"Spending 5000 Won on Bubble Tea... Get Down!" The Story of Being Scolded in the Beggar's Room

MZ Generation Tightening Their Belts: 'Geojibang' Experience
Reporting Items and Costs in Chatroom Every Time They Spend
"It Helps with Saving, Hope It's Not Seen Only as Stingy"

Editor's NoteThis year, credit card spending among people in their 20s has noticeably decreased compared to other age groups. Facing a direct hit from the economic slowdown and employment crisis, they have minimized their expenditures. Among the MZ generation, who used to flaunt luxury consumption on social media (SNS), an SNS open chat room called 'Geojibang'?where users anonymously share and evaluate their spending?has become popular. How is 'Geojibang,' which started with the purpose of drastically reducing consumption, operated, and what actual effects does it produce? As a member of the MZ generation, the reporter voluntarily took on the role of a 'Geoji' (pauper) and shares a two-month experience of 'Geojibang.'

"Excluding medical expenses, including filial piety expenses"…What are the rules of Geojibang?

[Photo by a community's 'Geojibang' screen capture]

Anyone who wishes can easily join Geojibang. If you search for 'Geojibang' in the KakaoTalk search bar, you will find hundreds of chat rooms.

There is one rule that applies uniformly across all Geojibang rooms: you must disclose your spending details in the chat room.

For example, if you bought lunch for 7,000 won, you simply post "Lunch 7,000 won" in the chat room.

Other rules are freely set and managed by each room.

In the room I belonged to, the rules included ▲recording cumulative amounts next to nicknames ▲spending conscientiously within one's means for a month ▲excluding medical expenses, communication fees, transportation costs, and housing costs from the cumulative amount.

The rules of the Geojibang to which the author belongs. At the end of the month, the Geoji King award ceremony is held.

The reason for excluding these amounts is the principle of not skimping on essential living expenses.

All other expenditures must be recorded without exception.

I spent a large amount on gifts for my family with my first paycheck. Wondering if such expenses could be considered luxury, I asked, "Should filial piety expenses be included in spending?"

The firm answer was "Of course."

Thanks to this, I was confirmed as the 'Geoji King of the Month' before mid-May.

[Image source=Getty Images]

Participants are free to leave comments on others' spending amounts.

There was an incident where a participant was caught 'overspending' by sending paid emoticons in the chat. Another participant gave a warning, saying it was an "emoticon purchase inducement." To prevent encouraging paid emoticon consumption, only free emoticons are allowed.

Other playful yet pointed remarks followed, such as replying "You yourself are the gift" to a spending entry about buying a birthday present, or saying "You can borrow it from the library" when someone mentioned buying a book to copy by hand.

At the end of the month, the top three Geoji Kings who spent the most money must write a handwritten apology letter. The format is free, but the reason for the high spending must be clearly stated.

Asked if Geojibang actually helps save money…What were the answers?

When one participant used an emoticon, another participant warned, saying it was an "emoticon purchase inducement."

So, does Geojibang actually help save money? I asked the 'Geojis' in the same Geojibang.

When asked why they joined Geojibang, unsurprisingly, the most common answer was "to save money." Some, like me, joined after hearing rumors that it was trendy and asked friends for invitations.

When asked if Geojibang actually helped save money, most answered "yes." Because they had to disclose spending every time and record cumulative amounts next to their nicknames, they felt they shouldn't spend more.

One participant said, "Thanks to Geojibang, I avoid buying things one or two times out of three," and added, "It really helps."

Witty conversations took place, such as telling a participant who mentioned visiting a wine bar, "If you share the wine bar information, it's free."

Regarding the somewhat bitter views on the Geojibang trend, participants responded, "You don't have to think about it so gloomily."

While there is a serious purpose to save money, they also share anonymous saving tips from daily life and turn some discomfort into humor.

In fact, in Geojibang, witty conversations often occur, such as "If you give me the info, I'll set you to zero won too," or "No matter what, are you eating Malatang without meat? ... 3,000 won added for the crime of being ungrateful!" For some, it might be a game that captures both money and fun.