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Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Can Korea‘s 'text-hip' reading craze outlive the hashtag?
As reading habits evolve alongside technology and lifestyle shifts, South Korea's 'text hip' moment may be less about returning to old routines and more about inventing new ways to engage with books When Gim Ji-min arrived at the Seoul International Book Fair 2025 in June, she thought the buzz on social media was exaggerated. 'I honestly assumed people were just hyping it up on Instagram,' said the 26-year-old sociology Ph.D. student. 'But the moment I stepped inside, I knew this was different. Every trendy book-themed tote bag, keychain, and bookmark had already sold out.' She wasn't alone in her surprise. Over five days, more than 150,000 people packed Seoul's Coex convention center. Tickets sold out weeks in advance, prompting official apologies from organizers. Rumors spread of scalpers reselling passes for triple the original price. Most attendees were women in their 20s and 30s, snapping photos of minimalist book covers and whimsical literary merchandise. Gim doesn't see herself in the stereotype of a 'heavy' reader. 'I read a lot, especially nonfiction and social science, but I borrow more than I buy," she said. But the "festival-like mood" of the book fair reignited her interest in actually purchasing one. At the center of the frenzy is a Korean trend called "text hip." The phrase refers to the idea that reading is not just enriching or productive, but stylish, trendy and socially shareable. After American model Kaia Gerber said in an early 2024 interview with The Guardian that 'reading is so sexy,' the expression took off globally, including Korea. By the time Han Kang won the Nobel Prize in literature in October, the phrase text hip had already become a recognizable trend among younger readers and across reading communities. But does this enthusiasm reflect a return to reading in South Korea? Or is it just another lifestyle craze, more about looking literary than actually reading? What the numbers say According to the country's authoritative biannual National Reading Survey, the data complicates the common notion that Koreans don't read. In fact, it suggests that people in their 20s and 30s have long maintained relatively high reading rates. It helps explain the strong turnout for events like the book fair. The most recent 2023 report showed 74.5 percent of Koreans in their 20s had read at least one book (excluding textbooks) over the previous year. While this was still the highest rate among all age groups, it also represented a steep decline from 91.1 percent recorded eight years earlier. The number of physical books young Koreans consume annually fell sharply during that same period, dropping from an average of 11.4 books per person to just 2.5 books. What prevented the numbers from plunging even further was the rise of digital reading; e-book consumption among Koreans in their 20s more than doubled in the same span. Yet even with this increase, the overall reading trend confirms that even younger Koreans today are reading far fewer books than before. Still, that doesn't mean they aren't engaging with books at all. Kim Nam-young, who is part of the National Reading Survey team at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, told The Korea Herald that the survey only captures part of the picture. 'To survey reading rates, we only count completed books,' she explained. 'But what we're missing are all the new ways people are interacting with books now. While this isn't unique to Korea, it does mean we're probably underestimating how many people are actively participating in reading culture." "At some point, we may need to rethink how we define reading altogether.' Yoo Ji-eun, a 29-year-old project manager in Seoul, considers herself part of the 'text hip' generation. But she rarely reads books cover to cover. In April, she joined Hip Dok Club, a new reading initiative launched by Seoul Outdoor Library. The name combines 'hip' and 'reading,' and the concept struck a chord. All 10,000 membership slots filled in under two hours, with the website initially overwhelmed by traffic. Hip Dok Club rewards a wide range of book-related activities, from logging titles and posting quotes to sharing handwritten excerpts. Members earn points, level up, and receive exclusive items like reading lights and limited-edition merchandise. It functions less like a book club and more like a literary social platform. An outdoor club-exclusive discussion with novelist Park Sang-young, author of "Love in the Big City," drew hundreds. Yoo attended that talk and said the experience rekindled her interest in Park's novel, even though she hadn't finished it the first time. 'It felt like a music festival,' she said. 'People were there not just to read, but to experience books together.' Will Korea's 20-somethings still read in their 40s? To skeptics, 'text hip' and the craze over events like this might look like style over substance. But Baek Won-geun, former research head of the National Reading Survey and now director at the Book and Society Research Institute, isn't so quick to dismiss it. 'Sure, it's easy to roll your eyes,' Baek said. 'But if buying book-related merchandise, joining clubs or posting literary quotes eventually draws someone deeper into reading, then the trend serves its purpose.' Baek's larger concern is South Korea's steep decline in reading among older adults. While other countries experience a gradual decline, in South Korea reading drops dramatically as people age. Only 36.9 percent of Koreans in their 50s read even one book in the past year, and for those 60 and older, the figure plunges to just 15.7 percent. 'The challenge is building lasting habits,' Baek explained. 'The million-dollar question I'm interested in is this: whether young people will sustain their interest in reading, or text hip as they call it, even as life becomes busier and responsibilities increase.' "Reading has long been treated as something we outgrow once school ends. But if text hip helps people see books as part of adult life, not just academic life, then the habit can survive the busyness. Not necessarily because we are trying to be readers in the traditional sense, but because books can become part of how we live," said Gim Ji-min.
