Buddhism may be rooted in millennia of tradition, but in Seoul, it’s getting a hip makeover complete with merchandise, memes and karma-cleansing stations. Long seen as serious and solemn, Buddhism is being reimagined by Korea’s younger generation. A growing number of 20- and 30-somethings are reshaping ancient Buddhist practices into something modern, playful and healing. The movement — dubbed "hip-bul," combining "hip" and with the Korean word for Buddhism — is turning religious ideas into a trendy lifestyle, mixing humor with heritage. Dozens of young visitors flocked to a Buddhist-themed pop-up at I'Park Mall in Yongsan District, Seoul, Thursday. However, they were not there to pray in silence or perform rituals. Instead, they came to enjoy a modern and witty take on Buddhist practices to help them kick start the year with a smile and a sense of relief. Under the theme "May everything go as you say," the pop-up replaces heavy religious teachings with playfulness and humor, offering good-luck items and lighthearted displays designed to appeal to visitors in their 20s and 30s. Th