Online discussions have surfaced discussing the situation with Kpop group EXO, and their company SM Entertainment. The group spoke up about the exploitation they have faced as idols, and demanded new terms for them and other groups in the company. Fans praised the group for speaking up against the corporation and standing up not just for themselves, but for the ‘little guys’ in this situation, and rightfully so. The exploitation of talent in the KPop industry is not a new revelation, and seeing a group as big as EXO speak up is genuinely inspiring. 

But exploitation of young talent is not limited to Kpop. What does this mean for fresh grads?

If any good can come out of this situation, it’s the lesson that we should not be doormats when exploitation rears its nasty head. A lot of people have worked very hard through their college years, writing papers, working late nights, and taking extracurricular activities. None of it is for getting a good grade, but because we want to excel in our future careers. This bright-eyed perspective tends to get taken advantage of by employers that think we don’t know any better. 

This rings especially true for big name companies, who know that working for them comes with a certain prestige, and use that against the fresh grads. If this happens, never be afraid to speak up, and if it doesn’t go your way, find a good company that fosters an environment for feedback and concerns.

Some fresh grads start freelancing before they take corporate jobs either to add more experience to their resume or to add more to their starting income. Upon seeking job opportunities in the PH, fresh graduates are given free access to important government work-required documents. With the increase in individuals going into freelance/contract work in the PH, fresh graduates try freelancing because they find more freedom and flexibility in their schedules as freelance offers project-based work for a period of time they can take multiple jobs or projects while working. They don’t get to have full company experiences, benefits, and no job security before but as of Feb 2023, now they have the rights by the labor code protecting freelancers. 

Unless the situation is tight, our standards for work should never be lowered. Even if it’s our first job, it is important to remember that we are competent enough to demand fair working conditions, salary, and respect. But also, don’t go too far in the other direction and act like you’re the hottest thing in town. Learning is a process that never stops, and expectations should be managed relative to your experience. 

When working for exploitative companies, we tend to forget that we are people. Recognizing our worth in the workforce is the best defense against these corporations.