Learn Korean: Young Investors' Passion for Stocks

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Korean Reading Practice

“생활비 빼곤 모조리 주식 올인”…청춘들의 이유있는 투...

Date: April 06, 2026

Introduction

This text discusses the growing investment fever among young people in Korea, particularly college students. It explores their reasons for investing heavily in stocks, despite the risks and relatively low returns.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
주식 jusik stocks 주식에 투자하는 것이 유행이 되고 있습니다.Investing in stocks is becoming a trend.
투자 tuja investment 많은 대학생들이 투자에 열심입니다.Many college students are enthusiastic about investing.
수익률 suikryul rate of return 그들의 수익률은 낮은 편입니다.Their rate of return is relatively low.
레버리지 rebeorijeu leverage 레버리지 사용에 대한 경고가 있었습니다.There were warnings about the use of leverage.
적금 jeokgeum regular savings 오랫동안 적금을 했지만 이자가 낮아 실망했습니다.I was disappointed that the interest on my long-term savings was low.
지수 추종 ETF jisu chujong ETF index-tracking ETF 지수 추종 ETF에 투자하는 것이 더 나아 보입니다.Investing in an index-tracking ETF seems better.
허탈감 heotalgam sense of disappointment 이자가 너무 낮아 허탈감이 들었습니다.I felt a sense of disappointment because the interest was so low.
대학가 daehakga university/college campus 대학가에서도 주식 투자 열풍이 불고 있습니다.The stock investment fever is also sweeping through university campuses.
저가 매수 jeoga maesu buying at low prices 많은 대학생들이 저가 매수에 올인하고 있습니다.Many college students are going all-in on buying at low prices.
열풍 yeolpung fever, craze 대학생 사이에서 주식 투자 열풍이 불고 있습니다.There is a stock investment fever among college students.

Reading Text

지난달 18일 서울 마포구 홍익대학교에서 열린 한국투자증권 '캠퍼스 투어' 현장을 보면, 주식 투자에 관심이 있는 대학생들로 300석 규모의 강의실이 꽉 차 있었다. 강연자가 "부자가 되는 확실한 공식이 있다"고 말하자, 학생들은 휴대전화를 꺼내 강의 자료를 촬영하기 시작했다.

The scene at the "Campus Tour" event held by Korea Investment Securities in Mapo-gu, Seoul last month showed that a 300-seat lecture hall was packed with college students interested in stock investment. When the speaker said, "There is a surefire formula to becoming rich," the students immediately took out their phones to take pictures of the lecture materials.

대학가에서도 주식 열풍이 불고 있다. 김형준(25)씨는 "오랫동안 적금을 부었는데도 이자가 너무 낮아 '내가 이걸 왜 했지' 하는 허탈감이 들었다"며 "차라리 지수 추종 ETF에 투자하는 게 나아 보인다"고 말했다.

The stock investment fever is also sweeping through university campuses. Kim Hyeong-jun (25) said, "Even though I've been diligently saving in a regular savings account for a long time, the interest was so low that I felt a sense of disappointment, thinking 'Why did I do this?' Instead, investing in an index-tracking ETF seems better."

하지만 정작 손실을 보고 있는 학생이 많았다. 올해 1~2월 20대와 30대의 수익률(원금 대비 기간 수익률)은 각각 1.37%, 2.11%에 그쳤다. 레버리지 사용에 대한 경고음도 있었다.

However, many students were actually incurring losses. The rate of return (period return on the original investment) for those in their 20s and 30s was only 1.37% and 2.11% respectively in January and February this year. There were also warnings about the use of leverage.

이처럼 대학생들 사이에서 주식 투자 열풍이 불고 있지만, 실제 수익률은 낮은 편이다. 이들은 "부자가 되는 확실한 공식"을 찾아 헤매고 있지만, 아직 그 길은 요원해 보인다.

While there is a stock investment fever sweeping through college students, the actual rate of return is relatively low. They are searching for the "surefire formula to becoming rich," but that path still seems distant.

대학생들이 주식 투자에 열심인 이유는 무엇일까? 그들은 적금의 저조한 수익률에 실망하고, 주식 시장에서 큰 수익을 올릴 수 있을 것이라 기대하고 있다. 하지만 손실 위험도 크다는 점을 간과하고 있는 것 같다.

Why are college students so enthusiastic about stock investment? They are disappointed by the low returns on regular savings, and are hoping to generate large profits in the stock market. However, they seem to be overlooking the significant risk of losses.

이처럼 대학생들의 주식 투자 열풍은 복잡한 양상을 보이고 있다. 그들은 적금에 실망하고 주식으로 큰 수익을 내고자 하지만, 실제로는 낮은 수익률과 큰 위험에 직면하고 있다. 이러한 현상은 젊은이들의 재무 의식과 투자 행태를 보여주는 단면이라고 할 수 있다.

The stock investment fever among college students is showing a complex pattern. They are disappointed with regular savings and are seeking to generate large profits through stocks, but in reality, they are facing low returns and high risks. This phenomenon reflects a glimpse into the financial consciousness and investment behavior of young people.

Grammar Points

-는 편이다 tend to / be rather

Attached to a verb/adjective stem to express a tendency or general inclination ('tend to be / rather'). Here it means the actual returns are on the low side.

📖 이처럼 대학생들 사이에서 주식 투자 열풍이 불고 있지만, 실제 수익률은 낮은 편이다. Like this, although a stock investment craze is sweeping among college students, the actual returns tend to be low.

✏️ 저는 아침을 잘 안 먹는 편이에요. I tend not to eat breakfast much.

Cultural Notes

The growing stock investment fever among young people in Korea reflects a broader shift in financial attitudes and behaviors. Traditionally, Koreans have tended to favor more conservative savings options like regular savings accounts. However, the low interest rates in recent years have led many young people to seek higher returns through riskier investments like stocks. This trend is also influenced by the increasing accessibility of online trading platforms and the prevalence of investment-related content on social media.

Source: 네이버 뉴스 | Original Article
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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

Why are college students interested in stock investment?

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Q2

What were the actual returns on stock investments for those in their 20s and 30s?

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Q3

What warning was given regarding the use of leverage?

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Q4

How do college students view the "surefire formula to becoming rich" through stock investment?

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Q5

What are the risks and challenges that college students are facing in their stock investment activities?

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