'Seudeume Package' Was 2.8 Million Won... An Additional 900,000 Won Charged [Hutdari Economy]

(44)Opaque Sdeume Package Prices... Additional Charges 'Unknown'
Package Items and Prices Must Be Presented Transparently

Editor's NoteMany people thought it was a smart economic activity that could yield better results, but it often turned out to be a misstep. When consumers are deceived by corporate marketing or blinded by momentary gains and make wrong decisions, they end up being the ones who suffer. We aim to examine economic activities where people have made mistakes by misjudging everyday situations.

From renting attire needed for weddings (wedding dresses, tuxedos), makeup, hair, and wedding hall reservations to purchasing wedding gifts, consumer complaints about wedding preparation agency services (wedding consulting) that handle overall wedding preparations are growing louder.

Ji-yeon Lee (35), who was preparing for her wedding, signed a contract with wedding consulting company A for a "Sdeume" package (an abbreviation for studio, dress, and makeup) priced at 2.8 million KRW. Additional costs such as main ceremony photography, assistant fees, tuxedo fitting fees, and studio original photo purchases were not included. Lee said, "The additional costs beyond the expected amount reached 900,000 KRW," adding, "I am worried because I don't know where else extra charges might be added."

We conducted a direct consultation. Jang, who introduced himself as a team leader at a wedding consulting firm in Nonhyeon-dong, explained, "We plan according to the budget the prospective couple wants," and said that packages generally range from cost-effective packages of 2.5 to 3.5 million KRW to premium packages costing 7 to 10 million KRW. He emphasized that assistant fees (wedding photography, main ceremony) of 500,000 KRW, studio original photo fees of 440,000 KRW, and dress shop tours (50,000 KRW each) are essential additional costs incurred at any wedding consulting company. When asked if there were any other additional costs, he said, "Depending on the dress price, an extra 800,000 to 1.2 million KRW may be added, but if you don't want it, you can tell the company in advance," adding, "Additional charges may also apply if you select more photos from the studio or upgrade the frames."

What if the studio, dress, and makeup are arranged as individual items rather than a package? One studio introduced that for main ceremony photography, including photo retouching, original photos, and album, the cost is 750,000 KRW. Makeup and dress rental were available from a minimum of 800,000 to 1 million KRW. Although prices vary by company, bride makeup was 350,000 KRW, and including costs for both sets of parents (400,000 KRW), the total was less than 800,000 KRW. Dress rental prices varied widely, from 50,000 KRW to several million KRW. A representative from a dress rental company said, "If you proceed with the Sdeume package through a wedding preparation agency, commissions and other fees are added, so it inevitably becomes more expensive."

Due to opaque pricing information, prospective couples do not fully understand the items included in the amounts proposed by wedding consulting companies. They are forced to pay additional fees under various pretexts. Since additional costs proposed by individual companies are added on top of the initial package price presented by the wedding consulting service, consumers cannot estimate the final amount.

Consumer complaints about contract cancellations and penalties related to this issue are also increasing. According to the Consumer Agency, requests for damage relief related to wedding preparation agency services increased from 92 cases in 2021 to 152 in 2022, and 235 last year. As of August this year, there have already been 177 cases. Among 656 complaints about wedding preparation agency services from 2021 to August this year, 441 were related to contract cancellations and penalties, making up the majority. This was followed by 115 cases of withdrawal of subscription and 69 cases of contract non-fulfillment.

Professor Eun-hee Lee of Inha University's Department of Consumer Studies emphasized that wedding consulting companies should present costs and items visible to all customers. Professor Lee said, "It is undesirable to have so many hidden additional costs as it is now," adding, "Prices and items should be presented transparently." She advised, "Regulations should be established so that the initial contract amount does not exceed a certain percentage of the additional costs to purify the market."

Meanwhile, the government announced in March that it plans to prevent excessive additional fee demands related to weddings, such as wedding planners, wedding hall rentals, and Sdeume packages, which vary greatly by company, and to enable reasonable price comparisons. Starting next year, price information for wedding-related items and services is expected to be disclosed on the Korea Consumer Agency's price information website. A 'price display system' mandating price display targets, items, and methods that wedding service providers must comply with will also be introduced by the end of this year. Additionally, standard terms and conditions will be developed for wedding consulting, where contract-related damages such as unfavorable exemption clauses and excessive penalties frequently occur, expanding from the current wedding brokerage and wedding hall sectors.