This study is to examine variations of reading habit, non-formal learning participation and literacy skills among the middle-aged(50-65 years old) population in South Korea adopting the Bourdieu’s cultural capital and reproduction theory. Empirical results from PIAAC(Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies) data analyses demonstrate that those with more education and high skilled jobs tend to enjoy reading more frequently and to participate in non-formal learning in South Korea. In terms of home advantage, reading habitus is not closely associated with parents’ education but the number of books at home in adolescence matters for reading habit in the Korean middle-aged population. Indeed, the daily reading habit is related to an increase score in the PIAAC literacy assessment for the Korean middle-aged adults taking account of other key variables(gender, intergenerational SES, having a paid-job) associated with adult literacy skills. To illuminate a detailed pathway from social origin to literacy skills, I apply Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis. The SEM finds strong indirect effects of social origin on reading habit and the non-formal learning participation via the middle-aged’s social status (education and occupation). It is also discovered that the reading habit and non-formal learning participation play a mediating role in the relationship between intergenerational attainment and literacy skills of the Korean middle-aged adults. In closing, I further discuss the inequality issue on reading, non-formal learning participation and literacy skills of the Korean middle-aged population from the intertwined theoretical perspectives in the sociology of education.