'Frugal spending' rising as new consumption trend in S. Korea

[@phyllo2694]

This is beginning to be a worldwide trend, people are tired of spending money they don’t have to impress people they don’t know or like!

[@blackbelt2000]

exactly, its about time

[@tiffanyruby1589]

I basically don't care anymore about make great impression to other people; I just don't want to be broke.

[@gekmas435]

😂 our goverment worried that economy wonth grow as people become frugal and not buying anything.

[@Apricot90]

People get jealous about your smallest happiness anyway and will do everything to ruin you and what you care for. I even said as a kid that I don't trust people and don't want to be always around them, was shamed, guilt tripped and even beaten by my parents for it. People HATE seeing you happy and content. You can't be easily controled.

[@titaniumtime1362]

This is just a normal cycle of life. Soon enough when people start having money again, they will keep spending again. Let us just accept this as a reality.

[@bunnyfreakz]

Luxury products is $10 sold for $1000. People need to get smarter.

[@ceasarsalad2055]

This is actually true lol. It's cheaper to actually go to Italy yourself and get a custom leather jacket that would last you years 😂

[@alistairt7544]

The big brand logos are so cringe. I just roll my eyes if I see someone wearing designers with big logos.

[@rosenia5409]

Most of the big brand items don’t even look great. Like TOMS shoes are cheap and but looks great and last me a few years.

[@fandommenace9575]

💯💯💯💯💯

[@Tasha-nm3lq]

Exactly 😅

[@ek33]

You learn as you get older that if you die only your family will be affected and the world moves on with or without you. Thus everyone needs to stop caring about what others think of you.

[@RedEyeification]

Not even your family..

[@mirkim9095]

Well I am from the Philippines and I found out that Filipinos who has lived here for more than 10 years agave been brain washed with this concept. In the Philippines, we don't mind what others think of us for as long as we have God in us.

[@sweetmiss]

You're 💯 right!

[@mytravls]

These days some families won’t be affected either. There’s no connection human to human left anymore.

[@MiaMizuno]

Frugal spending is common in Germany since decades. We love secondhand, we love Aldi and Lidl. You also see rich people with expensive cars shopping in Lidl

[@abdiellawrence397]

Rewe > Lidl

[@eugenic12]

they just spent all their money on an expensive car so they can’t afford any other premium products

[@MiaMizuno]

@@abdiellawrence397 yes, I also go to Rewe for specific stuff, but for Overall groceries, I prefer Kaufland or Lidl

[@ID_iKONIC_VIP]

Yes but Aldi in Europe is much nicer than Aldi in America.

[@Kenya1984]

I know a multi millionaire couple who shopped only at lidl in Finland. I started shopping there too, this was 10 years ago. My brother in law was like wow lidl so cheap😂 idc it saves me money and it’s still good

[@jacqueslee2592]

Let the system rot.

[@judithpriestess7781]

🎯

[@Moron-fk9oy]

On point ☝️

[@klarWorks]

I once visited Korea and discovered that dumpsters often contain items that are still in good condition and can be used. I wonder why Koreans throw away such useful things.

[@АнастасияКуликова-р2ч]

Useful but not trendy = trash. What will people say if they see you use a last year phone? Koreans really care about their image among others.

[@jaschan2006]

Hmm it could be a pride and need to always have something “shiny” new. I usually keep things around till they break including my phone even if people have newer nicer ones

[@vanessabrumage]

I'm currently here and whenever an older person dies I see a HUGE packrat level clean out. Some of the older generations literally had boxes of goods stacked up, covered in dust, and by the time loved ones came to clean out there were tons of stuff they didn't need double/triple of, and sentimental items weren't that much. So I think a good number of the younger generations don't want to get into the same habit of stacks of stuff that you don't use even seasonally, and letting it use up valuable space packed in boxes in a corner. Some older people were intentional with what they kept so their relatives were happy to not have a packed house to sort through, and what they kept was good quality meant to last.

[@jiminswriter4209]

@@АнастасияКуликова-р2чNo, it’s not necessarily about trends, but sometimes, an item is no longer suitable even if it is in good condition. A lot of people also sell or give their items away.

[@mageedays]

​@@АнастасияКуликова-р2ч yes koreans like that no change

[@prench_pries]

Interesting. I keep on seeing "Why are Gen Z so poor" reports/docus from Western and Southeast Asian media outlets and here comes 'frugal spending' from South Korea. I hope this trend will turn into a lifestyle for other countries as well. YONO - You only need one

[@kistugi7133]

South Korea (esp people live in Seoul) is a bit extreme in term of consumption and luxury products. It’s a good thing they start to adapt this

[@nickphang2293]

S. Korean spent the most money on luxury brands, gucci, LV, YsL, etc! Making Bernard arnualt very rich !! lol Just to boost their confidence! SMH 🤦‍♀️

[@jaschan2006]

I think it is called kibune which means face/pride/public image. People eventually find out their bank account is drained.

