Life&Culture
Inside Gen Z In series
Giving Korea's new generation a voice
#Gen Z
# Young generation
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Inside Gen Z In series
Giving Korea's new generation a voice
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Why are Gen Z always at cafes?
TWe asked 10 Gen Z Koreans, many of them at cafes, about their relationship with coffee Korean youth seem to always be at cafes. They read books, study or simply are there to get outside the house. On
So long, backpacking. Young travelers are opting for package tours
There was a time when a dog-eared guidebook, a rail pass, and a massive backpack were all young travelers needed to explore Europe or Southeast Asia. They squeezed into night buses, slept in noisy hostel bunk beds and dined on street food, with the only fixed point in their itinerary being the return flight home. Getting lost was part of the adventure. For today’s Generation Z travelers, that no longer holds the same appeal. They want to minimize discomfort and safety risks while maximizing effi
July 12, 2025 - 09:00:00
Why these Gen Z women are ditching heels for good, or have never worn them
High heels — once a staple in many women’s wardrobes — have long been loved for how they add height, elongate the legs, and elevate an outfit. But today, it’s quite hard to spot anyone wearing them on the street. For many women in Generation Z, heels feel almost foreign, as they have never owned a single pair or seen their peers wearing them either. To find out why high heels have lost their place in Gen Z women’s wardrobes lately, we spoke with four women in their twenties about why heels no lo
June 17, 2025 - 10:22:02
Digital gifting was convenient — until it started to feel like new social obligation
Twenty-three-year-old Kim begins her day the way many young Koreans do — by checking her phone. As she scrolls through unread messages on the messenger app KakaoTalk, a small gift icon appears next to an old classmate’s profile. It’s his birthday. Kim hesitates. They haven’t spoken in over a year, but she remembers he sent her a delivery food coupon last fall. After a moment of deliberation, she returns the gesture with a Starbucks "gifticon" of equal value. That tiny icon, built into Korea’s mo
June 10, 2025 - 11:30:51
Why do so many Korean Gen Z still live with their parents?
Despite social pressure to leave home and “grow up,” a vast majority of Koreans in their 20s still live with their parents. A 2022 survey found that 81 percent of South Koreans in their 20s lived with their parents — the highest rate among member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In Korea, these young adults, many of whom remain financially dependent on parents as well, are often labeled the “kangaroo tribe,” likened to baby kangaroos living in their mothers’
May 3, 2025 - 09:59:00
Hey Gen Z, how’s dating going?
Single, taken or married, eight Gen Zers talk love, relationships and commitment Do love and relationship dynamics change across generations? Are there distinct traits that define a generation’s approach to romance? Asking the right questions can reveal much. In South Korea, some such questions include "What would you do if your parents disapproved of your relationship or marriage?" "Would you marry someone you met on a dating app?" and "Would you date a feminist?" (for men). We asked eight Gene
April 6, 2025 - 10:01:00
Gen Z speaks out on stereotypes, misperceptions
The Korea Herald interviewed nine Gen Z individuals to explore their views on how the media stereotypes their generation “I quit! It took me two hours to get to work, so pay me for that.” This line, delivered by a Generation Z new hire in a popular YouTube comedy skit, has come to symbolize the perceived work ethic of young people, resonating with over 3 million viewers. In Korean media, Gen Z is often portrayed as disconnected from traditional company culture, prioritizing individuality and res
Feb. 11, 2025 - 09:05:00
Korea calls them 'MZ.' Young people are having none of it
Kim Ga-hyeon rolls her eyes when asked about being part of the "MZ generation," a term commonly used in South Korea to describe young people in general. "We're talking about people who could be my aunts and uncles," says the 21-year-old part-timer at a Yongsan cafe. "When I think of older Millennials, I think of my bosses, not my peers." She's referring to a Korean phenomenon that combines two distinct generations into a single category -- a practice that has left many young Koreans feeling misu
Jan. 11, 2025 - 16:00:00
Where are Korea’s young part-timers eager to work? It's not cafes
Young Koreans seeking part-time gigs are increasingly looking for opportunities at trendy stores and pop-up events, while convenience stores remain their No. 1 choice, an online recruiting firm specializing in part-time and temporary job listings said Monday. Alba Heaven’s 2024 analysis of keywords searched on its website and app revealed that "yogurt ice cream" spiked nearly 14 times, reflecting the local food trend. Searches for "Yoajeong" and "Yogurt World," two leading franchises specializin
Jan. 6, 2025 - 15:13:22
Why are Gen Z always at cafes?
We asked 10 Gen Z Koreans, many of them at cafes, about their relationship with coffee Korean youth seem to always be at cafes. They read books, study or simply are there to get outside the house. On dates, they check out the trendiest cafes. Their trips to getaway destinations almost always include visiting trendy local cafes. But what does coffee mean to young people? The Korea Herald spoke to 10 Generation Z individuals about coffee's significance in their lives. ‘Takeout prices should stay a
Dec. 24, 2024 - 10:33:56
Gen Z students want answers about grades, and they're not afraid to ask
A new wave of assertiveness is sweeping through South Korean universities, challenging long-held traditions of professorial authority. Today’s students are becoming increasingly vocal about their academic rights, especially concerning grades. "When I first started teaching here, students would barely come in after major exams to ask for clarification," said a Korean professor who wished to be identified simply as Don. He has been teaching international relations at a private coll
Dec. 20, 2024 - 13:41:09
Gen Z spending habits: What do they prioritize?
"I recently bought several wood models" Ryu Hye-won, 24, female For Ryu, a graduate student, a childhood love for building wood models has grown into a cherished hobby. "The cute, colorful designs of these models draw me the most. But beyond their look, what keeps me coming back is the sense of achievement I feel when I complete a model," she said. Unlike the often unresolved nature of academic work, wood models provide her with a sense of closure and accomplishment. She sh
Dec. 20, 2024 - 13:39:11
