to data from the Financial Supervisory Service.
Besides the fat paycheck, Kia is highly sought after by young job applicants for a guaranteed retirement age as well as perks such as discounts on Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
The ongoing hiring process commenced on Dec 5, in an addition to the group’s usual annual hiring, following an agreement between Kia's management and labor union to recruit 500 more new workers this year.
Successful applicants will be assigned to production sites in Gyeonggi Province, including Gwangmyeong, Hwaseong and Gwangju. They will be responsible for assembling car parts on the automotive assembly conveyor line. - The Korea Herald/ANN