[@jiminswriter4209]

No, it is not about confidence, but wanting to look one’s best and enjoy nice things.

[@victoria14royalattic82]

@@jiminswriter4209yah and end up having credit bill over limit ….I know people who are struggling to pay

[@mageedays]

Frugal on other things, but fashion still not frugal 😂

[@NurmaBP]

It's the ilogical peer pressure to have or wear luxury or particular brands that baffled me. However seeing the amount of luxury brand ads by kpop idols, and so on, yeah I kinda understand. This whole thing as riddiculous as the Stanley cup frenzy in USA, when kids (and their mom) got bullied at school because they don't have Stanley cup.

[@Bitter_Pill_]

This is wild journalism. She’s clearly reading a pre-prepared paragraph script.

[@ddk70]

The older professor on the right was answering the questions without a script for sure.

[@hillsongbest3818]

Haha yeah, and she talks fake

[@johnlesoudeur3653]

@@hillsongbest3818 Yes she sound like a GPTChat robot...and looks like it.

[@ricci_rich]

I think they had their answers written so they can read from it. English is not their primary language so this is acceptable. 😊

[@Bitter_Pill_]

@ that’s not how journalism works on several levels. First, you can’t be given the questions you’re going to be asked ahead of time. Second, you can’t read a prepared script, despite the language barrier. Lastly, her English sounds quite alright for speaking.

[@kylybeach6298]

Laws in South Korea and Japan need to change. Both countries after a divorce can remove multiple kids from their house and give parental rights to 1 parent. The other parent even the moth who gave birth can never call her child on the phone or ever visit her children again. The man normally in South Korea and Japan are protected by the law. The man can remarry. The woman who gave birth has no kids. Extremely abusive legal systems that only represent men and not women.

[@АнастасияКуликова-р2ч]

Probably this is one if the reasons of dropping birth rate in both countries. Women stay unprotected.

[@sun-groupecommunications1331]

​@@АнастасияКуликова-р2ч no, in the West they over protect women and it is the same.

[@smileychess]

Sounds like the exact opposite of US and Canada.

[@todayisagoodday5027]

Move to America and your Matriarchy dreams will come true.

[@yellowmellow7748]

​@@smileychessexact?be so fr, no phone calls, no seeing each other at all? That's hardly what the US system is.

[@kennygo8423]

Thi is not only in S. korea, this is a worldwide trend, especially after pandemic.

[@Kiwiwanderer]

Napoleon Hill said it best….” Consume and make the other man rich , invest and make yourself rich”. Save the environment. Getting everything you want doesn’t make you happy? Live below your means. My favourite quote - “ Comfort is a cage, do hard things”.

[@ruinerblodsinn6648]

Napoleon Dynamite said it even better: „Tina, you fat lard, come get some DINNER!... Tina, eat. Food. Eat the FOOD!“

[@asweethoneybee]

This frugality mindset is not new, it has been a way of life for decades in many cultures all over the world. I am so glad that the rest of consumers are finally seeing through the facade of overconsumption and needless spending. We can all focus on what matters to us most 😌✨

[@jiminswriter4209]

This mindset exists in all cultures.

[@vn9393]

Needs vs wants. If you can answer this question then you will be fine.

[@shhas1483]

The best spending trend is not spending at all

[@AndreaHallissey-qe4lb]

Love the challenge of finding a bargain.

[@jeffreyjackson5229]

You should have been spending frugally all along as long as what you eat is nutritious. That's more that you can save for when hard times come.

[@Vroomfondle1066]

Save money = less jobs = less money = more saving = less jobs = less money = more saving = ...

[@krism5575]

You realized eventually that you enter this world naked, you'll leave this world naked. The real blessings are waiting in heaven. 💛 Cannot be stolen, won't rust, everlasting.

[@teebone2157]

We need thisbtrend in the US

[@ghostbird92]

I heard of this anticonsumption trend starting up in the US ("under-consumption core"), but we got a looooong ways to go.

[@johnc3525]

With Trump's tariffs this will happen involuntarily. People will become poor.

[@buckeyedav1]

A lot of us do that when I am in the thrift stores here in Ohio (USA) a lot of young people are in the thrift stores including couples. We are killing our planet with our over consumption and over production and hopefully this trend will continue. Anna In Ohio

[@rogerstarkey5390]

US citizens have been indoctrinated in the practice of not just Consumption, but OVER-Consumption

[@EmmaAbigail-p5w]

I think if prices continue to rise, which seems likely with proposed tariffs, the US will get here.

