Gen Z speaks out on stereotypes, misperceptions

“I quit! It took me two hours to get to work, so pay me for that.”

This line, delivered by a Generation Z new hire in a popular YouTube comedy skit, has come to symbolize the perceived work ethic of young people, resonating with over 3 million viewers.

In Korean media, Gen Z is often portrayed as disconnected from traditional company culture, prioritizing individuality and resisting conformity. Older workers, half-jokingly, express a fear of interacting with Gen Z in the workplace, whether based on their actual encounters or from hearsay.

But does this portrayal hold true? The Korea Herald spoke with nine Gen Z individuals to explore their perspectives.

Woo Ye-rin, 19, female

Woo Ye-rin, 19, says the media’s depiction of Gen Z as self-centered or impolite isn’t entirely wrong. “We’re very individualistic,” she said. “We tend to reject views we don’t like, and we’re not always open to hearing others out.”

As a student, she has noticed this in her peers, particularly when doing group projects. Things don’t go smoothly because everyone is self-righteous, she explained.

Regarding viral videos that depict Gen Z as selfish or rude, Woo acknowledged that they contain some truth. ”They’re not trying to create certain stereotypes; they‘re pointing out real traits.“

While she finds humor in content that pokes fun at Gen Z’s quirks, she also worries about being perceived negatively.

“Even if we’re sometimes resistant, I don’t want to be seen that way,” she said. “I’m afraid that small actions might make my superiors think I’m rude or lazy (like how the media portray us).”

‘Far from reality’

Rebecca Gray, 27, female

Despite stereotypes that depict Gen Z as brash or disrespectful, Rebecca Gray, a 27-year-old high school teacher, disagrees. As a Gen Z member herself, her job gives her a front-row seat to observe the younger members of her generation, aged 17-19, while her coworkers are mostly older Millennials.

“At least in my classroom, they’re not rude at all,” she said.

"They seem a lot more outspoken than people older than me,“ Gray continued. ”When they think a teacher’s rule doesn’t make sense, they’re not shy about voicing their opinion.“

It's actually more difficult sometimes working with her older colleagues, she said.

”Older teachers tend to stick to what they know and expect younger generations to follow suit,“ Gray said. ”They often say they‘re ’too old‘ to learn new methods, but I think that’s just an excuse.“

‘Media like to depict conflict, but reality is more harmonious’

Lee Ye-eun, 24, female

Lee Ye-eun, a college student, believes that the media's portrayal of Gen Z workers misses the mark, at least from what she heard from her friends who've started working.

“The media tends to focus on Gen Z’s individualism, framing young people as resistant to authority and openly critical of the workplace,” she said. “My friends who are working rarely complain about their superiors; they actually talk quite positively about work.”

She said her friends try to adapt to the workplace rather than stand out. “They really want to fit into the company culture and communicate well with their bosses.”

Lee, who will soon be job hunting, holds a positive view of work culture in general, contrary to the media‘s portrayal of generational clashes, where Gen Z is often seen as a source of trouble. She believes that older workers, contrary to the rigid image often portrayed, also make an effort to understand their younger colleagues.

“I think older generations recognize the differences and try to move away from outdated practices, like mandatory company dinners or being pressured to drink — they make an effort to find a middle ground.”

‘I get annoyed when I'm not given clear instructions’

Oh Ji-eon, 20, female

Oh, 20, a college student, sometimes feels frustrated with her professor’s lack of direction. “I often get annoyed when my professor doesn’t give clear instructions,” she shared.

She often finds herself clashing with him over vague assignments. “He’ll tell me to complete something, but in a really general way, and then when I finish, he’ll criticize it for details he didn’t specify,” she said. “How am I supposed to know exactly what he wants from the start? It feels unrealistic and unfair.”

Oh thinks this communication gap is partly generational. “People in our generation need clear instructions and examples,” she explained. “Older generations might have followed orders without much guidance, but we ask questions.”

She believes this difference stems from growing up in a digital world.

“We had internet access from a young age and endless ways to communicate, so we’re comfortable with expressing ourselves,” she added.

'Social media is actually helping bridge gaps'

Kim Se-yoon, 19, male

Though he’s not a fan of exaggerated portrayals of Gen Z, Kim sees social media’s positive role in connecting generations.

”Social media actually helps bridge generational gaps,” he said. “There’s a positive side to how Gen Z is shown in media as expressive and individualistic. They’re not afraid to share their views. And as older generations see this, they start recognizing what sets Gen Z apart -- allowing them to understand us better.”

His college professors, for example, seem to understand that while his generation can be challenging, they mean no harm, which leads to better communication.

He believes this understanding works both ways. “Just as the older generation learns about us, we also get to see what their time was like through social media,” Kim said, noting how this awareness fosters mutual respect.

‘My friends are rude to older people’

Kang Eun-seo, 16, female

Kang Eun-seo said her friends are often disrespectful toward older generations. “They call them ‘kkondae,’” she said, referring to a slang term depicting older people as condescending and behind the times.

In her opinion, the term is overused and misapplied.

“Gen Z is very self-expressive and outspoken,” she noted, “but many use ‘kkondae’ to insult older people even when they’re being reasonable.”

Kang said a lot of students around her seem rude to adults and disregard their advice. “I think the media’s portrayal of Gen Z as rude and eccentric has some truth to it,“ she said.

Mixed feelings about this generation

Lee In-seo, 27, male

“I have mixed feelings about my generation,” said Lee, a graduate student. While he considers the media portrayal of Gen Z to be exaggerated, he also finds it to be partly true.

His reservations stem from the individualism he observes among Gen Z, which, to him, can seem self-centered. “At school, it feels like no one tries to help each other. People are only focused on their own grades; asking for help feels out of place,” he said. “It’s a lonely culture.”

Lee believes this shift is rooted in Gen Z’s unique experiences compared to previous generations. “The COVID-19 pandemic made people accustomed to looking out for themselves, and it kept everyone isolated,” he said.

There’s also a bright side. “Individualism isn’t entirely bad; it makes us more unique,” he said. “Gen Z is actively trying to end corrupt practices, and many of the bad habits of past generations are ending with us.”

Generational conflict exaggerated

Park Je-yoon, 23, female

”Social media exaggerates the clash between generations,“ said Park Je-yoon, 23. “In my work, older employees make an effort to help and support me.”

Park works at a hospital with colleagues in their 40s and 50s, and she hasn’t encountered significant issues stemming from age gaps.

“My older coworkers not only help me understand my tasks, but they also compensate for any social skills I might be lacking,” she said. “They’re very understanding and considerate of my youth and inexperience.”

This supportive environment has made Park feel seen and understood, rather than alienated. Her superiors often comment on how well she adapts to the workplace culture, she said.

“Even when I’m more direct, which I think is a trait of my generation, they aren’t put off. They recognize that Gen Z tends to be blunt,” she noted. Park believes that maintaining mutual respect is key to bridging age differences at work.