"If You Go to Daiso, It's 1,000 Won"... 4 Million Won Logo Cost, Balenciaga's Bold Challenge [Newspick]①

Editor's NoteWe present selected news stories that resonated with many readers on the internet during the first to third quarters of 2024, along with their backstories. During the abundant Chuseok holiday season, we hope you take some time to recharge by revisiting the popular articles from the past nine months.

"You can buy it for 1,000 won at Daiso"... The Humiliation of a Balenciaga Bracelet Priced Over 4 Million Won (Reporter Goonari)

The fashion challenge of the French luxury brand Balenciaga continued this year as well. In March, the brand drew attention by unveiling a bracelet resembling transparent tape in its 2024 Fall/Winter collection. The reason was none other than its striking similarity to ordinary transparent tape sold at Daiso. However, due to the Balenciaga logo embossed on it, the price soared to 3,000 euros, well over 4 million won.

Netizens had mixed reactions to Balenciaga releasing such a collection. Some responded coldly, saying it disrespects consumers, while others argued it was part of noise marketing. In fact, Balenciaga has often been the subject of controversy with its 'bold' collections. For example, in the 2022 winter collection, it caused a stir by unveiling a trash bag-shaped Trash Pouch. Balenciaga designers are said to often draw inspiration from everyday life, so we look forward to their new attempts next year.

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The UK’s Independent reported that the most eye-catching item in Balenciaga’s 2024 Fall/Winter collection themed around disorder was the 'Tape Bracelet.' Balenciaga’s tape bracelet looks exactly like transparent tape easily found at local hardware or stationery stores. It is known that the product was actually inspired by such tape. The difference is that the inside of the Balenciaga tape bracelet is embossed with the Balenciaga logo. The price of this transparent tape bracelet reaches 3,000 euros (about 4.32 million won). At the Paris Fashion Week, models appeared with tape wrapped around their tops, and some wore transparent tape around their wrists like bracelets.

[Foodie X-Files] "Do They Not Wash the Strawberries Inside the Cake?" We Asked (Reporter Im Onyu)

Strawberries are indispensable in winter desserts. However, strawberries are sensitive to humidity, quickly becoming mushy and spoiling when exposed to water. They can also develop mold. Yet, strawberries inside desserts always look fresh, which makes many wonder if the strawberries used in cakes are washed. This concern arises because residual pesticides or dust could lead to food poisoning. Such worries sparked interest in an article investigating the strawberry washing practices of franchise stores. The article published in February received over 780 comments.

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Everyone has probably tasted 'decoration strawberries' at least once. As the strawberry season, Korea’s most popular fruit, arrives, cafes and bakeries compete to release seasonal menus. If you have ever heard rumors that 'cafes or bakeries don’t wash their strawberries,' haven’t you felt uneasy every time you ate them?

To uncover the truth behind this rumor, we directly asked seven popular cafe and bakery franchises (Starbucks, Twosome Place, Ediya Coffee, Compose Coffee, Hollys, Paris Baguette, Tous Les Jours).

The franchise with the strictest manual was Twosome Place. To maintain freshness, Twosome Place reportedly washes strawberries immediately after order using the following method: ① Thoroughly rinse under running water to remove foreign substances. ② Dilute a fruit washing agent to a specified concentration (100 ppm) to prepare a disinfectant solution. ③ Dip a test paper into the disinfectant for 1?2 seconds to check concentration. ④ Soak for 5 minutes in the disinfectant. ⑤ Rinse more than three times under running water.

Spam Transformed from Cheap American Food to Korea’s No.1 Lunar New Year Gift (Reporter Moon Hyewon)

The representative holiday gift is, of course, Spam. Spam consistently ranks high in holiday gift set sales. As of the end of last year, cumulative sales of Spam reached 2.05 billion cans, meaning each Korean consumed about 40 cans on average. In fact, Spam was once considered 'junk food' in the U.S. However, since the 1990s, it has been upgraded in Korea and transformed into a 'gift item.' An article about the history of Spam, reflecting Koreans’ love for it, also attracted much attention in January.

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The Spam boom in Korea began after the 1990s foreign exchange crisis. During the economic downturn, Korean consumers started exchanging Spam as holiday gifts instead of expensive Korean beef, ginseng, or premium whiskey, as it maintained a luxurious image while being affordable and cost-effective. Its salty flavor meant no additional seasoning was needed, and its long shelf life made it easy to store, contributing to its popularity.

According to CJ CheilJedang, 500 tons of Spam were sold in its launch year, 1987, amounting to 7 billion won in sales. Sales surged after 2002 when the slogan 'A slice of Spam on warm rice' was used, successfully creating an image of Spam as a convenient side dish. From the late 2000s, cultural marketing, outdoor marketing, and star marketing were employed to promote the product. Various means were used to publicize the product at different places, times, and through various media.

Spam’s sales revenue increased more than sevenfold from 7 billion won in 1987 to 52 billion won in 1997, reaching 330 billion won in 2017, 419 billion won in 2018, 420 billion won in 2019, 450 billion won in 2020, and 490 billion won in 2021. Since 2017, its market share has exceeded 50%, securing a dominant first place.

