Korea's efforts to boost young people's interest in Buddhism are paying off

From english.hani.co.kr

The Busan International Buddhist Exhibition, which ran until August 11, sparked keen interest among younger generations, marking a change in the perception of Buddhism in South Korea. The event featured programming specifically aimed at millennials and Gen Z, including a meditation session, a performance by DJ NewJeansNim, who combines electronic music with Buddhist teachings, and a pop-up shop selling Buddhist-themed merchandise.

“The products were really very original: t-shirts with Buddhist phrases and K-pop lyrics, and fans with Buddhist memes,” noted Kim Mi-gang, a 27-year-old participant. “I stopped thinking that Buddhism was only for old people. Seeing all these trendy products at the expo, I wanted one for myself. » (Hankyoreh)

The exhibition's focus on youth culture is part of a broader trend in South Korea, where Buddhism is gaining popularity among young people through innovative cultural expressions. For example, DJ NewJeansNim, a comedian turned DJ, gained a following by creating EDM tracks based on Buddhist principles. The popular DJ has sparked debates in East and Southeast Asia, as many Buddhists have expressed appreciation for his approach, while others have expressed concerns that he distorts Buddhism and could mislead its audience.*

Similarly, a temple stay program called "Naneun Jeollo" or "I am linked to the temple", designed as a dating event for singles aged 20 to 30, reportedly attracted considerable interest, with 70 applicants for each place available.**

The rise of “Buddhist” fashion, with its T-shirts emblazoned with ironic Buddhist slogans such as “Enlightenment!” " and "Nirvana Rocks", also contributed to this trend. Ju Yeo-jin, a 29-year-old Buddhist, is at the forefront of this movement, selling hundreds of such T-shirts every month through her online store. Ju, who grew up in a temple, says his designs resonate with Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike because they reflect his informal understanding of Buddhism.

Environmental awareness has also played a role in the resurgence of Buddhism among young people. Ju organized a recycling event called “Karma Laundry” in July, where participants transformed old t-shirts into “Buddhist” fashion items, in line with the Buddhist principle of respect for all forms of life. Shin Ye-seol, 17, who participated in Karma Laundry, said his interest in Buddhism was sparked by the Buddhist-themed lyrics of his favorite band's songs. She even wore a recycled Buddhist t-shirt to a recent rock festival.

The growing popularity of Buddhism among young people has also led to the creation of spaces such as the JustBe Temple in Seoul's trendy Hongdae district. Opened in October 2022 by brothers Junhan and Baekdam, JustBe aims to make Buddhism more accessible to young people. The temple offers traditional meditation sessions as well as activities such as free dance sessions and vegetarian meals, which have become popular with young visitors.

The growing appeal of Buddhism in South Korea is seen as a result of its inclusiveness and efforts to reduce barriers to entry. Popular culture critic Jang Deok-hyeon noted that Buddhism was moving beyond its image as a "distant religion for mountaintop hermits" and becoming more integrated into daily life. (Hankyoreh)

Yoon Ji-woong, youth representative of JustBe Temple, added that the acceptance of youth culture by Buddhist orders, as demonstrated by their invitation to DJ NewJeansNim, has contributed to the new appreciation of Buddhism by younger generations . “While the fact that NewJeansNim is a DJ may expose him to criticism, the fact that Buddhist orders invite him to their events and give him a Buddhist name shows that they are totally open to youth culture, and that helped give it that cool look,” Yoon said. (Hankyoreh)

* Buddhists debate Korean 'DJ monk' after Malaysia controversy (BDG)

** Buddhist monks in South Korea embark on matchmaking (BDG)

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