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Can Korea's 'text-hip' reading craze outlive the hashtag?
As reading habits evolve alongside technology and lifestyle shifts, South Korea's 'text hip' moment may be less about returning to old routines and more about inventing new ways to engage with books When Gim Ji-min arrived at the Seoul International Book Fair 2025 in June, she thought the buzz on social media was exaggerated. 'I honestly assumed people were just hyping it up on Instagram,' said the 26-year-old sociology Ph.D. student. 'But the moment I stepped inside, I knew this was different. Every trendy book-themed tote bag, keychain, and bookmark had already sold out.' She wasn't alone in her surprise. Over five days, more than 150,000 people packed Seoul's Coex convention center. Tickets sold out weeks in advance, prompting official apologies from organizers. Rumors spread of scalpers reselling passes for triple the original price. Most attendees were women in their 20s and 30s, snapping photos of minimalist book covers and whimsical literary merchandise. Gim doesn't see herself in the stereotype of a 'heavy' reader. 'I read a lot, especially nonfiction and social science, but I borrow more than I buy," she said. But the "festival-like mood" of the book fair reignited her interest in actually purchasing one. At the center of the frenzy is a Korean trend called "text hip." The phrase refers to the idea that reading is not just enriching or productive, but stylish, trendy and socially shareable. After American model Kaia Gerber said in an early 2024 interview with The Guardian that 'reading is so sexy,' the expression took off globally, including Korea. By the time Han Kang won the Nobel Prize in literature in October, the phrase text hip had already become a recognizable trend among younger readers and across reading communities. But does this enthusiasm reflect a return to reading in South Korea? Or is it just another lifestyle craze, more about looking literary than actually reading? What the numbers say According to the country's authoritative biannual National Reading Survey, the data complicates the common notion that Koreans don't read. In fact, it suggests that people in their 20s and 30s have long maintained relatively high reading rates. It helps explain the strong turnout for events like the book fair. The most recent 2023 report showed 74.5 percent of Koreans in their 20s had read at least one book (excluding textbooks) over the previous year. While this was still the highest rate among all age groups, it also represented a steep decline from 91.1 percent recorded eight years earlier. The number of physical books young Koreans consume annually fell sharply during that same period, dropping from an average of 11.4 books per person to just 2.5 books. What prevented the numbers from plunging even further was the rise of digital reading; e-book consumption among Koreans in their 20s more than doubled in the same span. Yet even with this increase, the overall reading trend confirms that even younger Koreans today are reading far fewer books than before. Still, that doesn't mean they aren't engaging with books at all. Kim Nam-young, who is part of the National Reading Survey team at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, told The Korea Herald that the survey only captures part of the picture. 'To survey reading rates, we only count completed books,' she explained. 'But what we're missing are all the new ways people are interacting with books now. While this isn't unique to Korea, it does mean we're probably underestimating how many people are actively participating in reading culture." "At some point, we may need to rethink how we define reading altogether.' Yoo Ji-eun, a 29-year-old project manager in Seoul, considers herself part of the 'text hip' generation. But she rarely reads books cover to cover. In April, she joined Hip Dok Club, a new reading initiative launched by Seoul Outdoor Library. The name combines 'hip' and 'reading,' and the concept struck a chord. All 10,000 membership slots filled in under two hours, with the website initially overwhelmed by traffic. Hip Dok Club rewards a wide range of book-related activities, from logging titles and posting quotes to sharing handwritten excerpts. Members earn points, level up, and receive exclusive items like reading lights and limited-edition merchandise. It functions less like a book club and more like a literary social platform. An outdoor club-exclusive discussion with novelist Park Sang-young, author of "Love in the Big City," drew hundreds. Yoo attended that talk and said the experience rekindled her interest in Park's novel, even though she hadn't finished it the first time. 