Recently, during girl talk with my friends, someone said, "That's such a Gen Z thing!" and it made me realize - our generation's approach to love is completely different from our parents'. Social media is a given, dating apps are normal, and we balance our fan activities with romance. Let me share the real perspective on Gen Z love and relationships!
Three Major Factors Shaping Gen Z's View of Love
First, let's look at why Gen Z's approach to love is so unique. Our generation has had the internet since birth, and social media was already normal by our teenage years.
Values Born from Being Digital Natives
We Gen Zers grew up in an environment where smartphones and social media were always present. That's why the line between online and offline is incredibly blurred for us. Confessing through Instagram DMs or breaking up via LINE are valid options for us.
Actually, many couples around me started with "our first conversation was through a reaction to an Instagram story." The pattern of DM conversations leading to real-life meetings has really increased.
Flexible Thinking That Embraces Diversity
A characteristic of Gen Z is our incredibly high understanding of diversity. Not just LGBTQ+ acceptance, but the mainstream idea that everyone's form of love is valid.
Even the definition of "dating" varies by person, and there are fewer negative opinions about open relationships or polyamory. At my university, more people have genderless views on love, and it's normal to hear "I just happened to fall for someone of the same gender."
Balancing Economic Realism with Romance
We Gen Zers are actually super realistic. We have anxieties about the future and understand the importance of money. So in romance too, the "love conquers all" mindset is in the minority.
Splitting the bill on dates is normal, and relaxed cafe dates with good value are more popular than expensive restaurants. We care about Instagram-worthy spots, but don't feel the need to force ourselves to expensive places.
The New Normal of Love Communication Changed by Social Media
For Gen Z romance, social media is inseparable. But that's not all bad.
Reading Feelings Through Instagram Stories
Instagram's story feature is such a convenient tool for romance. Immediately reacting to your crush's stories, or checking who viewed your own stories.
"Always reacting to stories = interested?" - this kind of game is a uniquely Gen Z dating technique. I actually consciously post stories that my crush might react to (lol).
Measuring "Distance" Online
Judging feelings through LINE read receipts and reply speed is now Gen Z common sense. But recently, more people "don't care about being left on read."
Rather, many understand the importance of communicating at each other's pace. Everyone's starting to understand that "instant replies ≠ love."
Balancing Dating Apps and Real-Life Romance
When talking about Gen Z romance, we can't ignore dating apps. But not everyone is only dating through apps.
Apps Are Just One Way to Meet
Some of my friends found boyfriends through dating apps. But apps are just one way to meet people. We also value real encounters through university clubs, part-time jobs, and friend introductions.
The good thing about apps is connecting with people you wouldn't meet in daily life. Meeting people from different universities or working adults is attractive.
Profile Creation as "Self-Branding"
Creating a dating app profile is exactly like self-branding. From photo selection to self-introduction, we think hard about how to present ourselves.
But recently, many realize not "over-editing" is important. To reduce the gap when meeting in person, showing your true self ultimately leads to better encounters.
The New Lifestyle of Balancing Fan Activities and Romance
A uniquely Gen Z phenomenon is balancing "oshi activities" (supporting your favorite idol/character) with romance. Parents might not understand this, but it's normal for us.
Your "Oshi" and Partner Are Different Categories
Sometimes people ask, "You have an oshi but still date?" But your oshi and partner are completely different. Your oshi is someone to admire and support, while your partner shares real life with you.
Actually, having a boyfriend who understands fan activities has become an important dating criterion. A "boyfriend who respects fan activity time" is ideal for Gen Z girls.
Relationships That Respect Each Other's "Oshi"
Interestingly, there are couples with different oshis. Like the boyfriend supports a game streamer while the girlfriend supports a K-pop idol.
Relationships where you respect each other's fan activities are actually really healthy. They maintain good distance without being too dependent, so many couples last longer.
The Ideal Relationship Gen Z Seeks
What we Gen Zers want from romance might not be that different from before. Just the expression and priorities are different.
Equal and Respectful Relationships
Most importantly, having an equal relationship. We want flat relationships not bound by "because you're a man" or "because you're a woman" stereotypes.
Splitting date costs, sharing housework, supporting each other's careers. That's Gen Z's ideal relationship.
Balancing Private Life and Romance
Not being romance-supremacist is also a Gen Z trait. Partner time is important, but friend time, alone time, and hobby time are equally important.
"Abandoning friends when you get a partner" is a no-go for Gen Z. Rather, we often hang out with everyone including partners.
Realistic Perspective on the Future
Our view of marriage is quite realistic too. Not "marrying because we're in love," but many carefully consider value alignment, economic stability, and shared life plans.
Many see living together not as "pre-marriage" but to "check compatibility." Rather than fearing failure, we want to make the best choice for both.
Conclusion: Gen Z Romance Values Being True to Yourself
After writing about Gen Z's view of love, ultimately what we value is "romance where we can be ourselves."
We master social media, use dating apps, and enjoy fan activities. But these are all just "tools" - the essence of love hasn't changed. Being considerate, respectful, and building comfortable relationships together.
It might be different values from our parents' generation, but that's fine. As times change, forms of love naturally change too. What's important is enjoying romance that fits our generation, in our own way.
Gen Z romance will continue evolving. New social media will emerge, new ways of meeting will appear. But no matter how forms change, the feeling of "falling for someone" surely won't change.
That's why I want to enjoy romance in a Gen Z way, in my own way. I hope you all find your own romance style and have wonderful love experiences!
