'Young 40s': Gen Z has found a new way to mock millennials for their style in South Korea

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 5 min read 100% complete January 18, 2026 at 12:08 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

In South Korea, Gen Z is mocking millennials in their 40s, dubbed "Young 40s," for attempting to emulate younger styles. The trend gained traction after the release of the iPhone 17, which became associated with older individuals trying to appear youthful. Viral memes depict middle-aged men in streetwear, highlighting the perceived disconnect between their age and fashion choices. This mirrors a previous trend of ridiculing "Geriatric Millennials" for their humor. The shift is reflected in market trends, with Apple's market share decreasing among Gen Z and increasing among those in their 40s. The phenomenon underscores the importance of age and social hierarchy in Korean culture.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Stüssy 30% Samsung Galaxy 40% Nike Air Jordans 40% BBC 40% Apple 50% Jeong Ju-eun 50% Hyojung Kim 50% Millennials ×270% Ji Seung-ryeol 70% Gen Z ×380% South Korea ×290%

Keywords

young 40s 100% south korea 90% gen z 90% millennials 80% fashion 70% iphone 70% social media 60% cultural trends 60% ageism 50%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative

Score: -0.20

Source Transparency

Source

BBC News - World

Political Lean

Center (0.00)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

South Korea

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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young 40s south korea gen z millennials fashion iphone social media cultural trends ageism

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