What have you found fun recently? Since ancient times, humans have been beings who pursue fun. In modern society, we find various forms of fun and feel happiness from them. In 2024, Professor Kim Nando of Trend Korea defined this phenomenon as ‘dopaming’. Dopaming, a combination of dopamine and farming, refers to the behavior pattern of modern people who constantly harvest dopamine through fun. In this article, we will explore the four types of dopaming and their appeal.
Dopaming through Random Situations
The first type is the fun felt in unpredictable situations. The tension and excitement from unexpected results are special. A popular example is the ‘random outfit challenge’ trending on social media. This challenge, where people choose an outfit with their eyes closed, brings laughter with unexpected combinations. In the U.S., Starbucks’ drive-thru offers fun with random drink orders. Saying “Give me your favorite drink” makes the experience more enjoyable as you don’t know what you’ll get.
Dopaming from Absurdity
The second type is the fun felt from absurd actions that deviate from common sense. The ‘Silent Disco DJ Party’ held at Yeouido Hangang Park is a good example. About 300 participants wore headphones and danced quietly, which might have looked strange to passersby. However, participants found new fun in this abnormal situation.
Dopaming through Reckless Challenges
The third type is the fun felt from challenging reckless goals. Red Bull’s ‘Red Bull Stratos’ project is a prime example. In 2012, the first supersonic freefall challenge received massive attention. This reckless challenge recorded 8 million simultaneous viewers and gained huge popularity. Red Bull successfully applied a new marketing concept called ‘storydoing’ through this project.
Dopaming from Bizarre and Sadistic Stress
The last type is the fun felt in situations involving pain and fear, such as haunted house experiences or horror movies. Recently, bizarre ASMR videos have gained popularity, representing this type of fun. Pimple popping, ingrown toenail removal, and ear cleaning may look grotesque but have an addictive charm that keeps viewers watching.
Conclusion
We can understand why we are drawn to dopaming. In modern society, the line between work and play is increasingly blurred, and the pursuit of fun is being reevaluated. If we can feel fun, even for a moment, in our tired daily lives, it provides great comfort. Discover new fun through dopaming. It will bring new vitality to your daily life.