Paper diaries, handwritten notes and colorful stationery are finding renewed appeal in South Korea, where consumers accustomed to smartphones and artificial intelligence are rediscovering the pleasure of creating something by hand.
The growing interest in analog hobbies is bringing fresh attention to stationery products once associated mainly with classrooms and offices.
For younger consumers, notebooks and planners are increasingly becoming personal items to decorate, collect and share, rather than simply tools for recording appointments or completing schoolwork.
One popular activity is dakku, a Korean abbreviation for diary decorating, which involves personalizing journals with stickers, colored pens, photographs and decorative tape.
The hobby allows people to turn everyday records into creative projects, combining handwriting with visual design.
The trend is also appearing in retail figures.
South Korean lifestyle platform 29CM reported that sales of stationery products rose more than 71% in June compared with the same month a year earlier. Sales of diaries and planners increased more than 90% during the period.
The growth was notable because diaries have traditionally been associated with the beginning and end of the year, when consumers purchase calendars and planners for the months ahead.
Other products, including book covers, memo pads and customizable binders, have also attracted attention as consumers look for ways to personalize their belongings.
The interest extends beyond diaries. Handwriting practice, copying passages from books and collecting writing instruments are among the activities gaining attention in a culture where digital communication dominates everyday life.
A 2026 survey by market research company Embrain Trend Monitor found that 69.9% of 1,000 South Korean adults aged 19 to 59 agreed that analog activities become more necessary as people spend more time using digital devices.
The findings suggest that the appeal of paper-based hobbies may be connected to a desire for experiences that feel different from constant screen use.
Retailers are responding by expanding stationery selections and organizing events where visitors can explore independent brands and creative products.
At the same time, social media continues to play a role in popularizing analog activities. Photos of decorated notebooks and short videos showing journal layouts allow enthusiasts to exchange ideas and discover new materials.
That combination of physical creativity and online sharing has helped give traditional stationery a contemporary identity.
For consumers, the attraction can be as simple as choosing a notebook, arranging stickers or writing a few lines without relying on an electronic device.
The renewed interest shows how familiar products can find a place in modern lifestyles, even as digital technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily routines.
In South Korea, the return of paper diaries is less about abandoning technology than finding room for a different kind of personal expression.
SOPHIA KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
