In this blog post, we’ll explore why people continue to use pencils and pens and seek out handwriting and an analog sensibility, even in an era where digital devices have become part of everyday life.
In the 21st century, the world we live in today is one where “typing” characters has become more common than “writing” them by hand. With the rapid advancement and widespread adoption of smartphones—beyond just computers—we now obtain most of our information through devices no bigger than the palm of our hand. In South Korea today, smartphones have become the standard means of searching for information and communicating, and smartphone use has become a very common way of life across most age groups. The so-called “digital age” has arrived. In the past, Samsung Electronics’ “Galaxy Note Series” gained immense popularity by combining a larger screen than other smartphones with the S Pen, allowing users to write and take notes on their smartphones just as they would in a physical notebook. Although the “Galaxy Note Series” did not continue as a separate product lineup afterward—with its core features carried over to the Galaxy S Series Ultra models and the S Pen—the practice of handwriting on smart devices continues to evolve. In this way, people have naturally integrated themselves into the digital environment—not only for sending and receiving information but also for storing it. In contrast, in 2014, Monami released a limited-edition version to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 153 ballpoint pen. As soon as it was released, buyers flocked to it, causing a surge in traffic to the retailer’s website and leading to the product selling out quickly. Although the limited-edition status played a role, people did not turn their backs on this long-standing writing instrument simply because it was “old-fashioned.” Rather, this case demonstrated that interest in analog writing instruments remained strong even during a time of rapid digital adoption. In fact, the “Monami 153 Limited 1.0 Black,” released in 2014, was sold in a limited run of 10,000 units; immediately after its release, the online stock sold out quickly, and the company’s website experienced a surge in traffic. Thus, even in the digital age, pencils and ballpoint pens have not fallen out of favor; rather, interest in handwriting and calligraphy continues to grow.
In the digital age, when touching a screen or tapping a keyboard has become more natural than handling paper, why do people still use pencils? Some might cite reasons such as their light weight, affordability, or widespread availability. However, since laptops and smartphones are becoming increasingly lightweight and portable—and smart devices are widely used in daily life—it is difficult to explain the preference for pencils solely on the basis of price or weight. Furthermore, while some may argue that information stored on electronic devices is at high risk of loss due to power outages or other issues, this risk can be significantly reduced by regularly backing up data to multiple storage locations.
Nevertheless, I sought to find the reason why people still use pencils in a problem that is emerging anew in this era. While smartphones have made life more convenient, they have also led us to stare at our screens even during moments meant for conversation with friends and family. Warm, heartfelt conversations are disappearing, replaced by digital signals and radio waves. It’s as if people are becoming mechanized, gradually losing their human sensibilities. However, handwriting created with a pencil conveys emotions that typed text simply cannot match. It doesn’t matter whether one’s handwriting is beautiful or not. In writing where each character is imbued with thought and care, the writer’s effort and affection are palpable, and that sense of excitement is conveyed. A note secretly written by tearing a page from a notebook during class carries tension, fun, and a sense of urgency, while a love letter sent to a partner is filled with devotion and love.
Many things around us are gradually becoming digitized. Amid this trend, people are actually feeling a sense of resistance to digitization and are striving to preserve an analog sensibility. At the heart of this movement are pencils and pens. By using pencils and pens to write by hand on paper, people are seeking to revive the analog sensibility they once possessed. This phenomenon isn’t limited to handwriting written directly on paper. People have begun searching for “handwritten fonts” in document programs like Hangul and Word, as well as on websites such as blogs. On social media, which we check daily, it’s common to see photos of stylish phrases written in handwriting receive many “likes.” The use of handwriting in movie posters and advertisements also aligns with this trend. In fact, it is said that the title on the poster for the movie ‘Tazza’ was written by calligrapher Lee Sang-hyun, who, after personally experiencing gambling at a casino, captured the state of mind and emotions of that moment in his fluid, sweeping strokes. If the title “Tazza” had simply been typed on a computer, the poster would not have fully conveyed the intended impact.
This blog post was also written on a laptop keyboard, and it’s true that digital documents are more convenient to save and retrieve—unrestricted by time or place—as long as you have the device. However, there are still situations that call for handwriting—imbued with humanity and emotion, much like a letter—and this need will continue into the future. Even as digital technology continues to advance, the significance of handwriting—which directly conveys human thoughts and emotions—will not disappear. Therefore, even in the digital age, pencils and paper will survive as more than just tools for recording; they will remain as mediums that convey human emotion and analog experiences.
