Korean media reports on Taiwan's "Beggar Superhero" phenomenon! Revealing the plight of high housing prices and low wages, young people say: "Our romance is beyond your understanding."

South Korean media reported that Taiwan's economy is experiencing high growth driven by semiconductors, yet young people face high housing prices and low wages, becoming "beggar superheroes" scrambling for discounted near-expiry goods. Taiwanese youth argue that this is a form of pragmatic consumption.

The Hankyoreh described Taiwanese youth as "beggar superheroes" living in "egg shell zones," noting that while Taiwan enjoys high growth rates from semiconductor exports, ordinary young people suffer from high housing costs, low salaries, and heavy living expenses, forcing them to live in egg shell zones or with their parents, and even rush to buy near-expiry convenience store bento boxes and fresh produce, turning them into "beggar superheroes." However, Taiwanese youth offer a different perspective on the "beggar superhero" label, viewing it as a pragmatic consumption choice and a unique "romance" of young life, arguing it should not be reduced to a negative label that overlooks their flexible adaptability within limited resources.

South Korean Media Reports Taiwanese Youth as "Beggar Superheroes" in "Egg Shell Zones"

The Hankyoreh published an in-depth report titled "'Beggar Superheroes' Living in 'Egg Shells' – Taiwan's Semiconductor Boom Is Not Just Someone Else's Problem!" exploring Taiwan's economic structure, especially the hidden concerns behind macroeconomic data. Benefiting from global AI demand, Taiwan's Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics revised this year's GDP growth forecast to 9.64%. However, the Korean media pointed out that beneath the surface of "wealthy Taiwan," citizens bear high housing costs, low wages, and heavy living burdens. The report interviewed several Taiwanese people, some of whom are "kangaroo kids" living with parents due to inability to afford independent living, some who dare not have children, and noted that a group of young Taiwanese always rush to buy near-expiry convenience store bento boxes and fresh produce, becoming "beggar superheroes."

K-Shaped Economy Engulfs Taiwan and South Korea; Young People Turning to Stock Trading for a Comeback?

Both Taiwan and South Korea have recently faced a pronounced "K-shaped economy" effect, where a single high-tech industry dominates while wage growth in traditional industries and services remains limited. This uneven industrial development is directly reflected in the high housing costs for young people—for example, Taipei's price-to-income ratio reaches 15 times. With rising home purchase barriers, young people are forced to live in so-called egg shell zones or become "kangaroo kids" living with parents.

The younger generations in both countries have increasingly turned to the stock market, hoping to hedge against inflation through financial asset appreciation. According to Taiwan's stock exchange, as of April 2026, the cumulative number of securities account holders surpassed 14.2 million. In other words, nearly 3 out of every 5 people in Taiwan participate in the stock market. Meanwhile, South Korea's total securities accounts are twice its population, with many young Koreans viewing the stock market as their "only hope" for turning their lives around. Over the past year, stock returns in Taiwan and South Korea have far exceeded those in other countries. Besides the semiconductor boom, retail investors have also played a significant role.

What's Wrong with Being a "Beggar Superhero"? You Don't Understand Our Romance

The South Korean media report mentioned that Taiwanese youth seek discounted bento boxes due to economic pressure, using the online term "beggar superhero" to describe the phenomenon. However, many young Taiwanese have rebutted this narrative. They argue that buying near-expiry food is not purely a sign of financial hardship, but rather a pragmatic consumption strategy in a high-cost environment. It also helps reduce food waste and reallocate funds to investments or more personally valuable experiences. Convenience store "Friendly Hours" and "iFresh Food" have become a unique "romance" of young Taiwanese life, and this flexible adaptability under resource constraints should not be judged merely through a negative label.

• This article is republished with authorization from: Chain News.
• Original title: South Korean Media's In-depth Report on Taiwan's K-Shaped Economy and "Beggar Superheroes": Young Taiwanese Say, "You Don't Understand Our Romance"
• Original author: Florence