A rapid trend from Korea is reshaping how young people think about identity and compatibility. A 28-question test based on hormonal cues, known as the teto-egen typology, has become a popular shorthand in conversations, dating, and online communities—outpacing MBTI in everyday discussions. The wave has extended into pop culture, fueling debates among educators and researchers alike.
In teto-egen, people are categorized by energy type and interpersonal style. The system identifies four archetypes: teto men who are athletic and bold; egen men who are gentle and appearance-conscious; teto women who are expressive and outgoing; and egen women who are reserved and traditionally feminine. Many youths use these labels to gauge potential romantic compatibility from blind dates to discussions about celebrities. A major Southeast Asian study notes that millions have engaged with these archetypes on Korean personality platforms.
This trend is more than a fad. It reflects a demand for quick, digestible self-knowledge in a digital era that continually reshapes social norms. Among the MZ Generation—Millennials and Gen Z—there is appetite for tools that help them understand themselves and relate to others, even as questions about accuracy persist.
Online communities drive the movement. Across social media, video platforms, and web-based storytelling, people share results, debate alignments, and discuss fashion, dating, and workplace behavior through the teto-egen lens. Public figures in music and entertainment are increasingly discussed in terms of these archetypes. By mid-2025, the test reached a milestone of one million participants on a leading Korean platform, underscoring the rapid growth.
Pop culture has amplified the trend. A late-2024 comedy sketch dramatized rivalries decided by teto and egen traits, featuring a playful “teto transformation” moment that drew broad attention. The spotlight helped normalize discussions of identity tests, though experts caution against overreliance on simple categories.
Experts connect the trend to deeper cultural currents. Korea’s long fascination with personality typing has shifted from blood types to MBTI, both culturally influential. Media representation and education shape how young people understand themselves and others, highlighting why simple labels can feel reassuring yet risky.
What does this mean for Thailand? Thai youth show growing interest in personality typologies—from online MBTI groups to memes about blood types and astrology. The teto-egen trend offers a lens for Thai readers to consider how quick-read classifications shape social life, dating, and identity. Thai psychologists note that while such tools can reduce anxiety and foster belonging, they can also limit self-concept or reinforce stereotypes if taken too literally. As in Korea, awareness and critical thinking are essential.
Thai culture also reflects these patterns. Blood-type quizzes and MBTI have gained traction on campuses and online communities, while hormone-based frameworks remain less common. If similar trends arise, educators, parents, and youth leaders should promote media literacy, balanced self-reflection, and conversations that emphasize nuance over binary labels.
Looking ahead, the desire to understand oneself will likely persist as societies grow more connected and competitive. For Thai readers, the takeaway is to view personality quizzes as conversation starters rather than definitive guides. They can spark curiosity and dialogue, but lasting self-knowledge comes from reflection, experience, and meaningful relationships.
Parents, teachers, and youth mentors should foster media literacy and critical thinking about online trends. Encourage evidence-based approaches to self-discovery—reflection, counseling, and open dialogue—and remind young people that quizzes can open doors to connection but should not define identity or value.
For Thai readers curious about these ideas, remember: self-understanding is a lifelong journey. Enjoy the conversations quizzes generate, but seek deeper connections and resist letting a single tool define who you are.