Vlogs by recent high school dropouts are becoming increasingly popular among students on Korean YouTube. This points to a shift in societal attitudes among students as they explore alternative paths in a country notorious for its hyper-competitive educational system and academic pressures.

The South Korean government is introducing a youth fund that supports young people facing severe social withdrawal. However, with a lack of trust in government policies and what could be seen as a surface-level solution to a structural problem, public opinion on the scheme seems divided at launch.

Productivity aesthetics are piling pressure on Gen Zers and Yers to optimise their lives. But the pursuit of perfection often entails low self-esteem as well as serious mental health problems like anxiety and depression. So, how can brands facilitate self-improvement without fuelling burnout?

‘Lazy girl’ jobs and ‘quiet quitting’ are slowly replacing ‘girl boss’ and ‘rise and grind’ as more Gen Zers enter the workplace and offices. This shift signals how a new generation of workers is rejecting hustle culture and looking for meaningful work that allows them to lead fuller lives.