[@cassieson498]

In the Philippines, we love Ukay😂 Those are second hand goods from other countries such as clothings, bags, etc. Saves a lot of bucks. Money spent wisely🤗

[@mageedays]

Basura na sa ibang bansa, pwede pa sa pinas oyeah

[@Boc3phu5]

This has nothing to do with trends of fashion or trends of environmentalism. This has everything to do with people's behavior in wanting to consume but not able to afford so they choose the next best alternative which are second-hand goods. This indicates that the world wants to spend money but they can't. And so they choose to buy things that are cheaper.

[@victoria14royalattic82]

Totally agree with you

[@Boc3phu5]

@@victoria14royalattic82 It is the addiction and habits of spending that maintain people to buy new. And mostly women spend and they are willing to do what ever to maintain the habit of buying. Even if it means downgrading to spend at a second hand store.

[@Djalanidhi]

This start happening also in Indonesia, higher number of unemployment, higher tax leads to higher prices, yet the government keeps having corruption issues...

[@k3qever413]

In the Philippines too. It's crazy because people keep voting for corrupt officials here.

[@Djalanidhi]

@@k3qever413 i believe, there will be point where South Asia countries rise together to fight this corruption.

[@Eliasu1150]

finally!!!, people aren't materialistic anymore

[@jiminswriter4209]

A lot of people aren’t materialistic. You just choose not to see that.

[@Eliasu1150]

@ south koreans are different, they are materialistic

[@Eliasu1150]

@ south koreans are different, they are materialistic.

[@mageedays]

You wish!😂

[@Alpha_Q_up.]

Annyeong everyone! Merry christmas

[@AA4PJM]

In global human history, frugality is the norm. Over consumption and ostentatious living is abnormal but fits perfectly with this shallow, self centred time in our history.

[@12wonton]

It is cultural and societal development. Korea has been a heavy image conscious society. Many new wealthy try to show off their wealth or act as if. Wiser spending habits will help in advancing a society. Currently it is high fashion, Style, materials. Unsustainable generation that burns a lot more money than they generate.

[@mmuk5903]

They are trying to make people believe that frugal spending is a choice and "way of life" when it is directly related to the economic situation, that causes lack of opportunities (unemployment), excess of pressure, cost of living etc. The male professor tried to show that but the lady professor (who read her statements so those were pre-prepared) all the time deviate the focus to "choice" and conscient consume.

[@jamiek1714]

If you are not frugal, you are wasting money.

[@filausopoako]

You only need one. Learned something new today

[@khanhtranvan8761]

I used to made $15k per month and i never bought any brand name product that most people always dream of buying , my most spend are on good food . All the brand name are just bunch of scam , people fall for it because they never selling anything in their live and don't know the cost of those products they are buying .

[@andydondy6444]

If you disregard the so called luxury items..the LVs, the guccis and the apples..you find out you r loaded👍👍

[@blueamenaa749]

It's true.😊

[@corpojp6624]

Oh seriously? Always a label to make things more palatable . How about we focus on corporate greed ?

[@NHJDT]

That lady is reading her answer

[@abdiellawrence397]

Typical Korean.😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@sqvishykilla]

Yes

[@karmauturn]

as long its a good answer!

[@victoria14royalattic82]

@@karmauturnthat’s now how journalism is supposed to be ….

[@kellybeaulieu4723]

Younger people finally lived through real struggling that our elders did in times of war and pandemics. If you want to survive on your own you have to hold back your spending. Housing and transit cripple your finances, spending is the only thing you can slightly control.

[@marianagaoka9687]

We are tired of the American lifestyle. Spending, throwing away, repeat.

[@jamiek1714]

You know how to be frugal? Log every single expense like JD Rockefeller.

[@janewick1082]

I think everyone did a fantastic job with this report. Everyone was very informative and eloquent in fleshing out the shift in consumer priorities.

[@doitforsoup]

the world is truly in another recession period

[@Absolutely-Elle]

The word “Frugal” spending should be replaced with “Smart” spending. Spending on items of superficial value is at the end of the day, not only absurd but pointless. Spending hundreds or thousands of hard earned money on a branded item, could be better spent on things that are more meaningful and practical, bringing more value into our own lives and others. At the end of the day, what good does it bring if one is showing off their branded objects on the surface and having instant noodles three meals a day behind closed doors?

