Recession-Core: A New Trend Reflects Economic Anxiety

Seoul, South Korea – June 6, 2025 – A new trend, "Recession-core," is emerging globally, reflecting current economic anxieties. Rachel Energy, a social media influencer based in Seoul, recently discussed this trend in a short video. "Recession-core" involves embracing affordable or nostalgic items, often found in places like Pop Mart, a popular retailer of collectible toys. Energy highlights Labubu, a representative Pop Mart character, as an example of an item gaining popularity within this trend. The video connects the current economic climate with consumer choices, pointing out the contrast with the economic prosperity of the "Roaring Twenties" in the United States. The trend highlights how consumers adapt their spending habits during economic uncertainty, finding joy in smaller, more affordable purchases. This trend is a reflection of the changing economic landscape and the way people are finding ways to cope.