consumption

Haeryun Kang
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Being Frugal, Not YOLO, Is South Korea's New Fad

Who knew that a podcast analyzing receipts could create such a sensation? That’s all there is to the recording: A South Korean comedian breaks down somebody’s monthly expenditures and rates the spending based on the contributor’s income and long-term financial goals. Two comedians sit

Se-Woong Koo
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"Adulkid": The Accelerating Evolution of Homo Consumens

The adage that β€œchildren will be children” may not hold true in South Korea. Adding to the pressures faced by kids to excel in academics and god knows what else, a new social trend revolves around the concept of β€œadulkid,” aimed at making children look and behave like adults. At

Se-Woong Koo
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Sibal Biyong: Spending Toward Meaning of Life

Lately it seems that all over Seoul there are vending machines full of plush toys, known as the β€œclaw machine.” You insert money, then control the mechanical hand to fish objects inside the clear glass box. In most cases the effort ends in failure. At first I wondered if anyone

Jieun Choi
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β€œIcon of Debt”: S Korea's Most Sought-After Celebrity

Seven years ago, he was banned from major television channels after being convicted of running an illegal gambling business. Today, Lee Sang-min is one of the most sought-after celebrities in South Korea. He is a permanent panelist on 11 television shows. In May, he ranked first in a celebrity

Seohoi Stephanie Park
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T.G.I.F: Will Leaving Work Early on Friday Boost Consumption?

Starting this month, the South Korean government is hoping that a little more free time can boost lagging consumption and a dreary economy. A program will soon take effect that allows government workers to leave work at 4 p.m. on the last Friday of each month. The government