'It felt like a music festival,' she said. 'People were there not just to read, but to experience books together.' Will Korea's 20-somethings still read in their 40s? To skeptics, 'text hip' and the craze over events like this might look like style over substance. But Baek Won-geun, former research head of the National Reading Survey and now director at the Book and Society Research Institute, isn't so quick to dismiss it. 'Sure, it's easy to roll your eyes,' Baek said. 'But if buying book-related merchandise, joining clubs or posting literary quotes eventually draws someone deeper into reading, then the trend serves its purpose.' Baek's larger concern is South Korea's steep decline in reading among older adults. While other countries experience a gradual decline, in South Korea reading drops dramatically as people age. Only 36.9 percent of Koreans in their 50s read even one book in the past year, and for those 60 and older, the figure plunges to just 15.7 percent. 'The challenge is building lasting habits,' Baek explained. 'The million-dollar question I'm interested in is this: whether young people will sustain their interest in reading, or text hip as they call it, even as life becomes busier and responsibilities increase.' "Reading has long been treated as something we outgrow once school ends. But if text hip helps people see books as part of adult life, not just academic life, then the habit can survive the busyness. Not necessarily because we are trying to be readers in the traditional sense, but because books can become part of how we live," said Gim Ji-min.
Techday NZ
09-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Samsung strengthens 2025 TV range with QLED advancements
Samsung has launched its 2025 television range in New Zealand, introducing major upgrades across its Neo QLED 8K and 4K models, with a clear focus on AI-driven performance, quantum dot innovation and premium viewing experiences. The launch strengthens Samsung's positioning in the high-end display market and highlights the company's continued leadership in QLED technology. Topping the range is the Neo QLED 8K QN990F, featuring Samsung's most advanced display innovations to date. This model incorporates the new NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor, 8K AI Upscaling Pro, and Vision AI - all designed to autonomously optimise picture and sound quality. Also debuting is the first 8K Wireless One Connect Box, enabling clutter-free installation with wireless signal transmission up to 10 metres. "While outstanding picture quality and immersive sound remain essential, today's Kiwi consumers are looking for much more when choosing a TV," Tura Gim, Group Head of TV & Digital Appliances, Samsung New Zealand, said. "Features like seamless access to a wide range of apps, enhanced connectivity, and user-friendly design have become increasingly important. Samsung's Vision AI brings all of these elements together, offering intelligent, adaptive capabilities that redefine what a TV can do - delivering a more personalised and autonomous experience with every use." The QN990F is joined by the QN900F, both offering 33 million pixels, Dolby Atmos audio, and Pantone-validated visuals with Samsung's glare-free technology. The QN900F features a near-flush metal frame, catering to high-end customers seeking seamless integration into modern living spaces. At the core of Samsung's display innovation is its proprietary QLED technology, developed over more than a decade. Quantum Dot LED (QLED) technology delivers exceptional colour accuracy, brightness, and contrast—making it an ideal choice for premium displays used in gaming, film, and high dynamic range (HDR) content. "Samsung continues to set the standard for performance and reliability in the premium TV market," said Mr Gim. "By applying our most advanced quantum dot innovations, the 2025 Neo QLED 8K and 4K ranges deliver an experience that is not only visually stunning but highly