Koreans feel most comfortable when home alone: survey

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Contrary to the popular belief that home is a place for family time and activities, many Koreans say they feel truly comfortable only when they are home alone, a survey showed.

Global home interior and furnishing company IKEA surveyed 37,428 consumers in 38 countries and found that two out of every five or 40 percent of Korean respondents said they feel most comfortable when home alone.

The rate of 40 percent was the highest among the countries surveyed, with the average being about 30 percent.

Only 14 percent of Koreans said they enjoy spending time laughing with their family, which was the lowest among the 38 countries and far below the average of 33 percent. Also, just eight percent of Koreans said childrearing is a rewarding experience, far below the global average of 22 percent.

A man in his 20s surnamed Jang is an example of a Korean who wants to be home alone rather than spending time with his family.

"I'm still in university and haven't finalized my plans for post-graduation. I want to avoid being constantly nagged by my family about not doing what I'm supposed to do every time we gather for dinner. I simply want some space and for them to let me make my decisions independently," Jang said.

The student said he will be prepared in due time and finds it frustrating when family members repeatedly ask him the same questions.

“Sometimes I feel like screaming. I want to be left alone. Having a conversation with my family is something I’ll never enjoy. I have to sit through dinner because I have to, not because I want to. I want to be in my room without anyone bothering me,” he added.

An office worker in his 30s surnamed Kim said he stays in bed for hours after he wakes up on weekends just to savor the moment of being alone.

The man, who works in a sales department, said interactions with customers, his superiors and co-workers at the office can be quite stressful especially in light of the highly competitive work culture.

"Some days, I feel utterly exhausted, particularly when I have to meet individuals I need to impress or when I anticipate the sales pressure involving new customers. During those moments, my only desire is to go home and be alone, away from the surrounding noise."

A woman in her 60s surnamed Park, who has two grandchildren aged three and four, expressed her desire for a respite from the responsibilities of caring for young children.

"I raised my sons and daughters when they were young, and now I find myself doing some of those parenting tasks all over again."

Childrearing can be rewarding and emotionally fulfilling to first-time parents, but it doesn't hold the same appeal for individuals her age, she said.

“Babies are adorable when you see them often, but it's a different story when you find yourself picking up after them day in and day out for an indefinite period. There are days I can’t be bothered to go outside. I just want to be alone and have some quiet time all to myself.”

In the survey, 30 percent of Koreans also said sleeping alone is better for a good night’s rest, higher than the average of 19 percent. Only 9 percent stated that they experience a sense of belonging when engaging in small talk with their neighbors, in contrast to the global average of 25 percent.

Min Bo-gyeong, a researcher at the National Assembly Futures Institute, highlighted in a recent report that the rise in single-person households is driven by "voluntary motivation," reflecting a growing emphasis on the value of individualism and the quality of life.

"Single-person households will become the typical form of households in the future. The roles of community and government should be redefined to supplement the functions that were fulfilled by the traditional family system," she said.