#1. Bank transactions are full of the number 18, such as “18″ won and “1818″ won. Number 18 is commonly associated with a curse word due to its similar pronunciation in Korea. Who deposited such cursive money into the account? It was none other than the account owner herself, ordinary 7-year employee Kim Hyun-jin. She opened a free savings account and deposited 18 won, 1818 won, and so on whenever she felt angry.
#2. The hamster picks up a host with its front paw and eats it, making a crunchy sound. This time, the tiny creature eats a piece of steak. Hear another biting sound. Next, cabbage. The sound of the radish being cut is vividly heard. Remarkably, a YouTube short-form video capturing less than a minute of the hamster eating food has amassed 1.83 million views. An office worker, A, now watches so-called “animal mukbang videos” until falling asleep.
These two seemingly unrelated examples have something in common. Both who deposit 18 won into their bank account and an individual who watch videos of hamsters chewing on their hosts agree that those activities “relieve stress.” Among Generation MZ, “18 saving accounts” and “animal mukbang” have gained popularity. Instead of going outside to release their anger, they opt to save money to pay off their anger and watch videos of animals eating in silence at home. Experts attribute this phenomenon to Generation MZ’s ultra-individualistic nature and unique sense of humor.
Kim recently opened an “18 savings account” and documented her experience in her blog. Just reading the transaction notes on her account is enough to evoke frustration in readers. One reads, “Annoying that they call and only talk about themselves,” 1818 won deposited. Another reads, “Sending a company message at 3 a.m.,” 1818 won deposited. The transaction notes vividly describe the endless list of work hardships and stress.
Opening an “18 savings account” is simple. Choose a flexible savings product that allows deposits of any amount at any time. The shorter the maturity date, such as 3-6 months, the better for quick access to savings. The savings account does not have to be necessarily named 18, but anything that serves to express anger. The deposit amount is also up to the owner, such as “4444,” symbolizing death in Korea.
When workers experience frustration or are aggravated by their so-called boss, they deposit money into a bank account with only the numbers 18 or 4. They may add a few swear words to the note, finding peace in the thought of enacting some form of small revenge. So far, Kim has deposited 18 times, totaling 32,724 won. “It’s also comforting to know I’ve saved,” Kim said.
Kim is not the only person who does this. There are countless related content on X (formerly Twitter), including some posts like, “They dumped a load on me right before quitting time. It reminded me of Soju, so I stashed away 4,444 won in my “18 savings account.” It’s a small amount of money, but he or she spends it all on themselves when it’s due. Some treat themselves to a 100,000-won-worth omakase restaurant experience they’ve been eyeing, despite it being labeled as “extravagant,” or splurge on items they’ve long desired but couldn’t afford.
Many animals appear in mukbang or meokbang (a live-streamed video where viewers watch the host eat). There is a pet turtle eating broccoli at a literally “turtle-like” speed (15.5 million views), a chubby pet mini pig eating six sashimi (820,000 views), and a pet flying squirrel eating pupae (2.22 million views).
Generation Z and millennials are attracted to animal videos for two reasons. Firstly, animals exhibit more natural eating behaviors than humans, which appeals to viewers. Secondly, amidst the prevailing trend of extreme eating challenges, such as consuming large quantities of ramen or pork belly in one sitting, individuals seek alternative content that doesn’t pressure them to overeat.
The inherent cuteness of animals further enhances the viewing experience. Videos of adorable animals, like a fluffy rabbit enjoying strawberries (1.33 million hearts) or a dog savoring “bossam (boiled slices of pork belly)” and “kimchi” tailored for canines (2.55 million views), garner significant attention and positive reactions on platforms like Instagram. The videos’ ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response), like “chomp chomp” and “slurp,” contribute to the overall appeal. “They are a combination of everything that young people love about social media videos, including the cute looks and soothing sounds,” said a man named Kim, a 28-year-old employee.
Everyone can relieve stress “alone” and “quietly.” Some analysts suggest that the individualistic nature of Generation Z and millennials may contribute to the above-mentioned trend, as they tend to address their challenges independently without causing harm to others. This phenomenon reflects a “quiet endeavor” among young people who do not express their anger or depression outwardly. Cho Min-jung, a 23-year-old college student, exemplifies this approach. She recently withdrew 62,499 won from her “18 Savings account”, which she had diligently saved for eight months, to attend her favorite singer’s concert. Cho expresses reluctance to discuss her struggles with friends, fearing it will exacerbate her feelings of depression. She wishes others to recognize her efforts to overcome challenges and find solutions, embracing her uniqueness instead of judgment or criticism.
Experts say, “We don’t know if it really relieves stress, but it is clear that Generation Z and millennials’ way of relieving stress differs from the older generation.” “One of their characteristics is that they don’t even have a “mentor,” unlike the 4050 generation, who used to seek advice from older sisters and brothers with more life experience,” said Song Jae-ryong, an adjunct professor of sociology at Kyunghee University. “Instead, they seek solace and advice from friends in the same situation online, commenting on each other’s animal videos and sharing their savings.”
