{
  "id": 16204064,
  "title": "Birdwatching takes off among young Koreans",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/birdwatching-takes-off-among-young-koreans-16204064",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T17:12:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20261024/birdwatching-takes-off-among-young-koreans"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Korea, birdwatching, or \"birding,\" is gaining popularity among younger generations, particularly millennials and Generation Z. Traditionally considered a pastime for older individuals, birdwatching required expensive gear and specialized knowledge. However, with the rise of smartphones, the activity has become accessible to almost anyone.\n\nCelebrities such as actress Kim Tae-ri, author Chung Se-rang, and model Lee So-ra have shared their enthusiasm for birdwatching, contributing to its newfound status as a trendy hobby. The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in this trend, as people turned to smartphones and social media for entertainment during lockdowns.\n\nOn Instagram, the hashtag \"#birdwatching\" has garnered approximately 144,000 posts, while \"#birdwatching records\" has over 17,000, and \"#birdwatching life\" has around 14,000. This surge in content demonstrates the growing interest and engagement in this unique and rewarding hobby among Korea's youth.",
  "summary": "As you stroll among the trees, you hear a rustle and stop to listen. You raise your binoculars and quietly scan the spot where the sound came from. After waiting patiently, you may finally catch a glimpse of something rarely encountered in everyday life: a small, precious bird. Birdwatching, or birding, is emerging as a new hobby among Korea’s millennials and Gen Z. Until recently, it was largely…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}