Video summary

[퍼센트] 영상은 배속 재생, 영화는 n차 관람…Z세대의 '영상 소비 공식' / JTBC 뉴스룸

Main summary

Key takeaways

News and Commentary

Overview

The segment explores how South Korea’s “Gen Z” (people in their 20s) consume digital video differently. Rather than framing it as simple bingeing, it argues they follow a pattern of “speed + repeat/collect experiences.”

Key viewing habits

Fast-forwarding as a default habit

Many in their 20s watch YouTube and similar content at higher playback speeds—often 1.25x–1.5x—to “see more in less time.” The report links this to:

  • Boredom
  • A sense of needing to consume quickly
  • Habits formed during COVID-era home/study routines

It also points to online lecture-style learning as a major origin of faster playback habits.

Short-form “showreel” dominates time

The report describes the standard “long video” as about 15 minutes, after which viewers tend to increase speed. It also emphasizes heavy reliance on short-form “showform” content, with respondents switching among:

  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

A cited survey notes weekday viewing averages of approximately ~75 minutes (ages 15–26) and over ~96 minutes on weekends.

Traditional movie viewing still matters

Even with online fast-forwarding, the segment highlights data suggesting 20-somethings are the most frequent audiences for movies shown in special theaters (rather than standard ones), including:

  • 31%: the highest share across age groups of 20-somethings who watched movies in special theaters last year
  • 35.6%: the highest share of 20-somethings among audiences who watched the hit film “The First Slam Dunk” more than twice this year

Why “n-th viewing” and special venues?

Once viewers feel satisfied with a movie, the segment reports a tendency toward rewatching—described as “n-th viewing.” It also notes that many seek a more premium/special venue experience, adding weight to the idea that Gen Z isn’t only optimizing for speed, but also for repeat and collection of experiences.

Main explanation: social-media-driven peer culture

The analysis attributes these behaviors to Gen Z’s always-connected, smartphone-native peer environment. It suggests:

  • Watching sped-up content stays efficient because friends also do it
  • There is social pressure to “keep up” and remain in the same mode as peers
  • Special theaters provide an “extra layer” beyond typical viewing

This is used to explain why preferences appear split between fast online consumption and immersive offline experiences.

Concern noted, but no clear conclusion

The report acknowledges worries that faster consumption may reduce literacy or concentration (including irritation when others speak more slowly). However, it argues the evidence is not straightforward and that many viewers rely heavily on algorithms, concluding that balanced consumption is important.

Presenters / contributors

  • An Ji-hyun (reporter, Percent)

Original video