Honjok: A Different Way of Viewing Lockdown

South Korea has rapidly developed over the last several decades, becoming internationally recognized for its complex history, varied cuisine, and addictive music. However, other interesting aspects of its culture remain lesser known, such as the rise in honjok – a term referring to a movement popularised in 2017, literally meaning ‘alone tribe’. And whilst its umbrella definition is the act of an individual undertaking activities alone, this can be separated into different categories: honbap (eating alone), honsul (drinking alone), and honhaeng (going to the cinema alone) are just some of these. 

Traditionally having an extremely collectivistic society, groups of people can be seen everywhere in South Korea from the workplace and restaurants to the home, and there’s a focus on reaching goals which will benefit the many, not the few. But, the number of young single households has slowly been rising, with thousands choosing honjok as a way to escape societal expectations surrounding work, marriage, and hierarchy. Books like Kim Ji-young, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-ju have been internationally praised for putting the spotlight on the pressures leading to the adoption of this unusual lifestyle. It's important to note that honjok’s rejection of society has a spectrum, with some simply choosing to partake in activities alone only occasionally, whilst others choose to completely abstain from the previously mentioned expectations of work, marriage, and socialisation.

The act of being alone is something many of us have become accustomed to recently. 2020 marked, for the majority, the beginning of a long and lonely year, where social interactions would become limited to a digital screen or under the cover of a mask. But for some, lockdown also represented the beginning of a journey of self-discovery – whether that be through the sudden appreciation of outdoor air, the satisfaction of finally finishing that one workout video, or even the smell of freshly-baked (and slightly burnt) banana bread.

 The ongoing pandemic has highlighted the importance of togetherness around the world, but South Korea, like other countries, has long been battling an epidemic of senior loneliness. According to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, almost a quarter of those over 65 live by themselves. From 2020, many of these elderly lost valuable social interaction with the outside world, leaving millions both mentally and physically trapped in their homes. Keeping this in mind, it may seem odd to many that more and more – particularly young adults – are choosing to voluntarily isolate from their friends and family.

Those participating in the movement see honjok as a form of empowerment, giving them control of their life by both metaphorically and literally turning their back on society. South Korea is home to one of the worst rates of suicide, a consequence of pressure to academically succeed and maintain impossible standards throughout their working lives. In fact, the term kwarosa - death by overworking - has steadily been increasing in use. But spending time alone allows for the withdrawal from societal pressures. With the taboo of honjok become more widely spoken about, young South Koreans are able to discover themselves and become more comfortable with their own identity. And whilst this movement may remain fairly unknown in both South Korea and internationally, its promotion of self-acceptance and a disregard of society’s expectations is something which certainly should become more widespread in all cultures. 

 

by Katie-may Bridges