Dog Hanbok Pricier Than People’s...Another Wave of Refunds After the Holidays?

From Hanbok to Premium Treats
Sometimes Pricier Than Gifts for People

Dog hanbok (photo for illustrative purposes and not directly related to the article). Naver Shopping

As retailers rolled out hanbok exclusively for companion dogs for this Lunar New Year, concerns are emerging that excessively high prices could lead to a flood of refund listings after the holidays. In fact, during last Chuseok, children's hanbok ranked among the top items on the return marketplace of one online shopping mall.

According to the industry on the 17th, due to the economic downturn, gift sets for people are mostly cost-effective products in the 30,000 to 50,000 won range, whereas products for companion animals have risen as the mainstream "premium" segment. An analysis of Lunar New Year gift sales at department stores and large discount chains showed that sales of pet-related products surged by 40% compared to the same period a year earlier.

The prices are no less expensive than premium Korean beef or dried yellow croaker sets. As these are pet luxury products, dog hanbok items priced at over 200,000 won are everywhere, and snacks that used to be limited to dog chews or jerky have evolved to the level of "health-boosting meals." Products such as "dog abalone samgyetang," "duck tenderloin steak," and even "Mungpuccino (cappuccino for dogs)" and "Mung wine" made with human-grade ingredients that are safe for people to eat have appeared.

Public opinion on this is divided. Some argue that companion dogs are not just animals but family members and therefore no different from people, while others say that they are, in the end, still animals and that excessive spending should be avoided.

A representative from a pet products company explained, "Ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays, we can hardly keep up with demand for dog padded jackets and hanbok priced well over 100,000 won," adding, "As the number of DINK households without children and single-person households increases, customers who have no hesitation in opening their wallets for their pets have emerged as big spenders."