Job title vs. actual role -- and why some companies skip both
A job title (like gwajang) marks someone's rank and seniority, while a role (like "team lead" or "division head") describes what they're actually responsible for -- so a gwajang can lead a team, or a bujang can work as an individual contributor with no direct reports. A growing number of startups and Korean offices of foreign companies skip this ladder altogether, flattening everyone into titles like "manager" or "lead," or dropping formal titles in favor of addressing everyone the same way regardless of seniority.
Being listed on the corporate registry changes what a title actually means
Above the isa rank, some executives are formally listed on the company's corporate registry as legal directors, which comes with real legal responsibility as a board member under most countries' corporate law. Others carry the exact same title internally without being registered, meaning it functions more like an honorary rank than a legally binding position. This distinction matters more for actual authority and liability than the title on a business card does, so it's worth checking a person's registered status directly if that's relevant to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the higher rank, daeri or jurim?
Daeri is generally the higher of the two. That said, plenty of companies don't use jurim as a rank at all, so the exact ladder can differ from company to company.
Which is higher, isa or sangmu?
Sangmu is typically ranked above isa. Executive title systems vary a lot between companies, though, and some even use finer sub-ranks like "acting director" or "assistant managing director" within the same company.