"More Exciting Than Meeting a Celebrity"... Lee Jae-yong Visits Southeast Asia’s Largest Store (Reporter Bang Je-il)

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s trip to Malaysia in late February became a hot topic after eyewitness accounts spread. He was spotted at the Samsung Premium Experience Store located on the first floor of the Four Seasons Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, where he observed local consumer reactions to strategic IT products such as the Galaxy S24. Malaysia is Samsung’s top smartphone shipment country and a strategically important market in Southeast Asia. Chairman Lee often visits overseas business sites even during holiday seasons, and his Malaysia trip was notably captured by a local Korean resident, attracting much attention.

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Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong is examining IT products at the 'Samsung Premium Experience Store' in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, on February 10. Photo by Instagram

A, who identified themselves as a local Korean resident, posted several photos of Chairman Lee Jae-yong along with an eyewitness account on their social media on Lunar New Year’s Day, the 10th.

A said they were out with family and happened to follow Chairman Lee as he moved toward the store. "I was lucky to meet him, and it was more exciting and pleasant than meeting any celebrity. My heart was pounding," they said. "Chairman Lee asked if I lived here and had a brief conversation with me," they added.

The photos shared by A show Chairman Lee wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a jacket draped over his shoulder, listening to explanations from local store staff. The store displayed Samsung’s AI smartphone 'Galaxy S24 series,' unveiled last month, and the tablet PC 'Galaxy Tab S9,' released in July last year. Chairman Lee appeared to willingly comply with A’s photo requests. A photo was also attached showing Chairman Lee posing with A’s group in front of a 'Galaxy S24 Ultra' screen advertisement inside the store.

"I Was Mocked for Dressing Up at Work... Now I Go to Work Looking Shabby" [Beijing Diary] (Reporter Kim Hyunjung)

Have you ever thought it’s a waste to buy clothes to wear to work? Spending money on attire that conforms to workplace formality, regardless of your taste, can feel unfair and stressful every morning. Recently, however, more Chinese office workers have been voicing dissatisfaction with such norms. The phrase 'Xiangban e xin chuan da,' literally meaning 'disgusting' or 'repulsive' work attire, has become a popular meme online. It refers to going to work looking shabby. Korean readers found the image of young Chinese office workers challenging the established rules among older generations quite interesting.

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Photo by Weibo

# 'Xiangban e xin chuan da'

This keyword suddenly emerged on Chinese social media recently. Literally translated, it means 'disgusting' or 'repulsive' work attire, but more loosely it can be interpreted as 'shabby' work clothes. Like in Korea, memes that resonate quickly spread and evolve on Chinese SNS. The outfits featured in photos and videos that swept social media all look shabby, tacky, and dirty.

This strange phenomenon is noteworthy as it reflects the diverse social grievances and changing consciousness of Chinese youth. The keyword is estimated to have first appeared in September 2023 when a blogger posted photos of themselves wearing multiple layers of velvet clothes at a cafe with no heating in winter. The blogger shared that they were scolded by their boss for this attire, which resonated online. It is presumed to express protest against poor working conditions and critical supervisors.

One netizen commented, "It may seem like a humorous trend at first glance, but it actually reflects complex contradictions and problems in workplace culture," adding, "It exposes formalism, high pressure, and unsatisfactory working environments." Another netizen said, "It is a deep reflection on workplace culture," emphasizing, "We should pay more attention to the actual situations and needs of members rather than superficial images and norms." They continued, "Future workplace culture should be more humane and inclusive."

[Report] "Sold Out Within an Hour of Opening"... E-Mart Releases Unprecedented Quantity, Whiskey 'Sold-Out Frenzy' (Reporters Jo Seongpil & Lee Myunghwan)

Whiskey continues to gain popularity among the 20s and 30s generation. Traditionally, whiskey was considered an expensive drink favored by middle-aged and older adults. However, with the rise of solo drinking culture during COVID-19 and a preference for 'a rare glass,' more young people have started seeking whiskey. Even with a one-bottle-per-person limit at large supermarkets, crowds flocked, causing shortages. An article from January about the whiskey sold-out frenzy also attracted attention.

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On the morning of the 6th, a sold-out notice for popular discounted whiskey products Macallan and Suntory Kakubin was posted in the liquor corner of an Emart store in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Seongpil Jo @gatozz

"Yes, ma’am. Everything is sold out now except Jim Beam."

On the morning of the 6th at an E-Mart store in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, a woman in her 30s asked a staff member in the liquor section about Macallan stock. The staff replied as above. The woman, disappointed, asked, "When will it be restocked?" but the staff answered, "No promise," and she reluctantly left. The woman, a local resident, said, "Macallan is usually hard to find in stores, so I came to buy it, but it’s sold out, which is a bit frustrating."

The main customers for this event were the 20s and 30s generation. Whiskey was once considered a drink for middle-aged and older adults, but with the establishment of solo drinking culture during COVID-19 and a growing preference among young adults for 'a rare glass,' the trend reversed. The recent popularity of highballs?a cocktail mixed with tonic water or soda?among the 20s and 30s also contributed to whiskey’s popularization.

The voices of consumers met by the reporting team at the store clearly reflected this trend. Office worker Joo Mo (33) said, "I came to buy my favorite highball whiskey, Suntory Kakubin. It’s over 10,000 won cheaper here than elsewhere, so I’m stocking up to drink later." Hong Ji-won (27) also said, "I usually enjoy whiskey, and the discount on Singleton 15 years was big, so I came to buy it. I want to stock it and drink it when I want."

E-Mart plans to expand supply of popular whiskeys to meet this demand. An E-Mart official said, "It’s true that supply has been insufficient compared to high demand for whiskey. We will continuously secure stock of popular products so more customers can purchase them at affordable prices."

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