“Kkondae is about attitude, not age” 8 in 10 believe there are many young kkondae

According to the results of the ‘2026 Kkondae Perception Survey’ conducted by the market research specialist company Embrain Trend Monitor on 1,000 adult men and women aged 19 to 59 nationwide, respondents showed a strong tendency to judge a ‘kkondae’ by their way of speaking and attitude rather than their age. In particular, there was a clear perception that the younger generation is no exception.

The image of a kkondae recalled by respondents was a type that repeatedly gives unwanted advice and applies their past experiences to the present. ‘Giving advice or suggestions that are not necessarily needed’ was the highest at 55.9%, followed by ‘frequently saying "young people these days (juniors)"’ at 45.9%, ‘frequently saying "when I was..."’ at 43.7%, and ‘saying "it's better than it used to be" when a junior complains’ at 42.2%. Additionally, 39.8% responded that kkondae ask to ‘speak honestly’ but then get offended by honest answers. Perceptions such as ‘kkondae do not easily admit they are wrong’ at 77.6% and ‘kkondae are authoritative’ at 76.1% were also high.

As for elements that reveal kkondae tendencies, way of speaking was most frequently cited at 78.5%, followed by values at 67.9%, meddling at 66.2%, and attitude at 54.2%. On the other hand, the proportion of those who cited age was only 23.8%. 88.9% viewed that ‘not everyone who is old is a kkondae,’ and 81.9% answered that ‘there are many young kkondae these days.’ From a reporter's perspective, it can be seen that the term ‘kkondae’ is changing from a critique of a generation into an expression that evaluates the method of relationships itself. It means that the attitude toward the other person has become a more important standard than age.

This trend was even more evident in workplaces and organizations. As for the characteristics of a person with strong kkondae tendencies, ‘having a strong desire to be treated well despite lacking ability’ was the most common at 53.2%, followed by strong conviction in one's own thoughts at 48.1%, strong hierarchy in judging right and wrong according to rank at 39.7%, and a didactic way of speaking toward the junior generation at 33.4%. As the most problematic characteristics in an organization, egocentrism was identified at 51.2%, the attitude of wanting to be treated well without ability at 47.4%, and strong hierarchy at 41.5%.

The way of using messengers also emerged as a criterion for judging kkondae. The behavior of sending work messages even late in the evening or on weekends was high at 68.9%, and the behavior of leaving unnecessary meddling comments in group chats was high at 68.0%. Responses such as reacting sensitively if a message is not replied to immediately (37.8%) and insisting on phone calls rather than text messages (33.1%) were also not small. The response that people who refuse to learn new technologies or AI tools and insist only on old methods can also be seen as kkondae was 49.2%.

‘Kkondae’ did not appear to be a problem only for the senior generation. The response that they felt a kkondae-like sensation from juniors or the younger generation within the last year was 35.2%. This was highest among those in their 40s at 43.6%. Responses of feeling like a ‘reverse kkondae’ came when a junior concludes that a different opinion is old-fashioned (50.3%), when they unilaterally cut off conversations or refuse feedback (37.8%), and when they force their own standards (36.6%). It is possible to interpret that generational conflict is moving from a simple age issue to a matter of whether one recognizes each other's experiences and standards.

An atmosphere of guarding against becoming a kkondae themselves was also confirmed. 46.2% answered ‘I feel like I will become a kkondae someday,’ and 48.0% said ‘I am afraid of becoming a kkondae.’ The response that one becomes cautious about whether they are becoming a kkondae as they become accustomed to organizational life reached 68.3%. The response that the MZ generation will be treated as kkondae by the Alpha generation when the Alpha generation enters society in the future was 42.0%. The kkondae debate is likely to continue, changing its form even as generations change.

Translated from the Korean original with AI. The Korean article was itself written with AI assistance. Read the original (Korean)