How young South Koreans are dealing with burnout, loneliness, anxiety

Called dopamine sites, the platforms come in various shapes and sizes. Some are designed like popular food delivery apps, while others, as online smoking rooms.

Representational image | Pixabay

New Delhi: Gen Z in South Korea is turning to ‘dopamine sites’ to deal with loneliness, fatigue, and anxiety. Designed like a food delivery app or simulating a smoke break, these platforms help users satisfy cravings while not actually indulging in them.

Kim, a 25-year-old office worker, told Hankook Ilbo that he often uses a fake food delivery app to ease late-night cravings.

“There are many times when I crave food late at night but hold back to save money. It feels like a real delivery app, so I somehow keep looking at it,” Kim said.

The name of the site he uses is a spoof of a popular food delivery app. Some apps even include delivery times and star ratings to make the experience feel more real. All that the apps lack is the actual transaction.

“I don’t end up ordering anything, but it feels like it relieves a little stress,” Kim added.

Zoning out online

Korean youth are increasingly turning to dopamine sites for quick stimulation. A smoke break site, named after Korean slang for the activity, offers a “start” button and a real-time display of users online, simulating the atmosphere of taking a break together without actually smoking.

Lee, a 24-year-old college student, visits the site during exams or while he is struggling to focus during assignments. The messages on the app show that it is nothing but a joke.

“I’m getting through another day,” read one such text. Another user wrote, “I want to go home.”

The idea that others are present in the small virtual space offers more comfort than the conversation itself.

“When I go on the site while studying alone, it feels like other people are struggling, too, so I somehow feel less lonely,” Lee said. Kim’s delivery app experience is similar: it’s like zoning out for some time.

The trend is much like Mukbang videos—except it’s not about entertainment. And its rising popularity is a symptom of burnout among Korean youth.

“This is an era marked by uncertainty about the future and burnout,” Kim said. “People now tend to find comfort simply in feeling loosely connected online.”