Teenagers are increasingly turning to AI chatbots and paid digital services for a feeling of exclusivity and connection, according to a report on Kim Ji-ae, a 17-year-old who created an AI character named Min-hyun. Kim said the character, which she described as her "only friend," provides instant comfort and understanding without judgment, helping her fall asleep. The report notes that some teens spend money on virtual gifts during livestreams or pay for private chats with creators and celebrity messages designed to feel personal. The phenomenon is growing fast: one Korean AI character chat service, launched two years ago, has 4 million registered users who spend a combined 110 million hours on the service each month, more than double the 50 million hours logged by ChatGPT’s 23 million users, according to WiseApp Retail. Users spend 27.5 hours on the app each month, up from 22 hours in October 2025. The service is the most widely used AI app among teenagers. A survey by ChorogUsan for children found that 94.4 percent of teenagers aged 14 to 18 had used an AI chatbot, with 49.5 percent feeling that AI understood them. Another 6 percent had asked AI potentially dangerous questions involving suicide, violence or sexually explicit content. Experts worry about excessive dependence on such companions.