Order Pizza, Chicken, and Tteokbokki for 0 Won... "Dopamine-Inducing Frugal Shopping" by Korean Gen Z Draws Global Attention

'Fake Delivery Apps' Gain Popularity
Psychological Satisfaction Without Real Orders
'Fake Consumption' Helps Reduce Overspending and Delivery Addiction

So-called 'fake delivery apps,' which allow users to experience the ordering process without making actual purchases, are gaining popularity among young people in Korea.

You can experience the payment process without actual orders and even check the saved costs and calories. Screenshot of the 'EumsikAnwayo' app.

These platforms let users select food and go through the ordering experience in the same way as regular food delivery services, but no food is actually delivered and no payment is made. Nevertheless, users respond positively, saying they can feel a psychological satisfaction similar to real consumption.

Users can choose virtual restaurants and menu items, add them to their cart, and proceed with entering their address and contact information before making a payment. Orders can also be placed without entering any address or contact details.

Once the order is completed, the restaurant receives the order and a virtual delivery rider is assigned. The estimated delivery time and real-time tracking route are displayed just like on actual delivery apps. At the end, users receive a notification that the food has arrived and can check the amount of money and calories they've saved by not making a real purchase.

Virtual shopping malls that can be used like real shopping malls are gaining popularity. Screenshot of the Sajasa site

'Virtual Shopping Malls' Are Also Popular... The Fun of Reading Reviews

There are also virtual shopping malls that help curb the urge for impulse shopping. In April, an X (formerly Twitter) user named 'Bbut' created 'Sajasa,' a website where users can add items to their shopping cart, make virtual payments, and write reviews, just like on a real online shopping mall.

However, the items for sale are things you cannot find in real life. For example, in the home appliances category, there is a 'space-time leap device' priced at 10 million won. Users leave entertaining reviews, such as "Received a defective product. It just makes a buzzing sound. I set it for time-slip to the Joseon Dynasty but ended up in the dinosaur era and got into a traffic accident with a Brachiosaurus," and "I bought it to stop Elon Musk from buying Twitter, but a warning popped up. So now I just smack him on the back of the head every day and run away. Highly recommended."

This site was inspired by 'KauKau,' a virtual shopping mall that first became a sensation in Japan. KauKau gained popularity by virtually selling extraordinary items like 'invisibility cloaks' and 'calorie minus fried food,' as well as supporting payment and review features.

Korea's 'Dopamine Sites' Attract Global Attention... "Psychological Satisfaction Without Real Consumption"

This trend is also attracting attention overseas. On June 24 (local time), The Times reported, "Fake delivery apps are trending among Korea's Gen Z," and noted that "'dopamine sites,' which provide enjoyment without the burden of cost, calories, or health, are spreading."

The psychology journal Psychology Today explained, "The pleasure felt in the process of anticipating a purchase is maintained, while no actual consumption takes place." The journal added that these sites may also help reduce stress and loneliness and provide a behavioral alternative to impulse buying or overspending.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.