East Asia is obsessed with luxury (and gen z pays the price)

🎉 Get started with Notion for free: ntn.so/aini
🗓️ Get Notion Calendar for free: ntn.so/ainicalendar
What is with East Asia's obsession with luxury, and why is flex culture such a big thing?
0:00 Intro
1:26 Cultural influences in East Asia (interdependence & face)
4:26 ty notion!
6:41 Cultural values continued
15:00 "A need, not a want": Gen Z and Millennial attitudes to luxury
23:02 Society in encouraging and dissuading luxury obsession
26:46 Conclusion
---- xxx -----
Editor: Presage (He also has his own philosophy channel! Go hype him uppppp @presage)
Come say hi at:
- patreon: / aini_
- ig: @aini.mov
- x and tiktok: @aini0970
💌 business enquiries only: [e-mail]
my gear!
note: below links are affiliate links that help me out but come at no extra cost to you :)
- camera: sony a6400 amzn.to/3wqidQF
- mic: audio technica atr2100x amzn.to/4b1Y0Q9
- teleprompter: neewer amzn.to/3QAVhVC
- softbox: mountdog amzn.to/3UxNpp7
- tripod: bosch amzn.to/44Icxyc
---- xxx -----
Detailed references
Academic references
Che, M., Hou, Q., Wang, H., Coste-Manière, I. and Le Troquer, F. (2020). Updates in Luxury Purchase Motivation in East Asia: China, Japan & South Korea. 2018 International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research, 2020, pp.134-156. doi:doi.org/10.26803/myres.2020.10.
‌
Degen, R.D (2010). The success of luxury brands in Japan and their uncertain future. [online] Available at: www.researchgate.net/publicat....
Reddy, S.K. and Han, J.K. (2017) The essence of luxury: An Asian perspective. Singapore: Centre for Marketing Excellence, Singapore Management University.
Wong, N.Y. and Ahuvia, A.C. (1998). Personal taste and family face: Luxury consumption in Confucian and western societies. Psychology and Marketing, 15(5), pp.423-441.
Wouters, I. and Sham, K. (2021). The New Faces of Chinese Luxury Shoppers. Oliver Wyman Report. [online] Available at: www.oliverwyman.cn/content/da....
‌
Wu, M.-S.S., Chaney, I., Chen, C.-H.S., Nguyen, B. and Melewar, T.C. (2015). Luxury fashion brands. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 18(3), pp.298-319. doi:doi.org/10.1108/qmr-02-2014-0016.
Other references (once again i am running out of space, sorry for any incomplete formatting):
‌
pluralism.org/to-become-a-sage.
Chitrakorn, K. (2018) Why Puffer Jackets Are at the Centre of Korea’s Class Divide. www.businessoffashion.com/art....
Choon, C.M. (2023). A race to ‘flex’: Why showing off wealth is a virtue in South Korea. Available at: newsinfo.inquirer.net/1746571....
doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/....
Pan, Y. (2019). www.scmp.com/magazines/style/....
Seo, J. (2023). Why do Koreans love luxury brands so much?koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/....
socialone.com.cn. (2018). 凯度: Z世代消费力白皮书. [online] Available at: socialone.com.cn/z-gen-consum....
Tan, M.H., Kwan Wei Kevin (2023). www.businessinsider.com/chine....
‌
/ south_koreans_are_the_...
Notion template - although if I could ask for a small favour, if you're considering on trying notion out could you please register through my link :') That would help me out a lot! thank you!!
--- Alexandra's amazinggg notion template: • how i organize my life...
Zero lofi remix - demongummies (orig NewJeans) • newjeans zero but lofi...
BGM:
Spine Breaker - BTS
Onion - Lukrembo • (no copyright music) l...
Thanks for watching and catch ya next time! ☕
Tags:
‌video essay, cultural commentary, social commentary, internet analysis, analysis video, luxury obsession, luxury items, flex culture, success, materialism, east asia, china, korea, japan, cultural deep dive, chinese culture, korean culture, japanese culture, wealth, prestige, face culture, asian success, east asian culture, consumerism, societal pressures, status symbols, quiet luxury, conspicuous consumption, asian luxury market, veblen goods, asian expectations, gucci, louis vuitton, chanel, prada, hermes, dior, spine breaker, gen z, milennials, singles inferno, song jia, influencer, kpop, brand ambassadors, newjeans, edvasian, salem tovar, not even emily, jordan theresa

[@aini_]

Try Notion today! (magic carpet ride not included): 🎉 Get started with Notion for free: ntn.so/aini 🗓 Get Notion Calendar for free: ntn.so/ainicalendar

[@obinator9065]

Gen Z always pays the price huh ...

