"Passionate Mediator?" MBTI Penetrating Korean Society, Should Be Enjoyed for Fun

Using MBTI in Blind Dates, Interviews, and Relationships
'Beyond Fun' Applications Should Be Avoided

The MBTI test was created in the 1940s. Based on the test results, individuals can be classified into 16 types such as extroverted and introverted. The photo shows the screen of a website that provides the MBTI test service.

[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] "You’re an I (Introvert)? I thought you were an E (Extrovert)!"

The MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) personality test has recently become hugely popular among people in their 20s and 30s, raising concerns that the MZ generation might be overly obsessed with it.

MBTI is a personality test that categorizes personalities into 16 types based on indicators such as extroversion vs. introversion, sensing vs. intuition, thinking vs. feeling, and judging vs. perceiving, expressed as a combination of four English alphabet letters. It was created in the 1940s in the United States by mother and daughter Katherine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers, based on the theories of Swiss psychologist Carl Jung. It is known to have been used during World War II to help women find suitable jobs.

Although it is a simple personality test, it is widely used not only among friends but also in blind dates and corporate interviews. A woman in her 20s, Ms. A, who recently went on a blind date, said she felt uncomfortable because of MBTI. When she revealed that she was an INFP, her date said, "You lack empathy and live in your own world." Ms. A said, "I only mentioned my MBTI, but it felt bad that someone I had met for less than 10 minutes was judging me."

Meanwhile, some part-time jobs and corporate interviews require applicants to submit their MBTI test results. In fact, one job posting explicitly states that the 'MBTI result' must be submitted. Another part-time job posting says, "INFP, INTP, INTJ applicants not allowed." Among applicants, complaints such as "Is personality now a qualification?" are emerging.

Some companies are using MBTI-related questions during the interview process, and MBTI is being utilized in various parts of society. Foreign media have analyzed this as an inappropriate phenomenon.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, according to the 'Youth Employment Issue Survey' announced by the Ministry of Employment and Labor on the 19th, among 752 companies surveyed (252 of the top 500 companies by sales and 500 mid-sized companies), only 23 companies (3.1%) asked MBTI-related questions during the hiring process. Among these 23 companies, 6 said that MBTI results did not affect hiring decisions.

Nevertheless, the fact that MBTI was asked about during interviews or other processes has drawn criticism as inappropriate. Mr. B, a job seeker in his late 20s, said, "The results are not reliable, and using personality type tests during interviews itself is problematic," adding, "Even if it doesn’t greatly affect the outcome, the interview atmosphere could change depending on MBTI results."

As cases of using MBTI in blind dates, corporate interviews, and other social settings increase, foreign media have also pointed out that this is not an appropriate phenomenon. On the 23rd (local time), CNN in the United States analyzed that Korea’s MZ generation actively uses MBTI to find dating partners, choosing people whose MBTI matches well rather than wasting time getting to know each other.

The MBTI company Myers-Briggs Company also issued a caution. Cameron Nott, Asia-Pacific head, said, "We are very pleased with MBTI’s popularity in Korea," but added, "Using MBTI to find a compatible romantic partner is not appropriate."

He said, "There is a saying that 'opposites attract,' right? If you exclude potential partners just because they have a different MBTI type, you might miss the chance to form an exciting relationship with a wonderful person."

A psychological counselor emphasized, "The MBTI type content itself can be interesting, but human types cannot be divided so simply," adding, "If you apply it too much to your personal life, such as relationships or corporate interviews, side effects may occur."