'Pray for wealth': Seoul Buddhist temple becomes Gen Z hot spot

On October 6, the bustling atmosphere at Bongeun Temple in Seoul's affluent Gangnam District revealed the temple's unexpected popularity among young people, particularly those in their 20s and 30s. The majority of visitors were couples and groups of friends, who came to pray before Buddhist statues and capture commemorative photos amidst the serene autumn ambiance of the temple grounds.

Kim Yeo-reum, a 25-year-old visitor who brought a friend, explained that she had taken a half-day off work to visit the temple on a weekday, as she had heard that it had become so crowded on holidays that it was difficult to navigate. "I even ran into an elementary school classmate here for the first time since graduation," she shared. "We went to elementary school together in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, which is quite far from Bongeun Temple, so I was surprised to discover that so many people were visiting this place."

With a history spanning over 1,000 years, Bongeun Temple has become a sought-after spot among younger generations. Its strategic location in the heart of the lively Gangnam district has long made it a prime destination, attracting visitors from across the city and beyond.