Obtaining Pregnancy Badges Through Secondhand Trade for Benefits
Sungsimdang Eventually Requires Carrying Pregnancy Booklet
"Planning to Commit Fraud First"...Netizens Flood with Criticism
Famous bakery in Daejeon, 'Seongsimdang,' is offering discount benefits for pregnant women, but some people pretending to be pregnant by wearing badges are purchasing products at discounted prices, causing public disapproval.
On the 7th, a post titled "People Abusing Seongsimdang's Pregnant Women Discount Benefits" was uploaded on several online communities. Netizen A, who wrote the report, said, "My wife went to Seongsimdang today, and an employee told her that 'since the policy of 5% discount and line free pass for wearing the pregnant women badge became known, the number of fraudsters who just get the badge and come has increased.' From this week, they said that a pregnant women’s handbook must also be brought to receive the discount benefit," he conveyed.
Sungsimdang's fried soboro bread (left) and a badge for pregnant women [Image source=Sungsimdang Instagram, online community collection]
He pointed out, "If anyone is planning to go to Seongsimdang, please take note," adding, "Those who think of abusing goodwill first are the ones who come out." It is reported that this is not the first case of abusing Seongsimdang’s event. On mom cafes and other platforms, a post was uploaded by a pregnant woman sharing her experience at Seongsimdang, urging, "You must bring your pregnant women’s handbook." She said, "(I was) very close to my due date, so they just let me in, but the rule seems to be that you have to show the handbook as well."
The pregnant women badge is a bag hook-type badge engraved with the phrase "Pregnant Women First," allowing pregnant women to receive seat priority when using public transportation such as subways and buses. The badge does not include detailed information such as the pregnancy period.
Seongsimdang originally provided discount benefits and a waiting line free pass service to customers wearing the pregnant women badge, but as cases of ordinary people abusing the event by only wearing the badge increased, it seems they eventually required the handbook as additional proof. There were even posts trading pregnant women badges on secondhand trading platforms. On the other hand, the pregnant women’s handbook is filled out directly by hospitals with pregnancy dates, weeks, and health information, making it a more accurate form of verification than the badge.
As this case became known, criticism surged among netizens. Sharp reactions included comments such as "They don’t even know shame," "I don’t know how this country became one where people only think about committing fraud," and "Because of those people, only genuine pregnant women suffer."
Meanwhile, Seongsimdang’s pregnant women discount benefit, known as the 'Expectant Mom Discount,' is available not only at the Daejeon main store but also at four branches including Daejeon Station, Lotte Department Store Daejeon, and Daejeon DCC. If you possess both the pregnant women badge and handbook, you can receive a 5% discount on the payment amount at all branches. There is also a 'free pass' service that allows immediate entry without waiting in line at the store.
Some customers reportedly prefer the free pass service more than the discount benefit. Since Seongsimdang is a popular bakery, when hit products are released, waiting lines of over 1 to 2 hours form.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
