In Korea, the ‘Gen Z stare’ is redefining how young people communicate

Dancer Gabee reenacts the “Gen Z stare” in a video on the YouTube channel Yoo Byung-jae. Captured from YouTube

“Whenever I ask a question, they just look at me blankly without saying a word.”

A growing phenomenon known as the “Gen Z stare” is attracting attention on social media in Korea and abroad, symbolizing a new communication style among Generation Z, the people born between 1997 and 2012.

The term refers to a conversational behavior where someone maintains silence while maintaining eye contact. First popularized in the United States, the phrase was initially used to describe situations in which Gen Z employees silently gaze at customers or coworkers rather than replying. As personal anecdotes spread online, the “Gen Z stare” quickly evolved into a viral meme and a perceived generational trait.

Instances of the phenomenon are increasingly common in Korea. A university staff member in Seoul said they once asked a student worker if they had any questions, only to receive a silent, blank stare in return.

“I was so taken aback when the student didn’t respond at all,” the staff member said. “It turns out many of my colleagues have had similar experiences, and the ‘Gen Z stare’ has become a hot topic on campus recently.”

Digital habits shaping real-world communication

Experts suggest that the rise of the “Gen Z stare” is closely tied to digital communication habits. Having grown up immersed in smartphones and social media, many Gen Zers are less accustomed to spontaneous, face-to-face conversations than people from older generations.

According to a 2024 survey by the part-time job platform Alba Cheonguk, 73.9 percent of 765 respondents from Gen Z said they preferred texting or messaging as their main form of communication. In contrast, only 11.4 percent preferred making phone calls and 40.8 percent said phone conversations make them feel anxious or stressed.

Experts emphasize that the “Gen Z stare” should not be interpreted as inherently rude or dismissive. Instead, they view it as part of a broader cultural shift in how younger generations communicate.

“After the pandemic, Gen Z has grown accustomed to a culture of doing things alone, like eating or singing karaoke solo,” one communications expert said. “This can make them less confident in real-time social interactions. Organizations should focus on understanding these generational differences and creating environments that leverage Gen Z’s strengths.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.