# South Korean Gen Z's Stress Relief: Tiny Turtle Charms Miniature turtles stuck on phones become symbols of hope for young Koreans. - **Source:** [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-24 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d4cbf82d-1fc9-46f5-b976-2f0bd0d11e50 ## The New Role of Turtles South Korea's Gen Z is coping with stress by sticking tiny turtle charms to their phones. Each color represents a different wish: pink for love, green for health, and yellow for wealth. ## K-Pop Influence This trend went viral after K-Pop stars showcased turtle charms on their phones. Celebrities like Dino from Seventeen and Nayeon from Twice embraced these small symbols, accelerating the trend. ## Artist's Success Seoul-based ceramic artist Selynn Hwang became one of the pioneers of this trend. She displayed handmade turtles at her university graduation exhibition and now produces hundreds weekly. ## Personalized Designs Hwang decorates turtles with symbols like hearts, clovers, and coins. She also creates custom designs representing different professions, such as firefighter and chef turtles. ## Collectibles Trend Turtle charms are part of the global collectibles trend. Young people are turning to small but meaningful products to cope with economic stress. ## Small Symbols of Hope According to Hwang, these turtles have become small symbols of hope and positivity in the busy and stressful lives of young professionals. People feel good by choosing a turtle that represents their wishes. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.businessinsider.com/south-korea-gen-z-turtle-charm-phone-trend-corporate-despair-2026-7 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._