'Filca' is Back... Riding Retro Vibes, Popular Among MZ Generation

"Who cares if the details are lacking"... Riding the wave of analog sentiment and gaining popularity
"Others may see it as a 'failure,' but the developing and printing process itself is charming"
Preference for cute disposable and reusable items like toys... Enjoyment in collecting goods
Experts say, "The inconvenience of analog is felt as 'fun'"

Film cameras are popular among the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z) who seek analog sensibility. Photo by Reader Provided

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] "The charm lies in the emotion you can't feel on a smartphone." "There is a pleasure in waiting."

Film cameras, which seemed to have met their demise due to digital cameras (digital cams), are making a comeback. This resurgence targets the tastes of the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z, born between 1980 and 2010) who seek analog sensibility. Unlike digital cameras, where you can retake hundreds of shots if you make a mistake, film cameras require all your effort just to get one decent shot. However, among the MZ generation, the low-resolution, rough photos are considered more attractive.

On the 15th, we visited a film developing shop located in Chungmuro, Jung-gu, Seoul. This shop offers a hands-on experience of various processes including developing, scanning, and printing films taken with cameras. Yoon Pubbit, the manager of this shop, said, "In the early days of opening, many elderly customers visited, but nowadays, there are more young customers. Some bring old films taken out from their wardrobes and reminisce while looking at the scanned photos, saying 'So this is what happened.'"

Thanks to this, the film developing shop has been thriving for six years. Recently, they also hinted that many couples visit. The process of developing, scanning, and printing film itself has become a date course.

For photos taken with a film camera to be in the hands of the photographer, they must go through the developing-scanning-printing process. 'Developing' refers to chemically treating the exposed film so that the captured image is no longer exposed to light. After developing, the film is scanned to convert it into a digital file, and finally, the printing process produces a physical photo.

Because of this, obtaining photos requires more time and cost. The quality of the photos is also lower, and there is the disadvantage that you cannot check how the photo turned out until it is printed.

Manager Yoon said, "Young generations accustomed to digital cameras find photos from film cameras, where subjects may be blurred or colors faded, rather fascinating. Honestly, they might be bad shots, but they understand the film process itself and enjoy the experience."

Film strip. Photo by Seulgi Yoon seul97@

Choi, a person in their 20s who visited this shop, said, "Taking photos with a phone is convenient and the quality is good, but film cameras have a different charm." He added, "Maybe because more effort goes into it, when I look at photos taken with a film camera, the memories feel clearer. There is also the pleasure of waiting through the developing, scanning, and printing process."

Demand for film cameras, which faced extinction due to consumer neglect, is also increasing. However, as the main consumer base shifts to the MZ generation, there is more demand for disposable or mid-range cameras that allow experiencing film sensibility rather than high-end professional cameras costing millions of won.

Film cameras capturing analog sensibility are also gaining popularity as props. Photo by Reader Provided.

Especially recently, with the release of small and cute-shaped film cameras, demand as props has increased mainly among young women. In fact, the number of Instagram hashtags for 'filka' (film camera) reaches one million.

Kim Min-hye, a 25-year-old office worker, is deeply into collecting film camera 'goods' (planned merchandise). She said, "The designs of goods released by brands or exhibitions are diverse and stimulate the desire to collect. Collecting cute disposable cameras is also one of my hobbies."

Experts analyze this revival of film cameras as a 'Newtro (New + Retro) phenomenon.' Professor Lee Eun-hee of Inha University’s Department of Consumer Studies explained, "The MZ generation is familiar with digital, so they tend to find the discomfort from analog that older generations feel as 'fun' and 'new.' Retro is also a culture the MZ generation has not experienced, so they find it attractive."

Professor Lee added, "They are used to everything coming out instantly and perfectly like with digital cameras or smartphones, so the hazy feeling or imperfection from photos with lots of noise and lower quality seems to evoke nostalgia for the past."

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