[@tiffanyruby1589]

good topic to discuss , kudo to arirang news :)

[@ykjo5613]

11:16 this man is so adorable. I wish he was my dad😂 he's so hip with the lingo, but so right at the same time!

[@magickittenz]

Yeah, I love Korea and I love frugal, because you realise the value “harder”.

[@pushniqa]

"Consumption trend" and its just everyone is broke now

[@HotRod16]

During Covid pandemic made me reorganize the priorities. Branded stuff is needed for quality, not impressing others. Realizing I may just collapse the next day, the importance of treating ourself better make me consider the career ladder. Why put myself so much pressure while I should balance my life with more time for my own then working super hard and holding higher post with more stresses. Of course income is not growing as much as I take a step back but taking a step back on shopping is well worth it. Now can do some sports, cheap holiday and food trips.

[@akask6458]

Brand names do not mean quality. A lot of brands have downgraded quality.

[@HotRod16]

@akask6458 Agree. Not all branded are good these days. But some product brands we know are good for their purpose. Just a general idea. Branded stuff a degree of quality still.

[@irenemanuel4217]

times are hard. less money in your pocket mean less spending. less is more these days.

[@eugenic12]

The other day I noticed how much clothes I have in the closet and I barely wore them, some pieces I haven’t even tried to wear.

[@cindyramos5957]

I love being thrifty

[@jgas2235]

I'm disappointed at the fact these guests are reading out a script. This doesn't happen in other Eastern countries' English-language news channels on KZbin. It echoes what I saw in Korea in 2011-12, I went to scientific symposiums in English and people would read out texts, not talk among themselves.

[@hawaiipreppersnetwork808]

People don't have money bottom line. Inflation is global.

[@betsybesa6795]

Frugal people are smart. They rather spend there money with something else worth spending likr vacations or food, than on something that is just trendy or branded.

[@Buttercookiesssss]

We have to learn how not to get affected by what other ppl think of us by judging on material things

[@draugno7]

It is harder for them to learn English because Korean differs so much from English. She pronounces amazingly, it may sound a little robotic but still!

[@SamPetunia]

Korea has a robot professor.

[@eienbeau]

It's like they got the questions beforehand and prepared the answers. That lady professor obviously "read" her answers.

[@28naveenator27van]

the lady professor's English is really awkward . so hard to understand The guy is so much more natural and understandable. This frugal trend is likely to be a long term one. Such as it is in China and Japan.

[@hellodddd33134]

she is reading off of a script it sounds like

[@heyim]

Ya she reads it off the script

[@rogerstarkey5390]

@28naveenator27van Well, you COULD learn Korea?

[@serenabee1475]

Agreed.😅

[@jiminswriter4209]

Frugality has existed in all cultures, but some people just like to focus on materialism.

[@atexaninkorea1773]

I think Lotte Mart charging $8 for a single apple is starting to pay dividens.

[@ajohonly3721]

Between 2019 and 2022 I was nicely frugal , then I fall off very hard and now going back this is my first week.

[@ZaiyaFineArt]

this video pisses me off we arnt being frugal to be trendy....yall make stuff to expensive

[@operamom3303]

Clean up for 2025 , declutter, hit the 2nd hand shops its going to get good, and buy fakes not $3,000 handbags!!

[@Miss_Primrose]

I support this movement, honestly I wanna save up in the world of growing prices.

[@charzemc]

Frugal spending is a good idea because it's the uber rich that ultimately benefit from spending, especially when they buy brand name clothes, scents & accessories

[@angelicasoup638]

Don’t buy any food because it goes bad quickly, and they can’t keep their inventory stocked every day.

[@mirkim9095]

Trivial. December 2024. I went to a 2nd hand shop to buy a winter jacket. I found a particular one that I liked very much. The owner told me that this costs 30,000 won. So I left and went to another 2nd hand clothing store in Mokpo. I found 2 jackets that I like but I know I must buy only one since I have a drier machine at home. I went to the owner to compare the prices of the two chosen jackets. But to my surprise, it was 12,000 for both!

[@slowlywakingup]

This won't last because the thrift stores will eventually become greedy and increase the prices. It's happened in my country. I used to be able to get cheap, but good-quality clothes which you can wear for a long time, but now it's more convenient to go to a cheap fashion brand and buy new ones.

[@IinIrish]

Smart speakers

[@joshuarojas9282]

After you spent all your money, now you want to live frugal??? I wonder how much debt everyone has. Don’t forget to pay the interest on your credit cards.

[@simplifiedpinoy1474]

When you have the choice, it is best to ACT poor,than become it or end in it and realize you are on your own.Enjoy quality food, sufficient shelter, and few clothes for basic necessity. Focus your happiness on non material ways because when we die, we bring nothing.

