Still Searching for Jobs or Certifications in Your 50s? Why I Chose Senior Blogging
‘m preparing for retirement as a senior blogger—because it’s a job I can do even when I’m old.
Hello, I’m Yeon-Soo Kim, born in 1966 and the owner of joygymn.com.
Yes, I’m a grandmother now—but just two months ago, I took on the challenge of learning WordPress, and today, I proudly run my own independent, monetized WordPress blog. Would you like to hear my story?
A Dreamy Girl with Braided Hair
Back in my school days, I was the girl who carried around books by Luise Rinser, Jeon Hye-rin, and Hermann Hesse, dreaming big dreams in the quiet corners of the library.
Even as a young girl with braided hair, I carried a deep desire in my heart:
If you’d like, I can continue translating the rest of your story, or help you polish this into a personal branding piece for your blog’s “About” page. Would you like that?
Suyeon Kim
Perhaps it was that longing from my youth that led me, three years ago—just as I stepped into my senior years—to enroll in a local poetry school offered through a partnership with a regional university.
To write again, I began visiting the library. I sought metaphors for better poems, and somehow, I felt like that young, braided girl once more. My days began to fill with energy and meaning. Surrounded by shelves of classics and poetry collections, writing—once unfamiliar—started to feel natural again.
And deep inside, I realized:
Becoming a Grandmother Who Does WordPress
Then, one day, quite by chance, I stumbled across a YouTube channel called WPlaybook.
It felt different. There was none of the usual flashy showmanship. Just a quiet sincerity—this man named Issac, in a hoodie, sometimes flashing a shy smile. He felt more like an engineering student than a typical influencer, and somehow, I trusted him.
One video led to another… and on February 15th, 2024, I sent Issac an email.
Looking back now, I can say with absolute certainty:
Mastering WordPress Like a Game
Starting with Isaac’s help on the initial setup of my WordPress blog, I began learning new WordPress functions daily. Eventually, mastering WordPress felt as thrilling as clearing levels in a game. Initially, my writing process involved painstakingly drafting sample posts—writing a line, then deleting it—until I found my rhythm.
When I first started writing, I actually wrote a line from the sample post, erased a line, and started like this… lol.
Suyeon Kim
After sending my first email to Isaac on February 15 and working diligently for about two and a half months, my WordPress blog had AdSense ads running by May 9! Although the income was minimal, I had achieved “online monetization” by having people read my articles and earning revenue from them.
WordPress, Cadence, Hosting… I didn’t know so many things, but I’m doing WordPress, and I’m even making money from it! It’s a heavenly thing to do, right?
I’m the girl with the forked hair in school, now I’m a grandma with a blog and WordPress who’s taking her first steps towards monetizing her online business.
Hey, have you seen any old ladies with WordPress around?
Suyeon Kim
WordPress Becoming Comfortable
Initially, WordPress felt extremely difficult, but now it allows me to write seamlessly, much like using a Naver blog. In fact, I now find WordPress more convenient than Naver or Tistory blogs.
Previously, I used to draft my writings in a Hangul (.hwp) file before pasting them into my blog. But now, I structure my posts directly using H1 titles, H2 subheadings as foundational pillars, and H3 sections for fleshing out details. I even underline key points with H4 styling, making content formatting effortless.
The Benefits of Writing on WordPress
Initially, WordPress felt extremely difficult, but now it allows me to write seamlessly, much like using a Naver blog. In fact, I now find WordPress more convenient than Naver or Tistory blogs.
Previously, I used to draft my writings in a Hangul (.hwp) file before pasting them into my blog. But now, I structure my posts directly using H1 titles, H2 subheadings as foundational pillars, and H3 sections for fleshing out details. I even underline key points with H4 styling, making content formatting effortless.
My First WordPress Site, Joygymn.com
I chose Joygymn.com as my first WordPress site. Joygymn was my English name when I worked at the Hyatt Hotel. While “Joy” is understandable as it means happiness, why wasn’t my surname Kim? There’s a backstory!
Becoming Joygymn
At International Hyatt, all documents were in English, and every employee used an English name. The General Manager (GM) was, of course, a blonde foreigner, and he had a habit of embedding a code in employees’ names that linked them to their respective departments for easier recall.
At that time, I was the SPA & Fitness Manager, and to remember both me and my department, he replaced “Kim” with “Gymn.” Who would have thought that this name would become my English identity and personal brand to this day?
Over my long tenure in the hotel industry, I have accumulated countless memories. Among them, the most unforgettable event was the planning of the “Jeju, Wind, and the Wandering Chef Sandang’s Natural Cuisine” event, which featured the late Chef Lim Ji-ho.
Meeting Sandang completely changed my perspective on cooking. Observing him, I came to see cooking as a comprehensive art form, and the chef as the conductor of an orchestra at the heart of that artistic process. Inspired by this revelation, I left the hotel industry and embarked on a new path as a chef.
From Hotelier to Chef and Cooking Blogger
In 2014, he started a restaurant in Jeju and went all-in on cooking.
After leaving the hotel industry, I transitioned into the culinary field. I started my food business in Jeju in 2014, and thanks to my hotel experience, I quickly gained success. My restaurant became so popular that people lined up, and at peak times, daily revenue exceeded 4 million KRW. Starting from a leased 18-pyeong space, I expanded within two years by purchasing a prime 160-pyeong beachfront property in Hanlim.
Currently, I run my business in my own building—a three-story shop—celebrating the tenth anniversary of my restaurant, Yeonhwamong.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of my store , YeonhwaMong.
Joygymn Dreams of a Professional Cooking Studio
Currently, I am developing Joygymn.com into a professional cooking blog, consistently posting content related to food.
As blog traffic increases, I plan to rebrand my business as Cooking Studio Joygymn.com. My future vision includes taking reservations for menu items featured in my posts, transitioning to cooking classes and social dining experiences. Had I not discovered the power of branding, I wouldn’t have even imagined such possibilities.
Rather than cooking for a broad, undefined audience, I aspire to be a specialized chef—curating culinary experiences in a dedicated cooking studio.
Joygymn
Moreover, a professional cooking blog presents far more attractive opportunities than AdSense revenue—it thrives on collaborations, sponsorships, and partnerships. Cooking is all about equipment, and for me, product sponsorships are the ultimate revenue model. Can you believe that some kitchen tools cost as much as a car? It’s true! Take brands like Saladmaster from the U.S. or Thermomix from Germany, for example. Owning such tools is a source of pride for chefs.
Beyond Jeju Island to the world
I am preparing for retirement and planning to live in Vietnam. As I created and managed my website, I had a realization: I should build my own brand! Finally, I have awakened to the power of branding! 😊
I believe that once I have accumulated around 1,000 articles on my website and reached a daily visitor count of 10,000—which I estimate will take about three years—my vision will become a reality. Recently, I purchased a new domain:
Can you already guess what I have in mind? 😆 I am dreaming of expanding Joygymn’s Cup Tteok brand beyond Jeju, first into Vietnam, and eventually into the global market. By creating an English-language website, I plan to launch the Cup Tteokbokki brand worldwide, and the thought of it excites me immensely!
Closing Thoughts
I am looking forward to an incredibly exciting journey in my later years. Over the next 20 years, I will travel to different countries, run my business, and live life as a grand adventure—treating work as if it were a game!
Cooking has been the second act of my life, and being a professional blogger marks the beginning of my third act. This journey started with WPlaybook, and I can already visualize how it will unfold and grow.
