Korean Dictionary
How to say "Passion Pay" in Korean
“Passion Pay” in Korean is 열정페이 (pronounced "yeoljeong pay").
열정페이
yeoljeong pay
Usage & Context
Slang for extremely low or unpaid work justified by passion. Used to criticize exploitative labor practices in creative industries.
Example Sentence
그 회사 열정페이야.
That company pays passion wages.
How to use 열정페이 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Passion Pay” is 열정페이, romanized as yeoljeong pay.
Usage tip
Use slang only with friends or people who already speak casually with you. It can sound rude in formal Korean.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 열정페이.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, "Yeol," sounds like "yull" in "yummy" but with a slightly more open 'o' sound, similar to "yolk" but shorter. "Jeong" is pronounced like "jung" in "jungle," with the 'eo' sound similar to the 'u' in "but." "Pay" is pronounced just like the English word "pay." Stress is fairly even across the syllables.
More Example Sentences
A student considering an internship with very low or no pay.
이 인턴십은 열정페이 수준이라 지원할지 고민 중이야.
This internship is basically passion pay, so I'm debating whether to apply.
Criticizing a company's exploitative labor practices.
그 회사는 신입 디자이너들에게 열정페이를 강요하는 걸로 악명 높아요.
That company is notorious for forcing 'passion pay' on new designers.
Someone expressing frustration about unfair compensation in a creative field.
아무리 꿈을 좇는다고 해도 열정페이만 받으면서 일할 수는 없잖아.
No matter how much you chase your dreams, you can't work only for passion pay, can you?
Cultural Context
"열정페이" is a highly critical term in modern South Korea, reflecting a significant social issue, especially in creative fields like design, film, and fashion. It highlights the exploitation of young, aspiring individuals who are willing to work for little or no pay in exchange for "experience" or "portfolio building." The term gained prominence in the mid-2010s and is frequently discussed in news, online forums, and even K-dramas that touch upon social realism, like "Misaeng" or "Record of Youth," though not always using the exact term, the concept is present. It's a symbol of the tough job market and the power imbalance between employers and young job seekers.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 열정페이 for register and audience, since Korean slang can shift quickly and may sound rude outside close friendships.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
열정페이 받지 마.
Don't accept passion pay.
열정페이 논란.
Passion pay controversy.
이건 너무 열정페이 아니야?
Isn't this too much like passion pay?
Related Expressions
무급 인턴
mugup inteon
Unpaid intern
착취
chakchwi
Exploitation
최저 임금
choejeo imgeum
Minimum wage
열정
yeoljeong
Passion (the root word)
More Slang Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Passion Pay and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
