tiger boom
Tiger boom is the word across South Korea. Cultural symbols sell out, drone shows light up skies, mascots roar on merchandise. But these are not living tigers. They are shadows. Imaginary animals elevated into folklore while the real ones vanished a century ago. The last wild tiger was seen in 1924, yet the craze grows stronger each year. Souvenirs sell, snacks get branded, streaming platforms profit. A hollow boom. Meanwhile, wild tigers remain first-grade endangered species. None left to roam Korea’s forests.
Researcher Lim Jeong-eun says affection is fine, but meaningless unless linked to action. Tigers are not national property. They cross borders, roaming 400 to 1,000 square kilometers. Protecting them in Russia and China is protecting Korea’s legacy too. Biologically, restoration may be possible — food exists, space exists. The real obstacle is us. Human tolerance. A tiger injuring one person would trigger backlash. For deeper context on captivity, see our cornerstone on zoos and captivity.
Based on Korea JoongAng Daily, South Korea.
Photo via Korea JoongAng Daily.
