Popularity Soars with 'Stress Relief' Marketing
Some Voices Call for Sales Restrictions
Concerns have been raised that 'cursed dolls' sold on numerous domestic online shopping malls may have a negative emotional impact on children. On the 10th, Yonhap News reported that while cursed dolls sold online might help relieve momentary stress, the fact that abusive usage methods are openly promoted could adversely affect children's emotions. These products allow buyers to write the name of the person they want to curse on a 'talisman' and attach it to a straw-made doll, which can then be tormented in various ways. Each doll is available for purchase at around 10,000 KRW.
In particular, online shopping malls provide detailed instructions on how to use curse dolls. One product description advises, "Write the name of the curse target on the talisman, fix it to the doll's 'blood spot' with a nail, and then burn it." Another product lists various methods such as "punching the doll with a fist and stepping on it," "pulling its hands and feet," "bending or twisting its joints," and "burning it or storing it in the freezer." Furthermore, some products promote that the doll does not tear easily no matter how much it is tortured. Online shopping malls
In particular, online shopping malls provide detailed instructions on how to use the cursed dolls. One product description advises, "Write the name of the curse target on the talisman, fix it with a nail on the doll's 'blood spot,' and then burn it." Another product lists several frequent methods such as "punching the doll with a fist and stomping on it," "pulling its hands and feet," "twisting or bending its joints," and "burning it or storing it in the freezer." Furthermore, some products promote that the doll does not easily tear no matter how much it is tormented.
Sellers emphasize 'stress relief' as the key selling point of cursed dolls. Previously, in 2018, researchers at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada experimentally proved that venting anger on cursed dolls actually lowers stress levels compared to not doing so, earning them the 2018 Ig Nobel Prize (a parody of the Nobel Prize).
Many buyer reviews express feelings of relief from anger. One commenter wrote, "I couldn't get anything done because of some crazy person, but after meeting this doll, I felt completely relieved." Another buyer said, "I hope the other person suffers more as much as they hurt me." There was even a review stating, "I cursed for my coworker to disappear before my eyes, and they actually broke their leg and quit the company." When these reviews became known in some communities, some netizens frowned upon the usage methods of the 'cursed doll.' One netizen commented, "Selling cursed dolls is the seller's freedom, but writing such detailed usage instructions seems inappropriate."
Many buyers have responded that their anger was relieved. One commenter wrote in a review, "Nothing was going right because of some crazy person, but after meeting this doll, I felt completely refreshed." Another buyer said, "I hope the other person hurts even more than I did." There was even a review saying, "I cursed for my coworker to disappear right before my eyes, and they actually broke their leg and quit the company." Online community
While cursed dolls may help relieve momentary stress, the open promotion of abusive usage methods raises concerns. Especially, there is growing worry about the harmful effects these dolls could have on children and adolescents, as they may learn violent behaviors. Experts emphasize the need to educate healthy ways to manage anger toward specific targets and to consider measures to regulate the indiscriminate sale of violent products like cursed dolls.
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