[@zacchk]

The other lady is reading from chat gpt

[@GWoo22]

This was also the first thing I noticed. 😂

[@hazecliff7173]

This is me until it’s 2am and Jennie posts something on ign and suddenly I bought something.

[@Ann-hm7gj]

Health is proirity

[@joclark1896]

Pre Covid I cared so much about what people thought of me based on what I own. Post covid (obviously cost of living has played a part) but I just don’t care about brands anymore and care more about what people think of me based on who I am

[@zhangruyi3153]

Korean people have got smart. Well done!

[@MyPrasad1984]

is this an online face to face viva exam where candidates are prone to cheat by looking at the answers at their disposal ? Also it looks more like an Audition for a Role or an Interview for a Call Centre Job ? By the way , it quite obvious - I am referring to the lady professor to the left Ms. Shin .

[@Miss_Primrose]

Hahahahhaha

[@janicep11]

The average debt that a South Korean carries is $78K (US Dollar). That is absurd to hear!

[@Ann-hm7gj]

That's ridiculous. If it's student loans then it's ok.. Almost $80,000 in debt? No way man take a year and pay off that debt

[@cjanvier1536]

American Gen Z do not really care about luxury brand . Value with quality are most important to them.

[@영어회화-r8l]

1. consumption trend 2. rising inflation

[@rico5146]

0:26에서 ongoing보다 undergoing이 맞지 않나요?

[@godzillamothra5983]

it is every where, I used to watch movie at least once every week, not anymore.

[@ponPokoPon_tv]

in my country, this is our lifestyle since our ancestors. Not a trend.

[@ly8682]

"You will own nothing and will be happy." -WEF

[@QuinzaHandsew75]

Not only korea maybe part of in the world to take the frugal living

[@anthonynorris1016]

I am 59 and 20 years ago I took this route...swimming against the tide...

[@rosemarysvideos7]

I like the concept of "YOLO consumption," that's not quite what I was doing when I bought unnecessary things, but it sounds nicer. I also used to work with co-workers from Yolo county.

[@youpratibhatube]

With all due respect…I can’t believe South Korea and frugal spending??….sorry, but ones material possessions are the benchmark in the SK society to be considered just good enough to exist, forget about anyone is actually living a purposeful life or not, as long as one bleeds brands from everywhere possible they are acceptable in South Korea…sorry just saying from personal experience.

[@raydevega]

I skipped as the female prof. Answering the questions.

[@Angie_cheeks]

1:50 Shin Eun-kyong is reading us an article online instead of giving us her own opinion. I could have done this segment.

[@sarahchang6215]

@@Miss_Primrose jealous much?

[@sarahchang6215]

@ you have anger issues and come across as extremely critical. What’s your beef? Are you Korean? You must be

[@AltaicPride01]

@@Miss_Primrose”you are crazy” lol How eloquent! Your English sucks too so I wouldn’t be talking

[@AltaicPride01]

@@Miss_Primrosecan you do better? I don’t see you speaking in front of camera. I dare you

[@ekaterinavalcheva9025]

After every sentence I hear “Right!”

[@adis.g6569]

worldwide, being forced to be frugal, got no money

[@je8z6x]

This is worldwide

[@roymichaeldeanable]

No evidence Just opinion

[@BlissOn47]

We’re going through a recession. What do you expect? This is so stupid.

[@MsKorearock]

I've no choice but to be frugal. I think it's more of a natural phenomenon than a trend.

[@PapaOscarNovember]

Bad news for French exports?

[@AuntieKim]

WORLDWIDE… WE’RE BROKE!!

[@notyourbestie]

The guests are reading their answers hahahaha.

[@ddk70]

I don't think the older professor on the right is using a script. He is answering naturally.

[@kawaiidere1023]

I saw another video where someone wrote his answers to an interview in English in advance then read them aloud. I’m guessing they might’ve written responses in advance so they could use English smoothly and have more cited information

[@jnslml14]

Less demand low prises.

[@yongkysiaw6597]

Took them this long to realize it's better to have money rather than looking fancy but broke? Wow.

[@deicide6403]

i dont care how expensive luxury products are, just make necessities like groceries, electricity and rent cheap.

[@marigoldbeam5475]

This has to be one of most boring, turgid news interviews I have ever see. The interviewees, the lady professor in particular, seemed like they were reading pre-prepared answers and lecturing their students. Long, uninterrupted, unanimated monologues. 😴

[@vivacemusic1210]

Not doing so well anymore huh.

[@AndersonCo-e3e]

shes more concern on her accent and reading skills lol