This file photo from Nov. 6, 2022, shows people walking on the streets of Myeongdong in central Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 28 (Korea Bizwire) — Members of the MZ generation, who are often portrayed in the media as possessing picky, individualistic tendencies, actually display considerable diversity and deviate from such inclinations, a study indicated Monday.
The “MZ generation” refers to a pairing of two groups — millennials born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s, and Generation Z, those born between the mid-1990s and the early 2000s.
A research team from Sogang University conducted an intensive interview of 11 millennials and 11 members of Generation Z who said they had worked in a corporate environment, and divided the results into six categories.
Respondents qualifying for category I were strongly against the perception of the MZ generation as reflected in the media.
They undervalued the meaning of work, saying it does not reflect one’s important values in life or express one’s identity, and felt that being a part of an organization was a tool for individual growth.
Category II somewhat agreed with the concept of the MZ generation, while noting there were some exaggerations.
They believe that work is an important value in life, and being loyal to an organization would eventually benefit them.
Category III showed a lack of interest in the concept of the MZ generation and believed in the value of work and being part of an organization.
While they believed in the importance of work, they had low expectations towards organizations.
Category IV was similar to category I, but differed in the fact that category IV preferred work that requires a certain profession. They also thought that being loyal to an organization would not lead to personal benefit.
Categories V and VI had little or no interest in the concept of the MZ generation.
Category V treated work as a tool for the organization, and prioritized the organization over themselves. Category VI placed little value on work and wasn’t loyal to organizations.
Regardless of one’s category, most respondents claimed that the media makes an excessive generalization of the MZ generation, showing them as people making honest, unrefined remarks in organizations, prioritizing themselves over others, and lacking responsibility and a sense of affiliation.
As a result, many respondents were either against how the media portrayed the MZ generation or did not place any interest in the concept.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
