WSJ Highlights Trend of Pet Stones in Korea
"Koreans Endure the Longest Working Hours"
"Raising Stones to Find Unchanging Calm"
Foreign media recently reported that 'Pet Rocks' are becoming a trend among Koreans, who are raising stones like pets. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) introduced the Korean 'Pet Rock' trend in an article titled "Overworked Koreans are taking breaks with Pet Rocks" on the 17th (local time).
WSJ pointed out that "(Koreans) endure the longest working hours among industrialized countries" and explained that they raise stones to find unchanging tranquility.
Mr. Lee, a 30-year-old pharmaceutical company researcher, told WSJ, "I often confide in the stone about the hardships at work," adding, "Of course, the inanimate stone cannot understand my words, but I feel comforted as if I am talking to a pet dog." Mr. Koo, 33, said he carries his Pet Rock 'Bangbangi' in his pocket whenever he goes for a walk or exercise, and shared, "I feel a kind of calmness from the fact that this stone must have endured many processes to become what it is now."
The media saw the rise in popularity of Pet Rocks as related to idols. It analyzed that interest was sparked in 2021 when members of popular idol groups such as Seventeen and Tomorrow X Together (TXT) personally revealed their Pet Rocks.
A representative of a domestic company handling Pet Rocks said that they receive 150 to 200 orders per month, and recently have been selling not only basic gray stones but also pink rose quartz.
The concept of raising stones like pets did not first emerge in Korea. In the late 1970s, a mid-level employee at an American advertising company introduced 'Pet Rock,' which involved selling small stones in boxes as gifts, creating a sensation. However, unlike in the U.S., where Pet Rocks were a kind of prank to tease the gift recipient, WSJ noted that in Korea, they are popular as a means to obtain calmness and silence.
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