intelligent and responsive to the way users watch and interact with content." This year's Neo QLED 4K line-up also sees notable performance enhancements. The flagship QN90F, available up to 98 inches, introduces the NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor for improved upscaling, visual clarity and adaptive sound. The QN80F's 100-inch model and the QN90F's 98-inch model include AI-driven Supersize Picture Enhancer, ensuring crisp detail is maintained across larger screens - an increasingly important factor for premium consumers investing in home cinema setups. Samsung's Motion Xcelerator technology, now up to 240Hz on select models, targets demanding gamers and sports fans, while Neo Quantum HDR+ and Quantum Matrix Mini LEDs ensure high contrast and dynamic range in dark and bright scenes alike. Samsung's QLED evolution also extends to its lifestyle range. The Frame Pro, a newly upgraded version of the popular art-focused TV, brings Neo QLED 4K technology and the NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor to a model known for its aesthetic versatility. It's the first art TV to offer wireless 4K transmission and is Pantone ArtfulColour validated for realistic art reproduction. A 144Hz refresh rate and Motion and Brightness Sensors combine performance with energy efficiency and ambient adaptability. The entire 2025 Neo QLED and QLED TV range now offers access to Samsung's Art Store, previously limited to The Frame series, transforming even flagship models into digital galleries. Generative Wallpaper, powered by Vision AI, allows viewers to create customised visuals based on their tastes - bridging technology and personal expression. For those prioritising security in their connected homes, all 2025 models are protected by Samsung Knox, the company's enterprise-grade security platform. With every new SmartThings-compatible device connected, Knox protection expands, helping users create a secure and integrated smart home environment centred around their TV. As part of its long-standing quantum dot development, Samsung has continued to refine its materials and display architecture. Since introducing the world's first cadmium-free quantum dot displays in 2015, the company has invested heavily in research, resulting in over 150 patents and key breakthroughs including blue self-emitting QLEDs - historically the most difficult to manufacture. "Samsung's distinctive quantum dot technology has once again overcome technical barriers," Dr Eunjoo Chang, a fellow at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, said in an earlier company statement regarding quantum dot innovation. "These discoveries are helping us redefine picture quality and display longevity for the premium market." With the 2025 range now available from leading retailers, Samsung is aiming to solidify its status as the global leader in premium televisions. For technology enthusiasts, gamers, and cinephiles alike, Samsung's new QLED line-up is designed to deliver cutting-edge performance, intelligent features, and sleek design - which meets expectations of premium users. As the global leader in TV innovation and the driving force behind QLED technology, Samsung continues to set the benchmark for picture quality and viewing experience.
Korea Herald
08-02-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
Gim So-hui wins silver in women's alpine skiing slalom at Winter Asiad
Gim So-hui won silver in the women's alpine skiing slalom event at the Asian Winter Games in China on Saturday. Gim finished in second place with a total of 1:34.06 after two runs at Yabuli Ski Resort, some 200 kilometers southeast of the main host city of Harbin. Chisaki Maeda of Japan got the gold in 1:33.50. Gim clocked 47.85 seconds to place second behind Maeda (47.29) in the first run. The two skiers posted the identical time of 46.21 seconds in their second runs, as Maeda held on to win by 0.56 second. Eren Watanabe of Japan won the bronze in 1:34.92. Gim had also competed in the previous Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan, in 2017, but failed to finish her second run then. Only the women's and men's slalom events will be contested in alpine skiing at this year's Asiad. The men's slalom race is scheduled for Sunday, with South Korea's Jung Dong-hyun seeking his second straight gold medal. (Yonhap)
