N-po generation

N-po generation (Korean: N포세대; Hanja: N抛世代; RR: N-posedae; lit. generation that has given up on N things) is a new term for the generation of people who have given up on numerous things in South Korea. It was first attested as the Sampo generation, which was then expanded to the 'N-po Generation' who gave up on n number of things. 'Sampo generation' and 'N-po generation' can both to refer to the N-po generations as a whole. In a similar term, Japan refers to the Satori generation.^[1]

The Sampo Generation (Korean: 삼포세대; Hanja: 三抛世代; RR: samposedae, "Three giving-up generation") is a closely related term, for people said to have given up on three (sam) things: dating, marriage, and child-rearing. Many of the young generation in South Korea have given up those three things because of social pressures and economic problems, such as increasing cost-of-living, tuition payments, and affordable housing scarcity.^[2]

The Opo Generation has given up an additional two, to make five (o): home ownership and personal relationships. The Chilpo Generation refers to the generation who gave up another two, making seven (chil): their hopes and their careers.^[1][3] Finally, the sippo sedae ("ten giving-up generation") or wanpo sedae ("total giving-up generation") culminates in giving up life.^[4]

Currently, many young people in their 20s and 30s in South Korea are giving up on dating and marriage and putting off having children without a commitment, on the grounds that they cannot afford to care for themselves, let alone a family, due to economic and social pressures, such as soaring prices, tuition fees, job shortages, and home prices.^[1] The Sampo generation is similar to the Satori generation in Japan.^[5]