6 hours Ago By Korea Bizwire
Visitors test out keyboards on display at the 2nd Seoul Mechanical Keyboard Expo, held at SETEC in Gangnam District, Seoul, on April 23 (Yonhap) SEOUL, April 26 (Korea Bizwire) — In a quiet shop tucked into Seoul’s tech hub of Yongsan, a line of visitors snakes past gleaming rows of keyboards — not computers, just keyboards. Each visitor leans in, tapping delicately, listening. Some nod approvingly at a soft “clack,” others recoil from a sharper “snap.
” Welcome to the world of mechanical keyboards — the latest obsession sweeping South Korea’s millennials and Gen Z. For this new generation of office workers, mechanical keyboards have evolved far beyond functional tools. They are now objects of craftsmanship, personalization, and even therapy.
On the afternoon of April 23, a mechanical keyboard featuring cat- and toast-shaped keycaps was on display at a keyboard testing shop in Yongsan District, Seoul. (Yonhap) Unlike the rubbery humdrum of membrane keyboards, mechanical models feature individual switches beneath each key, offering crisp precision, a range of tactile sensations, and a symphony of sounds. Enthusiasts speak the language of “milky,” “coral,” “sea,” and “chatter” switches — each delivering its own nuanced experience.
And they are willing to pay for it. Prices range from ₩80,000 to ₩300,000 ($55 to $205), sometimes sparking frenzies for limited-edition releases. By comparison, standard membrane keyboards often cost less than ₩10,000.
On the afternoon of the 23rd, a variety of uniquely designed mechanical keyboards were on display at a keyboard testing shop in Yongsan District, Seoul. (Yonhap) On a weekday afternoon earlier this month, dozens of young visitors at one Yongsan shop were absorbed in “타건” — the Korean term for testing keyboards by typing. Hands fluttered across keys.
Some paused, savoring the muted “do-deok” of a silent sea switch, others delighted in the crisp “chalat-chalat” of a chatter switch. “It’s about more than typing — it’s about feeling good while you work,” said Shin Ji-yeon, 27, who uses a silent milky-switch keyboard in her office. “Typing becomes something fun.
It’s stress relief.” In a society where personal expression in the workplace is often limited, the keyboard has become an unlikely canvas. Some professionals choose minimalist Korean-only engraved keyboards; others deck theirs out with cat-shaped or toast-shaped keycaps.
More Than Just Typing: The Mechanical Keyboard Boom Among South Korea’s Young Office Workers” (Image created by ChatGPT) “You look at it all day — it might as well make you happy,” said Shin Dong-joo, 34, who chose his keyboard purely for its aesthetic. Offline, the scene is flourishing. The Seoul Mechanical Keyboard Expo 2025, held last month, drew throngs of aficionados eager to meet global designers and craft their own keycaps.
Online, the movement is even stronger: YouTube and Naver Blog are saturated with keyboard tours, sound test ASMR videos, and “best office keyboard” recommendations. What drives this fervor? According to Lee Hong-joo, a professor of consumer economics at Sookmyung Women’s University, it’s a potent mix of self-expression, professionalism, and what Koreans call “소확행” — small but certain happiness. “Mechanical keyboards allow users to say, ‘This is who I am,’” Lee said.
“They’re also a relatively affordable luxury — a way to enhance your daily life without breaking the bank.” And the movement shows no sign of slowing. With peer influence growing both online and in open-plan offices, mechanical keyboards are poised to remain a mainstay of South Korea’s office culture — one satisfying keystroke at a time.
Lina Jang ([email protected]).
