With the pandemic seeming almost never ending, over the last two years or so people have been forced to spend more time in their own company and getting to know themselves. Well, in Korea this time of self reflection actually turned into an increase in the popularity of personality quizzes with one trumping them all: the MBTI quiz.

What is the MBTI Test?

The MBTI Test is also known as the Myers-Briggs Test, named after the creators Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers, and it’s an introspective self-report questionnaire (a fancy way of saying self assessing personality test) to try and decipher how one perceives and interacts with the wider world around them.

The test divides you into one of 16 personality types categorised from a combination of 4 letters. The first letter is either E (Extraverted) or I (Introverted), the second N (Intuitive) or S (Sensing), the third T (Thinking) or F (Feeling) and the last J (Judging) or P (Perceiving). Depending on your 4 letter combination, known as your type, it’s supposed to reveal a lot about you.

Now, while that all sounds very impressive, the test has recently been debunked as being extremely biassed and not taking into factors like socio-economic status as well as being too absolutist and not allowing space for situational differences— but if you approach it as just a bit of lighthearted fun you may still learn something about yourself!

Permeating Korea

Accurate or not, people are always interested in seeing if their type truly matches how they see themselves and how supposedly compatible they are with the types of those they hold dear. As such it’s no surprise that it didn’t take long before fans grew curious about the MBTI types of their favourite artists, wondering which members of their favourite groups they might be compatible with. It didn’t take long before entertainment companies picked up on this and started putting out a load of related content.

As it turns out, it looks like the most popular MBTIs amongst idols are INFP (Mediators) and ENFP (Campaigners), both of these types are believed to be creative, ambitious and expressive. N (intuitive) types are supposedly very well in touch with their emotions and F (feeling) types are all about following their heart, so it’s no surprise that these types are known for being dedicated to following their passions. P (perceiving) types are also known for their adaptability and personability which makes sense considering idols are public figures with business schedules.

Ironically however the I (introverted) types just slightly outnumber the E (extroverted) types, it’s believed this is because while idols are public figures, there’s a wall of separation between idols and the rest of the general public which creates a safe space for those I types. Surprisingly the most common type amongst fans is also believed to be INFPs - birds of a feather, right? It’s no wonder the relationship between K-Pop fans and idols is seen as so strong by those outside it.

You’d be wrong in thinking this was the first time something so arbitrary has become such a hot trend in Korea. Just a decade ago people were obsessed with blood types and the supposed personalities tied to them like B blood types being boisterous and AB blood types being a little weird and 4D. Then popular boy group U-Kiss actually created a whole TV series called ‘U-Kiss Vampire’ showing the differences between the different blood types amongst their members whilst going about their idol schedules. Some other fun personality trends you can check out are the Zodiac personalities and the ever popular this or that style ‘Balance Game’ as it’s known in Korea.

So.. What’s Your Type?

If you haven’t taken the MBTI test yet, what are you waiting for!? Time to get with the times! This trend is so popular in Korea that people even get asked their MBTI type in job interviews so not knowing is no longer allowed. If you haven’t tried the MBTI test yet, head to the link below to find out what your type is:

Leave us a comment on the Kooky app or our social media telling us your type and the type of your favourite artists! We can’t help but wonder what the most popular type is amongst our Lighters?

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Writer: Han (O.L)

Editor: Han (O.L)

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