"Did You Exercise Today?" The MZ Generation Enjoying 'Ohawoon' [Heo Midam's Youth Report]

8 out of 10 Adults "Pay Attention to Health Management"
MZ Generation, 'Home Training' Craze
Experts "Young People Exercise to Relieve Depression"

Hikers resting at the summit of Baegundae Peak in Bukhansan. Photo by Asia Economy DB

Editor's NoteHow is your youth remembered? From teenagers to college students and office workers, we deliver the joys and sorrows, worries and laughter unique to 'youth.'

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] # Kim (26), a job seeker, starts each day with a light jog every morning. In the evening, he watches home training videos and focuses on strength training and stretching to maintain his health. Kim said, "I don't exercise simply to become healthy. It's the sense of accomplishment and pride after exercising that keeps me going." He added, "I usually go hiking on weekends," saying, "It costs nothing, and while hiking, I can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery, so it's killing two birds with one stone."

Recently, as the COVID-19 pandemic has prolonged, a movement to make exercise a daily habit has spread mainly among young people. It has been found that young people choose to exercise to improve their health and gain a sense of accomplishment. As interest in exercise has increased, a new term called 'Ohhaun' has even emerged. 'Ohhaun' is an abbreviation of 'One Day Exercise' and was named one of the top 10 trends in 2021 by Professor Kim Nando of Seoul National University's Consumer Studies Department. Experts suggest that exercising can help overcome lethargy and depression.

As the COVID-19 situation has continued for over a year, more people are focusing on health management. According to a survey conducted by market research firm Embrain Trend Monitor on 1,000 adults aged 19 to 59 nationwide with exercise experience, 80.7% of respondents said they "usually pay attention to health management."

Especially, interest in exercise is high among young people. They mainly do home training by watching exercise-related videos on YouTube or enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking.

Young people's interest in exercise is also reflected in related consumption. At Shinsegae International's JAJU, sales of home training equipment increased by 59% from November last year to January this year compared to the previous year. Among these, the purchase share of people in their 20s and 30s accounted for more than 60%.

A citizen is exercising at a gym in Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Asia Economy DB

Office worker Oh (29) also recently purchased home training equipment such as a gym ball and foam roller. Oh said, "Due to the impact of COVID-19, I started working from home, and opportunities to meet acquaintances decreased, so I felt my stamina weakening," adding, "I bought related equipment to start exercising at home."

In this regard, it was found that there are about 33,000 posts on Instagram with the hashtag '#Ohhaun' as of the 16th. One netizen posted a hiking certification photo with the hashtag '#Ohhaun,' saying, "I burned out my exercise today as well. Although it's tough while exercising, the sense of accomplishment when returning home is thrilling."

Another netizen said, "'Corona Blue' relief is definitely exercise. When I was just at home, I felt gloomy for no reason, but exercising definitely made those thoughts disappear," adding, "My goal is to take a sea profile photo in June by exercising consistently."

Experts analyzed that young people are using exercise to relieve depression caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor Kwak Geumju of Seoul National University's Department of Psychology said, "Young people have become more lethargic compared to before due to COVID-19. The job market has frozen, and opportunities to meet acquaintances have decreased, so they often feel depressed or low-spirited," adding, "In such situations, if they do not even make plans, there is a high possibility of wasting time. To use time meaningfully, young people set goals such as exercise. The sense of accomplishment felt when achieving these goals can serve as a foundation for achieving bigger goals later."