The state of play among youth in South Korea

Korean youth experience academic, social, and environmental pressures that shape opportunities for play. Using nationally representative data, this study examined gender- and school-level differences in play-related factors (e.g., preference, autonomy, opportunities, support, access, and policy needs) to describe the status of play in Korea.

Data from a nationally representative, self-administered survey of 2992 Korean youth, conducted by the NYPI in 2021 was used. The survey employed a modified proportional stratified multi-stage cluster sampling method. Logistic regression models were conducted after adjusting for household economic status and academic achievement.

Boys favored active and outdoor play, while girls preferred indoor, sedentary, or culturally oriented activities. With increasing school-level, active play, autonomy, and supportive environments declined, and academic demands grew. Parental support was most consistent, while teacher and community support decreased. Boys reported better access to programs and play spaces, while girls expressed greater need for adult-facilitated support and policy-driven improvements. Environmental constraints, including limited availability, accessibility, and proximity of play spaces, were most pronounced for older students and girls. Policy needs for play were the greatest among middle and high school students, in the domains of play spaces, program availability, and support for self-directed activities.

Patterns of play among Korean youth appear to be shaped by gender and school-level, showing a clear trajectory of declining active, outdoor, and self-directed play with increasing school-level, and gendered differences in activity type, location, and support. Findings highlight the importance of youth-centered, gender- and developmentally-tailored strategies to foster meaningful play participation for Korean youth.