Tourists Outraged Over Hidden Pension Fees
Calls Grow for Government and Local Crackdowns
During the summer vacation season, tourists visiting pensions expressed their frustration over additional fee policies.
On the 30th, a post appeared on an online community from someone who said they had fallen victim to "additional fee tactics" after visiting a pension in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province over the weekend. The author, referred to as A, had been searching for accommodation for seven people and found a pension priced at 699,000 won. A said, "It was a bit expensive, but the facilities looked nice, so I was excited," but added, "No one could have guessed this was just the beginning of the K-spicy experience."
However, upon arrival, A discovered that the 699,000 won price was for two people only, and an extra 30,000 won per person, totaling 150,000 won, was required. Even though the room had four double beds and one single bed-a total of five beds-the listed price was based on an occupancy of just two people. A was incredulous, asking, "Are the remaining beds just for display?" On top of this, the pension owner insisted that the additional fees be paid in cash, refusing card payments.
There was also an extra charge of 20,000 won per table for using the barbecue electric grill, which again could only be paid in cash. The refrigerator was broken, causing storage issues, and A claimed that about 250,000 won worth of food was spoiled. After paying a total of 889,000 won for the vacation and ending up eating spoiled food, A expressed anger, saying, "For this money, I could have gone to Southeast Asia."
In reality, many pensions set the standard occupancy at two people regardless of the room's area, size, or layout, advertising deceptively low prices. As a result, complaints from tourists about additional fees have been increasing every year. In particular, there have been many cases where card payments are refused and cash is demanded, leading to calls for local governments or national authorities to step in and regulate these practices.
Comedian Suji Lee's YouTube channel "Hot Issue Ji" featured Suji Lee dressed as a pension owner, constantly demanding additional fees from guests, eliciting laughter. YouTube capture
With these "additional fee tactics" by pensions becoming widespread, they have even become material for comedy. On comedian Suji Lee's YouTube channel "Hot Issue Ji," Suji Lee dressed up as a pension owner and constantly demanded extra charges from guests, making viewers laugh. In the skit, Suji Lee, playing the pension owner, offered a watermelon as a "welcome fruit" and charged 35,000 won for half of it. For guests wanting to use the swimming pool, she charged 100,000 won for 15cm of water and 50,000 won for every 5cm, depending on the water level.
She also insisted that swimming caps were mandatory, charging 30,000 won each, and even demanded a photography fee for taking pictures in front of the pool. To top it off, guests had to check out by 9 a.m. and were required to clean and do the dishes themselves. Viewers of this content responded with overwhelming empathy, saying they could "totally relate."
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