“Naroseogi” is a newly-coined word that represents those in their twenties who have started to stand on their own two feet, without relying on external sources of healing. In the past, self-help books or travel books were popular because people had an interest in other people’s lives, but recently, youths are finding personal solutions rather than looking to other people and their stories.

There are some reasons for “Naroseogi.” First, Korea is a very tough society in which to live. According to statistical data from the OECD in 2016, the suicide rate per 100,000 people in Korea is 28.7%, and it is the highest rate among the OECD member nations. Also, youth unemployment has been increasing every year. In April 2017, the National Statistical Office reported the youth unemployment rate to be 10.8%, a figure that rises to more than 20% if you include those who were not included in the sample. Youth, experiencing failure, frustration and despair in the tough competition of our capitalist society, want some respite from their weary lives.

The craze of 'healing' started with this TV program called 'Healing Camp'

Conventional “healing solutions” are also often temporary comforts. The craze of “healing” started with a TV program called ‘Healing Camp’ in 2012. Various healing media, such as TV programs, books, food culture, and temple stays, became very popular though ultimately limited for they didn’t address the sources of the pain or problems. The solutions they offered then rarely lasted. People may feel better after they read a book or attend a lecture, but their lives do not change on a fundamental level and the problems happen again and again. People comforted by the instant feedback received by posting their lifestyle on social networking sites like Facebook or Instagram also found such respite to be temporary.

What is true “Healing”?

 Jeong hye-shin, CEO of Mindprism, who provides healing medicine for wounded people, believes that the healing trend in transitory, and we regard it as a stimulus and simply consume it. At the same time, she advises us to find our healing solutions from within. Thus, the new trend “Nroseogi” has emerged in 2017.

Phenomena caused by “Naroseogi”.

 According to the survey ‘2017 Travel Bucket List’ conducted by ‘Sky-scanner’, which compared travel costing sites, one out of every two Koreans (51%) answered that they want to travel alone this year. This tendency is more pronounced in young people. The percentage of respondents who wanted to travel alone was highest in people in their 20s (51%) followed by those in their 30s (33%). Katherine Jita, who was a reporter for the famous Austrian daily newspaper "Kronen Zaitung," worked as a journalist for 10 years until she realized that the only things left were obsession with perfection, work poisoning, and cutting relationships. She started to travel to find out what she really wanted and wrote the essay ‘Why I Travel Alone’. She says that if you travel on your own and concentrate on yourself, you can find what you are looking for with a joyful and tranquil mind, and you can make positive changes by encountering the unexpected in a spontaneous life.

The App ‘sseum’ shows users a poem or a book passage that can be referenced and gives an opportunity to deeply ponder the words and reveal their own story. Although, it only takes a short time to write, while we are thinking about writing, we can sort out our thoughts, and at the same time, we can comfort someone else. There are more than 100,000 users, and more than 2 million submissions have been created of which more than 1 million have been forwarded to others. The App named ‘Around’, ‘Mocci’ cherishes the process of getting to know oneself more than the meaning of sharing it with someone. Through ensuring anonymity, it is possible to show one’s inner side rather than simply giving other people what they want.

Independent publications are popular today. An independent publication is a small-scale creative publication in which individuals or editors do not get overwhelmed by commercial capital but publish the stories they want to tell or the content they want to include. There is no limitation on the subject, form, content, or frame, so writers can be themselves. It is the bucket list for many people, and independent publishing focused on people who dream of publishing a book is getting popular. You can create your own magazine with your own content, or you can sell your memories of your trip to a photo essay while you earn a profit. In 2014, there were only 10 bookstores specialized in independent publications, a number that has increased to around 40 in Seoul and 60 across the country. Lee Hak-jun, an independent writer, explained the inspiration for his publication “When I was young, I couldn’t find myself anywhere, so I began to write something I couldn’t write anywhere. This calmed my mind and made me feel at ease.”

