Converting the Digital Signal to Analog – The Way of Gen Z

“Latte is horse”––it’s a boomer’s favorite phrase to start the never-ending spiel of their days in the past to the younger generation, many times the Gen Zers. But who says that zoomers will never be the ones to spill the tea from the old days? 

Incorporating the common Korean phrase; “Latte is horse,” into its title, Mnet launched a new program called Z멋대로 하는 생존기: Zㅏ때는 말이야  to introduce the iconic generation that is representative of youth.

*(Due to similarity in pronunciation, “라떼는 말이야” is a phrase that evolved from “나 때는 말이야,” which means “Back in my day” or “When I was your age.”)

Generation Z, or Gen Z, defines the population that embraces the new wave of influencers emerging onto the social scene, ranging from young adults to children. Now, here’s food for thought: what makes Gen Z stand out from other generational cohorts?

Growing up alongside the evolution of technology, the group is typically associated––oftentimes even packaged into the cohesive category––as social media-literate and tech-savvy. With many residing habitually, and almost ritually, in the virtual world of social media, Gen Zers are given the label of “digital natives.” 

But what happens when these so-called digital natives are physically separated from their digital devices? The variety program Z멋대로 하는 생존기: Zㅏ때는 말이야 encapsulates this adventure through the profuse narratives that unfold throughout a series of four episodes.

(Currently lacking an official English translation of the title, the program is referred to as Back when I was Gen Z or Zatte is Horse. For the purpose of this article, the most literal translation Survival of Gen Z: Zatte is Horse will be used.)

Brief Overview

Survival of Gen Z: Zatte is Horse features three pairs of prominent personalities that are given 36 hours to navigate their way in the absence of digital assistance. And when a pair of Gen Zers are encouraged to explore the world without access to mobile devices, it simply radiates chaotic energy. 

Before revealing the first pair of cast members, let’s take a minute to think back to the Korean variety shows that aired in 2013. What comes to mind? That’s right––to all the Dad! Where Are We Going? fans that have been waiting for the reunion of the beloved children on the show, dreams do come true! Constantly mentioned by netizens throughout the years as the nation’s nephews, Yoon Hoo and Lee Junsu make up the first Gen Z pod to appear in Survival of Gen Z: Zatte is Horse. Making their TV debut as singer Yoon Minsoo and actor Lee Jonghyuk’s sons in the MBC variety show, the two individuals garnered immense popularity at the time with their charming and adorable personalities. 

The reappearance of the lovely pair enkindles nostalgic sentiment from viewers; after all, it feels natural to associate the teens with the first public impression of their younger, carefree 2013 versions. Now in their mid-teenage years, Yoon Hoo and Lee Junsu emit an aura of maturity that comes with time. Yet, the pair seems to retain their youthful, positive spirit, brightening up the atmosphere around them. Their first official reunion on this Gen Z-based variety show takes place in Gangwoon Province’s Chugok-ri, the destination for their 36-hour analog adventure. Embarking on their first independent trip without the presence of their parents, the two teens face the ups and downs of getting to their destination, adapting to the rhythm of countryside life, and lighting fire in the furnace for the highlight of the day: cauldron lid-grilled pork belly (솥뚜껑 삼겹살)!

Meanwhile, TV personality Jonathan and rapper Layone star as the second match in the show. Despite the unexpected combination, the partners––both renowned in their respective fields of the entertainment and hip-hop scenes––seem to complement each other quite well. 

In terms of the show, a preeminent divergence occurs in the scene of temporary habitation. The environment that they are expected to reside in for the next day and a half takes Jonathan by surprise—it’s his own house, but something doesn’t feel right. His home, stripped of all electronics, greets the co-stars with a simple paper instruction sheet informing them of their tech-less stay. To carry out the mission, the pair travel around the city of Seoul. From Dongmyo to Namsan, Jonathan and Layone take the time to ramble and drift about in the bustling city landscape. The next day, they involve themselves in a once-in-a-lifetime experience of selling secondhand items at an auction site to raise money for their almost nonexistent travel expenses.

The final pair is Jo Nain and Park Hyerim (Harimu), some of the most eminent dancers who appeared in Mnet’s dance survival spin-off show, Street Dance Girls Fighter. With the dance craze that the consecutive airing of the dance survival programs brought about, the two figures’ appearance on Survival of Gen Z: Zatte is Horse generated a high level of interest—especially with the rumored friendship break spreading among netizens. 

Publicly affirming that they are extremely close friends, Jo Nain and Park Hyerim unveil the quirky chemistry that is naturally fostered from their interactions. Something to look forward to from this match is the difference in personalities based on MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator): the extreme J (Jo Nain) and the extreme P (Park Hyerim). Traveling a considerable distance from Seoul to the city of Gyeongju, the ultimate planner (Jo Nain) finds herself making sense and planning their route around the area. The ultimate spontaneous individual (Park Hyerim), however, does not necessarily plan and rather acts instinctively. Yet, setting aside the pair’s contrasting traits that often create difficulty in decision-making, their common love for dance and affection for one another create a compelling dynamic in their relationship that distinguishes them from the other cast pairs.

Although the show revolves around the cast’s tech-addicted habits, keep in mind that these so-called digital natives, quite ironically, are enthralled with the nostalgic concept of the past. Reviving vintage fashion and curating a modernized cultural interpretation of the past, Gen Z embraces the “throwback” trend by incorporating outfit styles in social media posts and resurrecting the popularity of film cameras or filters. In parallel to the revival of the film cameras, each pair in the show was presented to record their day with a camcorder. Giving the cast the ability to leave a trace of their memories, Survival of Gen Z: Zatte is Horse enhances the fun of the experience for the participants in retrospect.

This duality of the younger generation’s appreciation of nostalgia and love for technology crafts its idiosyncratic nature. To get a glimpse into the complex identity of the generation, join some of the most iconic Gen Zers of the time in their journey to discover the analog world detached from screens.

Edited by Omani