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

On October 6, the Bongeun Temple in southern Seoul's affluent Gangnam District was teeming with young people, in line with the growing rumors of its emergence as a hotspot for Gen Z. Approximately half of the visitors were in their 20s or 30s, primarily in the form of couples and groups of friends. They paid their respects before Buddhist statues and snapped commemorative photos, leisurely soaking in the serene autumn atmosphere of the temple grounds.

Kim Yeo-reum, a 25-year-old visitor, recounted how she had taken a half-day off from work to visit the temple on a weekday, after hearing that it had become so popular that it was packed on holidays. "I even ran into an elementary school classmate here today 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 see that so many people were coming here."

Bongeun Temple, with a history spanning over 1,000 years, has become a favored destination among younger generations. Its strategic location in the heart of Gangnam has long made it a popular spot. The temple's recent surge in popularity among Gen Z visitors has been noted by locals and visitors alike.