Writing classes have also enjoyed a surge in popularity. School Pastel, a representative of poet Ou-Eun, is a writing program for anyone interested. The number of novel- and poem-writing lectures, in December 2016, numbered only two. This has increased to seven this year. And the number of students per class has increased from 10 to 16. Compared to last year, the total number of students has more than tripled to 71. The Humanities Lecture Program of Alternative Research were not able to fill their first writing programs in 2011, but since 2014, they have run four to six lectures with a capacity of 10 students per lecture, and this year they are going to double the number of lectures. The Hangyoereh Education and Culture Center reported that sales of their writing programs have increased 120% compare to 2016. The Hangyoereh Center offers not only poetry and novel-writing classes but also various other writing classes, such as autobiography or travel essays. The age range of students varies from the 20s to 60s. The reason for this increase in attendance is that students have time to think about themselves and concentrate on their inner well-being; they feel that they are comforted and healed when they go through literary hardships.

Following on from the “Naroseogi” trend, the new trend named “Gap Year” appeared. Gap year is a period in which students can experience various activities, such as volunteering, traveling, career exploration, education, internships, start-up, etc., while temporarily discontinuing their studies so as to explore other interests and aptitudes. Beginning in the 1960s in the UK, this concept proved the positive effect of creating mature and independent values that became widespread across the world, triggering responses that clarify inner motivation through diverse experiences that schools can’t teach.

Now, in Korea, certain corporations and local governments have begun to actively support the concept of the gap year both for students and office workers.

 ‘Part-time Job in Paradise’ is a part-time internship program for people in their 20s that allows them to go abroad, make money, and enjoy a free trip while they experience a gap-year. ‘Korea Gap-Year’ is a company that offers various projects that can be carried out during the semester or vacation for students, vacation for employees or a sabbatical, helping young people to experience diverse experiences and discover their dreams and directions in life. Professional project planners, who have experienced their own gap-year and gap-year consultants with expertise in the field of education, provide practical guidance to those seeking a gap-year. ‘Part-time Job in Paradise’ currently offers over 500 projects, such as overseas service, internship, and working holidays in more than 30 countries.

 The local government in Jeju offers the ‘Jeju Gap-Year Program for Youth’.  Including a workshop, expert 1:1 consulting, and team and individual missions, youth can enjoy opportunities for personal growth that aid them in finding their direction in life.

 However, the problem with a taking a gap-year is that many people believe that the time away from their career paths will cause them to fall behind the competition. Unlike Korea, many other countries encourage their youth to take a gap-year, and many people have now questioned why Korea does not do the same. Implement a support system for those returning from a gap-year to facilitate their career choices, and they may become the norm rather than the exception.

In the UK, a gap-year can range from 3 ~ 24 months after graduating from high school and before enrolling in college. Colleges allow students to pursue various activities, such as community service, travel, or work experience placements. Whilst a gap-year is optional, about 30,000 students use this system every year.

 In the US, the idea of a gap-year has been attraction the attention of the US media because Mallia Obama, the daughter of former US President Barack Obama, announced that she would have a gap-year and delay her entrance to Harvard University to 2017. Harvard, Princeton, MIT and other major universities are now encouraging students to postpone their admission, which means that students who have ‘burned out’ after graduating from high school can recharge their batteries and gain a variety of life experiences. According to the American Gap-year Association (AGA), between 30,000 and 40,000 students take a gap-year every year, and the number of gap-year students has been increasing since 2006. The Associated Press has stated that a gap-year allows students to tackle their further education with a refreshed outlook and a more enterprising attitude. According to an AGA survey, more than half of gap-year students decide on their major and career path during this period and go on to achieve a higher level of academic achievement. Princeton and Tufts University have developed their own gap-year programs, whilst Florida State University and the University of North Carolina have announced plans to offer financial support for a gap-year to low-income students.

 Denmark have had an ‘After School System’ since 1974. Students, who have graduated from primary or junior high school, can select a  'free school' to attend for a year. The ‘After School System’ helps students decide on their course in life and is recognized as a formal bachelor's degree. Indeed, the curricula are different in every school. There are different fields of study such as woodwork, architecture, soccer, and theater, so students can choose schools according to their interests. When students finish this course, they go to high school or a vocational school to receive higher education in the subjects of their choice. Most after-school schools are located in rural villages, in the form of boarding schools, and there are about 260 schools across the country.

“Healing” then cannot often be found beyond the scope of one’s own life - it is possible by giving yourself the opportunity to freely express who you are and learning to listen to yourself. The youth of our nation have a voice and should be encouraged to express themselves without fear of social repercussions. Why should you be punished just for being you?