Open Chat Room Job Posting Filled in 3 Minutes
15,000 to 50,000 KRW Paid Upon Successful Purchase
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] South Korea ranks first in the world for luxury consumption per capita. Interest in ‘luxury consumption’ is hotter than ever. This phenomenon is interpreted as a result of the Veblen effect, where demand increases despite rising prices due to conspicuous consumption, combined with the normalization after COVID-19. The atmosphere is becoming intense even for so-called ‘open-run’ part-time jobs, where people line up before business hours to buy luxury goods.
On the 3rd, Ms. Kim Jihyun (26) said, "It has been a month since I joined the ‘open-run line-up job recruitment and job-seeking clients’ open chat room," adding, "The hourly wage is relatively high, and I watch Netflix while waiting."
Ms. Kim lined up for a total of 6 hours from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and earned 90,000 won. This means the hourly wage is 15,000 won. If she lines up from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., not during early morning hours, she receives 50,000 won. She explained that when purchasing watches from Company A or handbags from Company B, an additional amount ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 won can be earned. Open-run part-timers also share useful tips such as ‘success bonuses of at least 150,000 won,’ ‘dress code warnings,’ and ‘carrying ID cards.’
Since they can work during specific time slots, some hold two jobs. Mr. Choi, a delivery rider in his 40s, said, "I am doing a second job for pocket money," adding, "Recently, the competition for open-run jobs has intensified, and when a notice is posted in the open chat room, it closes within 3 minutes." Mr. Lee Yeonwoo (35) also said, "It’s good for light part-time work while freelancing," and "It’s convenient because job postings appear in real time when you join the open chat room."
According to Albamon on the 3rd, there were a total of 74 job postings recruiting line-up part-timers over 10 days from the 23rd of last month to the 1st of this month. The job postings included phrases like ‘part-timers who can just lie down and look at their phones,’ and the hourly wage was around 10,000 won, slightly higher than the minimum wage (9,620 won). Generally, the high hourly wage and the ability to work according to one’s schedule were cited as major advantages. Ms. Kim Jiyu (32), who works part-time hourly, said, "It’s burdensome to accept work by setting dates in advance," adding, "Every day at 7 a.m., open-run job postings for after 11 a.m. on the same day are uploaded. The hourly wage is high, but the work intensity is low, so it’s good for a short 3 to 4-hour job." Among young people, reselling rare items at a premium is also active.
Experts analyzed this as an effect of the Veblen effect combined with the revival of suppressed consumer sentiment due to the easing of social distancing.
Professor Kwak Geumju of the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University explained, "Last year, a survey showed that South Korea was the country with the highest luxury consumption per capita," adding, "The Veblen effect, where demand increases because higher prices or luxury items are perceived as special, seems to be partially reflected." She also added, "As face-to-face meetings become more active due to mask removal, demand for luxury goods will increase, and the open-run phenomenon may intensify."
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