MZ generation

In South Korea, MZ generation (Korean: MZ세대; RR: MZ-sedae) is a neologism to describe the demographic cohort comprising Millennials and Generation Z. While other cultures often separate the generations as distinct groups, MZ is more commonly used in South Korea. The term is often used, but it has also been criticized for being too broad and conflating the identities of people in their teens, twenties, thirties, and forties.

The term was coined by marketing professor Kim Nan-do [ko], and popularized through his 2019 book Trend Korea. MZ generation was preceded by the 2010s terms N-po generation and sampo generation, which refer to the idea of giving up on achieving life goals such as job security, marriage, and homeownership.

In 2021, The Korea Herald reported that the MZ generation—defined as Millennials (those born 1980–1994) and Generation Z (those born 1995–2004)—made up 35.5% of South Korea's population, with 3.43 million members. In 2020, about 54.9% of Millennials (1980–1994) and 50.2% of Generation Z (1995–2005) lived in the Seoul metropolitan area.

According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, the phrase MZ generation "was meant to describe a rising cohort of digital natives who are socially conscious, tech-savvy, and trend-sensitive." The MZ generation is also the most educated and globally connected generation in South Korea, and has desire for better work–life balance. Regarding trends in consumption, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism wrote that 2024 report by Statistics Korea stated that the MZ generation was characterized by "YOLO" (an outlook that prioritizes personal happiness), "meaning out" (consuming in a way that reflects one's values), and "flex" ("consumption to show off one's existence"). Of the MZ generation, academics Kim Uichol and Kim Jisun write: "They are not the passive, indifferent or individualistic, as described by the media. They are using their purchasing power to point out problems and boycott negative behaviours among businesses and governments.": 219  While previous generations of Koreans relied more strongly on family networks, the MZ generation values friends and online communities.: 221 

See also

References

  1. ↑ Waltzer, Jamie (2021-02-22). "In Korea, 'MZ' Generation Is a Real Thing". Business Korea.
  2. ↑ Hoon, Moon Ki (January 13, 2025). "South Korea calls them 'MZ.' Young people are having none of it". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2026-10-19 – via Asia News Network.
  3. 1 2 3 Joon-hyun, Moon (2025-11-02). "S. Korea's generational labels keep failing — so why do we keep using them?". The Korea Herald (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-10-19.
  4. ↑ Tiwari, Shristi (2022-11-14). "Inside the minds of the MZ Generation". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2026-10-19.
  5. 1 2 Lee, Michael (2025-07-04). "[WHY] Does calling young Koreans the 'MZ generation' oversimplify their differences?". koreajoongangdaily. Retrieved 2026-10-19.
  6. ↑ Seo, Jessie; Yeung, Yoonjung (2022-07-23). "How South Korea's dating scene fell in love with a World War II era personality test". CNN. Retrieved 2026-10-19.
  7. ↑ "'MZ generation' accounts for 35.5% of Seoul's population". The Korea Herald. Yonhap. 2021-08-04. Retrieved 2026-10-19.
  8. 1 2 Lee, Dasom (March 26, 2024). "Statistics Korea releases analytical report on millennials, Gen Z". Korean Culture and Information Service. Retrieved 2026-10-19.
  9. 1 2 3 Kim, Uichol; Kim, Jisun (2022-09-01). "Economic Development, Sociocultural Change and Quality of Life in Korea: Analysis of Three Generations Growing up in Colonial, Industrial and Digital Age". Psychology and Developing Societies. 34 (2). SAGE Publications India: 200–239. doi:10.1177/09713336221115550. ISSN 0971-3336.
  10. ↑ Rashid, Raphael (2023-06-18). "Death from overwork: young Koreans rebel against culture of long hours". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-10-19.
  11. ↑ "Work-life balance is priority for Korea's MZ Generation". 동아일보. Retrieved 2026-10-19.
  12. ↑ Yi, Whan-woo (2025-10-03). "Chuseok traditions shift as MZ Generation embraces digital connections, overseas travel". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2026-10-19.