"3,000 Won for One, The Owner Could Buy a Building"... Overcharging Controversy Hits 'Busan'

"3,000 won for one fish cake, you could buy a building at this rate"...
Overcharge controversy hits Busan

The price of fish cake at a tourist spot in Busan is known to be 3,000 won each, sparking controversy over it being an "overcharge." YouTube video capture

Recently, major tourist destinations in Korea have been drawing public criticism for excessive "overcharging," and now, controversy has arisen in Busan after a tourist spot was found selling a single fish cake for 3,000 won.

"3,000 won for one fish cake, you could buy a building at this rate"... Overcharge controversy hits Busan

On August 18, a YouTube channel uploaded a video showing a YouTuber visiting a street vendor near Yonggungsa Temple in Busan and being surprised by the price of fish cake. In the video, the YouTuber asked the vendor about the price of fish cake and was told "3,000 won." The YouTuber then asked, "Is that 3,000 won for how many pieces?" and the vendor replied, "3,000 won for one." The YouTuber looked shocked and commented, "That's really expensive."

The YouTuber and their companions wondered, "Did we hear that right?" and said, "Isn't 3,000 won for a single fish cake too much? At this rate, the owner could buy a building," expressing their astonishment. The YouTuber added, "Still, since it's Busan fish cake, I'll try it." After tasting it, the YouTuber commented, "It tastes just like any fish cake you can get anywhere," saying there was nothing special about it.

"It makes me not want to travel domestically"... Netizens express anger

The price of fish cake at a tourist spot in Busan is known to be 3,000 won each, sparking controversy over it being an "overcharge." YouTube video capture

The situation was similar at another street vendor, where a single fish cake also cost 3,000 won. When the YouTuber asked the vendor if the price was too high, the vendor responded, "Listen, this fish cake is different," and suggested trying it first. Addressing viewers, the YouTuber said, "3,000 won for one is just too much. If you come with your family, it's going to be tough. If my daughter, who loves fish cake, eats four, that's 12,000 won," expressing disbelief. The YouTuber also pointed out that even at street vendors in Seoul's expensive Gangnam Station area, fish cake usually costs 1,000 won per piece, highlighting the overcharging in Busan.

Netizens who watched the video responded with criticism, saying, "Maybe Busan needs to lose tourists over overcharging before they wake up," "This makes me not want to travel domestically," "What did they put in it to make it 3,000 won?" "No matter how touristy the area, this is too much," "This is why I don't go to domestic tourist spots," and "It's more expensive than Gangnam." Some netizens even suspected price collusion and filed complaints, but the local government responded, "Food prices are set at the discretion of the business and cannot be regulated."

Continued 'overcharge controversies'... "Concerns over damage to trust in domestic tourism"

Recently, controversies over overcharging and unkind service have been ongoing at major tourist destinations across the country. Previously, Ulleungdo Island was embroiled in controversy over fatty pork belly. A YouTuber revealed that they paid 15,000 won for a single serving (120g) at a barbecue restaurant on Ulleungdo, but more than half of it was fat, which sparked public outrage. In another case, at a popular restaurant in Yeosu, a YouTuber who had ordered two servings was told by the staff, "You need to eat quickly," "If you stay like this, you'll be here forever," and "We need to seat reserved guests," drawing widespread criticism for rushing customers during their meal.

Experts warn that the ongoing controversies over unkind service at tourist spots could damage overall trust in domestic tourism. They point out, "For tourists, a single trip can shape their entire perception of a city," and emphasize that "the attitude of some merchants who focus only on short-term profits threatens the entire local tourism industry." Experts advise that the government and local authorities need to implement structural measures such as strengthening inspections, expanding voluntary reporting systems, and launching consumer protection campaigns.