Modern People’s Leisure: Hobbies
2023.06.11
As the importance of work-life balance grows, and the implementation of a 52-hour workweek takes effect, the number of people investing in hobbies and self-improvement has steadily increased. People enjoy leisure activities, from reading and watching movies to exercising, playing musical instruments, and taking various hobby classes. After the COVID-19 pandemic, people resumed activities they had put on hold. A recent survey revealed that more than 75% of respondents engage in self-development activities regularly. The most popular investment areas are sports and fitness, such as gym workouts, hiking, fishing, and golf, followed by language learning, financial management, culinary exploration, cultural activities, computer skills, music, photography, and fashion.
Hobby Economy: Hobby Enthusiasts
As the number of people engaging in hobbies grows, attitudes toward leisure activities have significantly changed. In the past, many people enjoyed common hobbies like listening music, reading, and watching movies. However, nowadays, people are exploring in a wide range of hobbies and leisure activities. They are indulging in these activities and investing in enhancing their hobby experiences, willingly spending money on lessons, clubs, and online or offline classes.
In pursuit of enjoyment, some have begun leveraging their hobbies for financial gain or supplemental income, while others aim to enhance their skills for future retirement plans. To fully immerse themselves in their hobbies, enthusiasts willingly invest in classes, participate in clubs or gatherings, and purchase high-end equipment giving rise to what is known as the "hobby economy." This economic aspect goes beyond mere enjoyment of hobbies, as individuals find ways to generate income through various means. For instance, they may sell knitted items, create and sell artwork for emoticons or daily cartoons, or monetize hobby-related content by uploading it to social media platforms. By exploring these divers avenues, hobbies have evolved into more than just source of enjoyment, now providing individuals with a path toward economic independence.
Hyosung's Technology in Your Leisure Activities
Hyosung's technological expertise extends to various hobbies modern people enjoy.
One of the most beloved hobbies today is fitness. Whether engaging in leisure activities like camping, hiking, fishing, and surfing or participating in exercise routines such as gym workouts, Pilates, and yoga, Hyosung's technology is embedded in outdoor and athleisure wear. Specifically, Hyosung TNC’s CREORA® Spandex, which holds the highest global market share and boasts world-class quality, is incorporated into these garments. Furthermore, Hyosung has succeeded in developing regen Bio-based Spandex, a biofiber made from environmentally friendly raw materials from corn.
As well as outdoor hobbies, Hyosung’s technology is used at home as well. YouTube, various dramas and movies, and even a shows available on OTT platforms all require devices to access. TAC film from Hyosung is essential for the displays of smartphones, tablets, and TVs that display these visual contents. Hyosung Chemical makes it possible to produce TAC film domestically, a crucial material for displays that filters light and protects the polarizing plate.
In addition to sports activities, financial management is another area of great interest for people these days. As the importance of work-life balance grows, more people are pursuing economic freedom and a lifestyle not constrained by leisure time. It is becoming more common for young people to invest in various fields, and one of the hottest trends in financial management is non-fungible tokens (NFTs). High-priced art investments were once considered exclusive to the wealthy, but the landscape of art investing has changed.
Nowadays, group purchase of artwork and investment in art-based NFTs have emerged as accessible means of financial management. Hyosung is at the forefront of this trend, offering a platform that facilitates NFT transactions. Through its subsidiary MetaGalaxia, Hyosung ensures fair compensation for content copyright holders while providing buyers with opportunities to access divers items and investment prospects across various fields items.
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed attitudes towards hobbies, with Generation Z becoming the primary consumer group. Consumption patterns have evolved, as well as the way people approach hobbies. In today's market, consumers prefer spending money on items that align with their values instead of mainstream products. It is important for them to invest in their passions and fully devote themselves to them. Hobbies are no longer considered a luxury, giving rise to a new trend where people not only consume their hobbies but also generate income from them. Despite the rapidly changing landscape of hobbies and consumption trends, one constant remains: Hyosung's technological prowess.
One constant amidst rapidly changing trends in hobbies and consumption is Hyosung's technological prowess, which permeates various aspects of leisure activities. This technology enables us to enjoy our hobbies more freely and immerse ourselves in our leisure activities, whether it’s through active wear, NFT platforms, Sevit Island, or display devices. Despite persistent challenges such as global recession, war, pandemics, and inflation, Hyosung's technology provides people with the opportunity to pursue their unique personalities and seek happiness. Hyosung's technological prowess will continue to work diligently today, tomorrow, and beyond in supporting this pursuit.