Mr. Choi owns and manages a sandwich store that he opened in Manhattan last year. He also works for a real estate firm. Although the nature of the two jobs are different, Mr. Choi holds two jobs because he does not only support his family, but he is also concerned about the future. Like so many others, he wants to establish financial security for his declining years. So five days a week, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. – until the afternoon lunch-rush ends – Mr. Choi works, along with his wife, in his store. Then he goes off to work in real estate. He says he is able to hold down both jobs because the timing is right; most of his work in real estate can be done in the afternoon or on weekends.

Mr. Park tells a similar story. He works as a clerk in a cell phone store and in the evening as a computer graphics designer in a garment company, managed by a graduate of his alma mater. Before it is too late, Mr. Park says he is determined to find work that is more than just a second job, but is a lifetime career. That’s why he is acquiring new skills and knowledge in graphic design. It also pays well.

Recently, the number of Korean immigrants working two jobs has increased. The category “double-jobbers” also includes those who already have a job, but are actively seeking another one.

Their reasons varied and obvious, including pure survival, overcoming financial pressures, a desire to get away from menial labor, better one’s job and career status, become self-employed, own one’s business or even to enrich one’s life through learning new tasks and skills.

Double-jobbers often have interesting, if not incongruous, work. Some work in offices by day and in parking lots by night. Others add second jobs as freelancers. For example, those with camera skills might work as freelance photographers, doing weddings, ceremonies, etc.

Mr. Kim, president of a Korean human resources company in New York, explained that the present condition of Korean workers holding two jobs reflects both the continued economic depression and instability of the current job market. This is why so many young office workers – especially men – are increasingly looking for better jobs.

On the other hand, some Koreans have expressed negative sentiments towards the increasing number of double-jobbers. Manpower experts say that working two jobs poses a potential high risk to one’s health. In addition, working a second job might threaten performance at the first job – through forced neglect or mismanagement. They advise that it is better to have one carefully selected job and concentrate on increasing one’s competitive power, rather than risk diminishing one’s overall performance by working two – or several – jobs.