Seoul: Kwon Ki-hyun, 37, says he has maintained minimal relationships for over a decade, consisting of just his family members and a couple of friends. He rarely left his home unless absolutely necessary, like when he had to buy daily necessities or go to the bank. "I didn't bother to make new connections, and I didn't try hard in the few relationships that I had," Kwon said, reflecting on his years of solitude.

According to Yonhap News Agency, more people have grappled with feelings of reclusiveness and isolation in the past years, with some going as far as to lock themselves away from the outside world completely. The issue has even grabbed the attention of politicians in South Korea. As part of the response to the growing threat of loneliness and reclusiveness, the ruling Democratic Party proposed designating a vice minister for loneliness during its presidential campaign to tackle what it calls the "new-normal phenomena."