Koreans Choose Experiences Over Things: Rise of 'Homo Experiens'
Creatrip Team
23 days ago
Malls and brands in Korea are selling experiences rather than just products. A 10-km running race inside Starfield Suwon shopping mall sold out in 10 minutes after 1,000 spots opened. Lotte and other retailers are creating interactive programs (e.g., themed saunas and escape rooms) to attract customers. Consumers are spending less on goods but opening their wallets for live events and travel: last year ticket sales for performances hit a record 1.7326 trillion won, and 29.55 million Koreans traveled abroad. Experts call this shift 'Homo Experiens' — valuing memorable experiences that can be shared over owning rare or expensive items.
