A very new trend in Korean social media is something called “quiet flexing.” Instead of showing off luxury brands or expensive experiences, people subtly display quality through minimal photos, neutral colors, and everyday moments. A simple coffee cup, a clean desk, or a calm street scene can quietly signal taste, lifestyle, and identity. This trend reflects growing fatigue with flashy influencer culture and a shift toward understated aesthetics. Many young Koreans say quiet flexing feels more authentic and less exhausting than traditional bragging.
Self photo booths in Korea have transformed from simple picture machines into full experience spaces. What used to be a quick four-photo strip is now a mini studio with themed rooms, colorful lighting, costumes, and playful props. Young people visit self photo studios as part of a date course or a casual hangout with friends. Many booths rotate seasonal concepts such as retro, Y2K, school uniform, or cartoon styles.
The appeal is not about perfect photos, but about capturing silly, imperfect, and fun moments together. In a digital-heavy world, these tiny studios offer a physical way to create memories instantly.
Photo booths
A common weekend plan is stopping by an 4-cut photo booth after dinner, choosing a theme like “retro classroom,” borrowing props, taking multiple rounds of photos, and immediately sharing the printed strips and digital files on social media.
Another reason these photo booths remain popular is their role as emotional documentation. Many young Koreans treat printed photo strips like small diaries, storing them in phone cases, journals, or wall collages. Some even revisit the same booth every year with the same friends to recreate similar poses and compare how they have changed. In this way, self photo booths are not just about looking cute — they quietly track friendships, growth, and phases of life, one four-frame strip at a time.
Korean homes stay warm from the ground up. Instead of heating air, floors are heated, keeping feet and bodies comfortable during long winters. People sit, eat, and even sleep on the floor, so warmth from below feels natural. This system is quiet, evenly heats rooms, and avoids dry air.
