9 out of 10 People in Their 20s Say "I Took a 인증샷 at an Exhibition"
"Taking 인증샷 at Exhibitions Disrupts Viewing"
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] # Recently, Kim (23), who visited an exhibition, had an unpleasant experience. The noise of people taking photos everywhere was distracting, making it difficult to properly appreciate the artworks. Kim expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "Everyone is busy taking pictures in front of the artworks," and added, "It seems like there are more people coming to take 인증 photos than those who come to appreciate the exhibition."
As the number of 2030 generation enjoying cultural activities increases, more people are visiting exhibitions not to appreciate the artworks but to take photos. Some criticize that photography disrupts others' enjoyment of the artworks. Experts say this phenomenon is related to the desire for showing off.
The number of people taking photos at exhibitions and uploading them on social networking services (SNS) is increasing. According to a survey conducted by University Tomorrow in 2017 targeting 537 people in their 20s who had experience visiting exhibitions, 9 out of 10 (89.6%) answered that they had taken 인증샷 at exhibitions. Also, 61.3% responded that they had uploaded 인증샷 on SNS.
University student A (25) said, "If I find a piece I like at an exhibition, I often take photos," adding, "Nowadays, photo zones are well set up at exhibitions, so many others take pictures too."
He continued, "In the past, exhibitions felt very formal, but recently, with photo zones being set up and more people visiting exhibitions, the barriers seem to have lowered."
Some express dissatisfaction with those who take photos at exhibitions, arguing that prioritizing 인증 photos over appreciating artworks disrupts others' viewing experience.
University student B (25) said, "At exhibitions, everyone is busy taking pictures. Even if I try to enjoy the exhibition leisurely, I just skim through the artworks because people behind me are waiting to take photos," adding, "After experiencing this several times, I gradually stopped going to exhibitions."
Meanwhile, some people take photos recklessly at exhibitions where photography is prohibited. Office worker C (27) said, "Many exhibitions do not allow photography due to copyright or artwork damage concerns. But at a recent exhibition I visited, someone took photos recklessly because they liked the artwork so much."
He added, "Even though the staff informed them that photography was not allowed, they responded with an attitude like 'So what?' which was absurd," and continued, "In the end, it just ruined the mood, and I couldn't enjoy the exhibition. I wish people would familiarize themselves with the basic exhibition guidelines before coming."
Experts analyze that the psychology of the 2030 generation taking 인증 photos is related to the desire for showing off. Professor Kim Nando of Seoul National University's Consumer Studies Department said on YTN, "Showing off is a basic human psychology," adding, "Showing off is closely related to consumption. Taking selfies makes people care about things they didn't care about before."
He continued, "SNS used to be mainly text-based, but nowadays, there are many SNS platforms where only photos are posted. In other words, SNS is shifting to an image-centered format," and said, "When people go to expensive restaurants, sometimes it's to taste the food, but often it's to post on SNS that 'I came to this nice restaurant.'"
Professor Kim added, "From the perspective of advertising, marketing, and PR, considering 'Where and how to take the best selfie' is an important issue."
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