pDs Lee Young-ji and Na Young-seok break down the craze of playing Gyeonggi (Cops and Thieves), the new play culture of Generation MZ through Carrot Market, as well as the side effects and safety tips to watch out for, including the recent controversy over hunting corruption, noise complaints, and the ban on Han River Park.

what is the new MZ play culture that has become an epidemic in carrots?

have you recently witnessed the sight of dozens of adult men and women sprinting and chasing each other in an apartment complex or park late at night? It looks like a movie scene or a crime scene, and it's the scene of Kyunggi (Cops and Thieves), a new play culture that is sweeping South Korea in 2025. the sweaty, childhood pastime of the schoolyard has been revived by smartphones and hyperlocal platform carrots to become the hippest trend of the 2030s. we take a deep dive into why grown adults are running around breathlessly at night, and what social implications and side effects this phenomenon has beyond just a fad.

the 100,000-person fever of Lee Young-ji and Na Young-seok

the craze was fueled by rapper Lee Young-ji, an iconic member of the MZ generation, who posted a short phrase on her social media asking for people to play hardball, and the response exploded, reaching a whopping 100,000 applicants and forcing the application form to be closed early. The craze grew out of control when it was announced that PD Na Young-seok, the Midas touch of the entertainment industry, would be joining the project. the 100,000 figure is a testament to how hungry the public was for dynamic offline activities and real-life encounters beyond online interactions. it's a testament to how simple play can scale into big content, and suggests that a generation of digital natives are paradoxically infatuated with the most analog of play.

why carrots? The power of loose solidarity

at the epicenter of the longitude craze is the local living community carrot. whereas in the past, close friends were the main actors in play, now strangers are brought together in impromptu groups through the carrot's gathering function. in sociology, this is described as The Strength of Weak Ties. as isolation increases, people feel more secure in loose, casual connections than in deep relationships. people who work alone, such as solopreneurs and freelancers, use this play to get out into the world. the clean-cut nature of the game, where people don't ask each other's names or ages, just immerse themselves in the roles of cops and thieves, and then coolly part ways, is liberating for relationship fatigue-weary moderns. It's also a powerful testament to the evolution of Carrot Market from a simple thrift store to a platform for slipper-sporting, slacker culture.

the rules of hardness play and the details of the adult version

the basic rules are similar to what we know. participants are divided into two teams, cops and thieves, and the thief tries to evade the cops for a limited amount of time, while the cops catch the thief and take them to jail (a designated location). Once caught, the thief is locked in jail and can escape by being touched by a fellow thief who hasn't been caught yet. the adult version of the game, Carrot Crime, adds a few more details. there's a chase with real-time location sharing using smartphone GPS, or a combination of nametag tearing like Running Man. There are also rules of etiquette that give the thieves permission to get away if the cops are too lax, or regulate the intensity of physical contact when grabbing for safety. it's usually short and sweet, lasting around an hour, and it's a great workout, so much so that it's emerged as an alternative to running crews.

light and shadow hunting spoilage and noise complaints alert

just as every fad has its bright side and its dark side, longitudinal play has its fair share of side effects. first, the purpose of the gathering can become corrupted. we've heard countless stories of people who went out for purely childlike play, only to have the atmosphere ruined by people approaching them for hookups (hunting). We're seeing more and more frowned upon practices like 20 minutes of play and then heading straight to the bar to force a second round, or collecting dues and dumping it into a nightlife fund. it's important to check the temperature of the carrot manners or know the disposition of the meetup organizer in advance. Second, there's the issue of noise pollution and safety. late-night screaming and running around in residential neighborhoods has led to complaints from neighbors. police are often called in to order the group to disperse, and this is a major cause of the decline in play culture.

han River Park bans and how to play safely

recently, some neighborhoods, such as Yeouido Hangang Park, have tried to ban the sport. this is because there have been incidents where sprinting participants have collided with and injured pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact, there have even been cases where members of the public have been mistaken for participants and chased. To maintain a healthy play culture, participants should wear glow-in-the-dark bracelets or vests to identify themselves, avoid areas with large numbers of regular pedestrians, use large, secluded sports parks and vacant lots, and refrain from shouting after 10 p.m. experts point out that for this retro play to become more than a passing fad and become a healthy pastime, it needs to be accompanied by platform-level guidelines and mature citizenship from participants.

the bottom line

hardcore play is an intriguing phenomenon that shows that Generation MZ, stuck in a digital world, is craving offline, sweaty solidarity. As Lee Young-ji's 100,000 people event showed, the openness of the game and the freedom of anonymity are key to this trend. but noise nuisance, safety incidents, and the degradation of gatherings are issues that need to be addressed. so tonight, why not put down your smartphone and join your neighbors for a game of breathless chase, but be sure to keep safety and etiquette in mind.

related Articles How to Pick the Right Carrot Market Gathering and Etiquette Tips for Checking the Temperature Related Articles Analyzing the MZ Generation Retro Trend From Full Bloom to Hardness Related Articles Essential Safety Gear for Nighttime Running and Outdoor Activities

frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Q1. Where can I find Gyeonggi-do groups? You can usually find them in the Neighborhood Life tab or Groups category of the Carrot Market app. you can also search for cops and thieves, hide and seek, etc. in the search bar to see recruitment posts, and there are also many local groups in KakaoTalk open chat rooms.

Q2. How do I tell if a meetup is about meeting people or getting drunk? Read the description carefully - if it says something like "meetup required," or "1:1 gender ratio," it's more likely to be about meeting people rather than playing. A healthy meetup will emphasize exercise, pure fun, and no pressure to drink, and it's also a good idea to check out reviews from previous participants.

Q3. Can I join if I'm not athletic? Yes, you can. we're a fun group, not a professional running crew, so your fitness or athletic ability is not critical - you'll be walking and running, and you can go at your own pace. however, comfortable sneakers and clothing are a must to prevent injury.

Q4. What should I bring to participate? Comfortable clothes and sneakers are the basics. since it is often held at night, it is recommended to wear glow-in-the-dark bracelets or brightly colored clothes to distinguish yourself from the general public and ensure your safety. You can sweat a lot, so you should also bring water or ionic drinks.

Q5. Can I play light games in Han River parks? While not prohibited in all Han River parks, some areas with large crowds, such as Yeouido Han River Park, may prohibit group running or games to prevent safety accidents. it is recommended that you check the park's regulations before visiting, or choose a time and place that is not crowded.