Economic pressures fuel 'mom-obsessed' trend among Korean youth

There was a time when being called a "mama's boy" or "mama's girl" in Korea was an insult.

Now, millions of young Koreans are voluntarily claiming a similar label and wearing it as a badge of honor.

The term “eommisae,” referring to someone who is obsessed with their mom, went viral across social media as more young people say they would rather spend time with their mothers than with friends or partners.

On platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, young Koreans share photos and videos of themselves shopping, traveling and dining with their mothers, proudly adopting the label.

Many describe their mothers as their best friends, saying they spend more time talking to them than anyone else and express that they would rather enjoy a meal or a day out with their moms than socialize with peers.

Unlike mama's boy and mama's girl, which implied excessive dependence, eommisae is largely self-described — a term people claim with pride rather than one imposed as criticism.

The trend extends to K-pop as well, with idols openly showcasing close relationships with their parents.

ILLIT member Wonh ...