Hwang Hyeon-dong lives in a 6.6 m2 room, with a shared toilet and kitchen, near the university in Seoul at a monthly rent of 302 USD.

Such rooms were previously rented in temporary accommodation by students during the civil service review period. Today, they are tending to become a regular home for young people like Hwang.

He claimed to belong to the "spoonful" class, only those born in low-income families, it is almost impossible to rise up in the hustle and bustle of Korean society. "If I try to get a good job, can I afford a house," Hwang, 25, said. "Can I close the gap that is already too big?"

The concept of "earth spoon" and "golden spoon" have long existed in Korea, but became popular in recent years. Contrary to "earth spoon", "golden spoon" is the term used to refer to those born in wealthy families.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in came to power in 2017 on the promise of a fair future both economically and socially. However, after half a term, he has not done much to convince young people who believe that they are suffering from deep inequity in society.

Instead, the income gap has increased since he took office. Top earners now earn 5.5 times more than those in the bottom. This figure was 4.9 times before the time he took the presidency.

Hwang, a third-year communications student, said the corruption scandal involving former justice minister Cho Kuk was a wake-up call to his "spoonful" class. Hwang once believed that hard work can make a difference.

Cho and his wife were accused of abusing their positions to help their daughter enter medical school in 2015. . However, Cho's statements became counterproductive when he resigned in October after the corruption scandal of his family members. His wife now faces falsification and financial fraud.

For young Koreans struggling to survive, the scandal involving former minister Cho has sparked the largest series of protests during President Moon's tenure. It shows how far the "golden spoon" class goes, thanks to its financial footing and status from its parents.

According to a survey of 3,289 people in September, three-quarters of the respondents said parents' background is the key to their children's success.

"I can't complain that we have different starting points," said Kim Jae-un, 26, who also lives in a cramped apartment like Hwang. "But I am angry because there are people who are improperly supported. It will be okay if someone goes to school and I have to work for a living, but the fact that they are wrongly supported makes me angry."

Kim works as a part-time waiter at a bar near the school and is paid $ 341 a month. Most of his meals consist of rice mixed with eggs, half an onion and a sauce.

Young low-income voters like Kim turned against President Moon, sending his credit rating to a record low. Moon's support for voters aged 19-29 fell from 90% in June 2017 to 44% in October, according to a poll conducted by Gallup Korea. Meanwhile, support for the President from the low-income group has dropped by 44 percentage points since mid-2017.

"President Moon has always talked about fair opportunities, a level playing field and justice. But I feel like I have been betrayed by the current situation far different from what he promised," said Hwang, who vote for Mr. Moon, share.

Older workers also began to feel discontent when President Moon sought to improve employment opportunities and social justice for young workers.

In a meeting broadcast on television last week, Moon admitted he failed to deliver on his promise and that the drop in young support is evidence that he has let them down.

Meanwhile, the golden spoon is becoming a popular gift in Korea, replacing the traditional gold ring that parents gave their children on their first birthday, in the hope that they will have a rich life.

According to Kim Jong-min, the leader of the Youth Taeil civil group, which specializes in helping young job seekers and seasonal workers, the concept of "golden spoon" and "earth spoon" is widely shown in films, The song in Korea reflects the bitter despair of those "nothing".

"The powerful people in the Moon administration and the ruling party consider themselves reformers, but they are still old politicians who cannot listen to the misery of the income class. low, "he commented.