From 500-Won "Gukjini Bread" to 8,500-Won "Bagels": Prices Rise with Every Trend Shift [The Secret of Bread Prices]

Bread Trends Change with the Times... Prices Soar as Well
Even as Bread Gets Expensive, "Open Run" Culture Grows... Shifting Bread Consumption Patterns

Editor's NoteAccording to the consumer price trends released by Statistics Korea, the price of processed foods rose by 4.1% year-on-year in May, while the price of bread surged by 6.4%. The bread consumer price index reached 138.48, which means it increased by 38.48% over five years compared to the base year of 2020 (100). This rise outpaced that of other popular Korean snacks such as tteokbokki and fried chicken. Bread, once a snack enjoyed by everyone, has now become a luxury that is difficult to choose due to its high price. How did the price of bread in Korea continue to rise so sharply?

From Gukjini Bread, which cost 500 won in 1999, to bagels that sell out even at a price of 8,500 won in 2025, the types of bread that become popular have changed with consumer preferences over the years, and bread prices have continued to rise. Consumers have shown enthusiasm for new types of bread, and for those that sparked a craze, the younger generation led a new consumer culture of "open run," lining up before stores opened to purchase them despite the high prices.

Display case at London Bagel Museum

In the early 2000s, the most popular bread was the mass-produced "Gukjini Bread" by Samlip Foods (now SPC Samlip). Launched in 1999, this product included a sticker (Tibucil) featuring comedian Kim Gukjin as a character, making it especially popular among children. The launch price was 500 won, and it enjoyed explosive popularity, selling 600,000 to 700,000 units per day. It is also known as the bread that revived Samlip Foods, which was struggling due to the IMF financial crisis. Following the success of Gukjini Bread, other mass-produced breads with Tibucil stickers were released in succession: "Fin.K.L Bread" featuring the girl group Fin.K.L in 2000, "Digimon Bread" in 2001, and "Keroro Bread" in 2006.

In the 2010s, the traditional German pastry "Schneeballen" from Rothenburg gained popularity. Schneeballen is a round dough dessert that is deep-fried and then cracked with a wooden mallet. First introduced at the Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam branch in August 2012, Schneeballen became popular for the "fun of cracking it," achieving daily sales of 10 million won. Given the price of 3,500 won per piece, nearly 3,000 units were sold per day. Nicknamed the "Gangnam snack" at the time, Schneeballen led to the opening of about 60 stores in major cities nationwide within a year, with cumulative sales exceeding 20 billion won.

In 2016, "Taiwanese Giant Castella" swept across the country. This dessert gained attention for its softer and moister texture compared to regular castella, and its large size made it ideal for sharing, all at a price point of 6,000 to 7,000 won, earning it a reputation as a "cost-effective dessert." At the time, Taiwanese castella franchises could be easily found everywhere, from major commercial districts like Itaewon Gyeongridan-gil and Hongdae to department stores and markets nationwide. However, after a TV expos? labeled it as "castella soaked in cooking oil," its image plummeted. In addition, the outbreak of avian influenza (AI) caused egg prices to skyrocket, leading stores to close one after another.

In the 2020s, "bagels" have become the leading trend in the bakery industry. Since the opening of London Bagel Museum in Anguk-dong, Seoul, in September 2021, the bagel craze has continued through 2025, especially among younger consumers. Known for its exotic interior and unique bagels, this spot has become a mecca for "open run" enthusiasts, with long lines forming at each new location in Jamsil, Suwon, Jeju, and more. The base price of a bagel starts at 3,800 won, but depending on toppings and style, prices can reach up to 8,500 won. Sandwiches sold alongside bagels range from 7,500 to 14,800 won. Franchise bakeries and convenience stores are also joining the bagel trend, launching related products to keep up with the ongoing craze.