Text Hip: How Gen Z in South Korea Is Making Reading Fashionable Again, While India Rediscovers Its Love for Books

By News National Editorial Team

In an era dominated by Instagram Reels, TikTok videos and YouTube Shorts, a surprising cultural trend is gaining attention in South Korea. Young people, particularly members of Generation Z, are rediscovering the pleasure of reading books and turning it into a fashionable social activity. Known as “Text Hip,” the trend is making reading an important part of youth culture.

Rather than treating books only as educational tools, young readers are embracing them as expressions of personal identity, creativity and lifestyle. Visiting bookstores, attending book fairs, joining reading groups, exchanging books and sharing favourite titles on social media have become part of this growing reading culture.

South Korea's Young Readers Lead the Trend

South Korea's 2025 National Reading Survey, released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in March 2026, provides an interesting picture of the country's reading habits.

According to the survey, 75.3% of people aged 19–29 read or listened to at least one general book during the 12-month survey period. This represented an increase of 0.8 percentage points compared with 2023.

However, the overall adult reading rate stood at just 38.5%, down 4.5 percentage points from the previous survey. The figures highlight an interesting contrast: although reading participation among young adults has improved slightly, the broader adult reading population continues to decline.

The survey also found that e-books are particularly popular among younger readers. The e-book reading rate among people in their 20s reached 59.4%, compared with 45.1% for printed books.

These findings suggest that reading is evolving rather than disappearing, with digital formats creating additional ways for younger generations to engage with books.

What Makes Text Hip Popular?

The expression “Text Hip” combines the ideas of text and being fashionable or culturally relevant. It reflects a change in how young people perceive reading.

Books are increasingly becoming a way to communicate personality, interests and individual taste. Young readers share photographs of their books, recommend authors, visit aesthetically designed bookstores and participate in reading-related social events.

The trend gained wider attention in 2024 following the international recognition of South Korean author Han Kang, who received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her achievement brought renewed attention to Korean literature and helped create wider interest in reading and literary culture.

South Korean cities have also experimented with outdoor reading activities and public libraries. Seoul's outdoor reading programmes, including events along the Cheonggyecheon stream, have helped bring books into everyday public spaces.

India Is Also Experiencing a Reading Revival

A similar development is becoming visible in India, where reading communities and silent reading meetups are attracting people looking for alternatives to screen-based entertainment.

In cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Chennai, readers are gathering in parks, cafés, bookstores and other public spaces to spend time reading together.

Unlike traditional book clubs, many silent reading groups do not require participants to read the same book. People simply bring their own books, spend time reading quietly and sometimes exchange recommendations or conversations afterwards.

Communities such as Cubbon Reads in Bengaluru and Lodhi Reads in Delhi demonstrate how reading can become a shared social experience without requiring formal membership or structured discussions.

Book fairs, literary festivals, independent bookstores and online reading communities are also helping readers discover new authors and connect with people who share similar interests.

Can Reading Compete with Short-Form Videos?

The growing popularity of reading communities does not necessarily mean that young people are abandoning social media or digital entertainment.

Instead, social media can also help promote books. Readers use digital platforms to discover authors, share recommendations, discuss stories and encourage others to develop reading habits.

The South Korean experience demonstrates that digital culture and traditional reading can exist together. E-books and audiobooks also provide alternatives for people who prefer reading on smartphones or listening while travelling.

However, the South Korean survey highlights an important challenge: the overall adult reading rate remains low despite the increased interest among younger people.

A New Opportunity for the Next Generation

The Text Hip trend offers an encouraging reminder that books continue to have a place in a world increasingly shaped by digital entertainment.

For India, the growth of silent reading communities, book exchanges and public reading events presents an opportunity to encourage young people to develop stronger reading habits.

Schools, colleges, libraries, publishers and local communities can support this development by organising accessible reading programmes and creating welcoming spaces for readers.

Ultimately, the future of reading may not depend on choosing between printed books and digital screens. It may depend on making reading enjoyable, accessible and socially engaging for the next generation.

News National will continue to follow emerging global trends shaping young people, culture, technology and society.

Sources and References

1. South Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism – 2025 National Reading Survey.

2. South Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism – Text Hip: How Korean Digital Natives Made Reading Cool Again.

3. The Korea Times – Viral Text Hip Trend Boosts Bookstore Sales.

4. The Hindu / Hindustan Times coverage – Silent Reading Groups in India.

5. afaqs – How Silent Reading Groups Are Reigniting India's Love of Books.

Editorial note: South Korea's reading statistics refer to the survey's annual reading rate, which includes print books, e-books and audiobooks. The figures should not be interpreted as print-book readership alone.