Why Claw Machines Are Trending Again in Korea

Walking through the bustling streets of Korea, you'll notice something much more frequently than before: claw machine arcades. Near subway stations, in university districts, downtown areas, and even in local alley shops, stores filled with bright lights, glass display cases, and dozens of large and small claw machine games have rapidly increased.

Recently, foreign travel has shifted from merely visiting famous tourist spots to directly experiencing the everyday emotions and local life of Koreans. In this regard, claw machine arcades can be a very Korean urban experience. So, why have claw machine arcades become so popular in Korea?

Why are claw machines trending again in Korea now?

The core of the claw machine arcade trend lies not in the emergence of new game content, but in a new consumption pattern. If claw machines of the past were just a corner in an arcade, today's claw machine arcades have become independent commercial spaces. Claw machines offer immediate fun for little money, providing great satisfaction to those who prefer short, intense entertainment without spending a lot. A single play usually costs between 500 and 2,000 won, which is not a heavy burden, and success brings immense joy and a sense of accomplishment. For office workers, claw machines are a 'small but certain happiness' during lunch breaks, and for the younger generation, they are gaining popularity in conjunction with the keyring trend.

As of 2026, the number of unmanned claw machine stores has reportedly doubled compared to the previous year. Most claw machine arcades are unmanned, with well-equipped card payment systems, requiring less operating staff and making 24-hour operation easier. This low barrier to entry for starting a business is also a reason for the rapid expansion of stores.

Keyring, Bag Decorating Trend

If you look closely at claw machine arcades, you'll notice that there are many small game machines focused on small dolls rather than large ones for big dolls. This indicates a connection to the keyring fashion, or 'baek-kku' (bag decorating) trend, where young people attach small dolls to their bags.

Through 'baek-kku', people attach multiple keyrings or cute mini dolls to their bags, pouches, phones, and digital devices to show their fandom and character preferences. This trend seems to be popular among young consumers because it allows them to easily change their style and express their individuality at a relatively low price.

What's different from Japan's Gacha?

To foreigners, Korean claw machine arcades and Japanese gacha shops might seem similar. Both share commonalities: you get character goods for a small amount of money, and the stores are packed with machines. Bandai's capsule toy brand, Gashapon, has become synonymous with capsule vending machines in Japan. You insert money into the capsule machine, turn the handle, and a capsule comes out. This means that while the result might be random, an item is always guaranteed. Users play with the anticipation and fun of what they will get.

In contrast, in Korean claw machines, acquisition itself is not guaranteed. Success is determined by various variables such as crane operation, timing, angle, product placement, and machine settings, and the failure rate is higher than the success rate. So, if gacha is a random collection game, Korean claw machines are closer to a game that requires skill and luck.

What claw machine arcades mean to foreign travelers

For foreigners traveling to Korea for the first time, claw machine arcades can be an easy and affordable local experience. As foreign tourists increasingly move away from landmark-centric tourism to experiencing Korean lifestyles and emotions, claw machine arcades can offer a very good experience. This is because they can directly see and experience how Koreans enjoy themselves now.

A game is just a game!

If claw machines of the past were a nostalgic arcade culture, today's claw machine arcades have become an everyday urban landscape and a consumption trend in Korean cities. The claw machine game, where people challenge themselves and experience both failure and success, injects vitality into their tired daily lives. The happiness felt from picking out a small doll you like and attaching it to your bag is truly a small but certain happiness.