[@jakajancar1767]

That was the smoothest sponsorship transition I have seen on yt 👏🏻

[@akirathedog777]

I am from the west and I can confirm we only do what we like, we never ever think about what others may think 😂😂 Stop it with the other-ization

[@GL-iv4rw]

@@akirathedog777 This video, like all of her other ones, is nothing but woke Asian feminist BS

[@GL-iv4rw]

@@akirathedog777 This video, like all her other ones, is nothing but Asian feminist BS

[@MartinCantu1991]

Never understood the concept of being a free walking billboard just to show off money you dont have to impress people who don't care about you.

[@btarczy5067]

The trick is to instill caring about people who don’t have these items. Stigmatization of perceived poverty is one of the most useless yet „productive“ cultural memes.

[@andreeroscavelly6819]

sadly in korea most of the times it's just a way for kids and young people in general to fit in. You get bullied over there for being different- and I mean the POOR kind of different.

[@Nikthehermit]

It’s probably a good idea when in a hypergamous position. I.e. being someone who earns slightly less than the wealthy around you and keeping up to ultimately gain that position. But, that’s the case more so for the influencers wearing the brands than it is for the people in which they’re influencing.

[@treesspeaklatin8950]

No srsly I don’t understand why they wanna feed big companies this much lol The most ‘luxury’ item I’ve ever wanted was copic markers😂

[@watchonjar]

It's because in east Asia "face" or social reputation is so much more important because it's a much more collectivist society.

[@jadebe80]

At Dior in Seoul. I was denied entry bc it was “fully booked”. Ok, no worries. I came back another day wearing my Lady Dior and they opened the doors without a word. It was empty inside. NO ONE WAS INSIDE.

[@KawaiiStars]

chanel do that too 😭, some luxury shops are real particular about their image so if you don't look like the embodiment of their brand, they'll get rid of you 😣

[@MrSuperjam789]

"Sir, I can see the store is empty, it's not booked right now!" "Are you sure this is the right store for you?"😂

[@enesjei]

That's how luxury brand is tho...unncessarily pretentious

[@lunix3259]

So theyre discriminative...

[@sparklysoysauce3535]

They do that to hurt your ego and make sure you spend a lot of money to prove yourself , Luxury brands always play their customers 🙃

[@georgiana1147]

Im so glad you mentioned Jia, it always seemed so weird to me that she was caught wearing fake designer, like who the hell actually pays that much attention to some clothes.

[@Liimario]

And the fact that they even attack her for it is ridiculous, like who cares if it looks good

[@georgiana1147]

@@Liimario only unemployed freaks would be that obsessed with someone imo💀

[@adriana_daria]

Right! I was confused why they hated on her to the point she felt like she had to apologise and dissappear from Internet for such a silly thing. Now I know, it's so ridiculous to me especially that in my country people brags when they manage to buy something way cheaper on a sale 😂😅

[@kurtcometa4818]

Koreans ☕

[@SnowSNS11]

​@@adriana_dariaI think I watch another KZbinr said something about it being her image. Idk much about her but apparently the image she represents is that of a rich girl, people like her because she's supposedly born with a gold spoon? And being proven wrong destroyed her image. I suppose if being a rich girl is how she is marketed, her fans would feel disappointed...

[@Hellomelody27]

"you obsess over your identity in relation to others while your soul rots inside of you". Don't know who said it but i find it to be very fitting.

[@998bb]

I deeply feel it but u have given this a sentence ❤

[@devilinred3319]

This is such a sad way to live.

[@thebeastwithin6978]

Probably Oscar Wilde

[@genderlessdoll]

​@@thebeastwithin6978it's from a tumblr post, not oscar wilde

[@SearleKlatte]

I am assured of the quality of *preluxs*

[@RedFlyingFox007]

It's so interesting, because in the UK, luxury bag influencers will talk about how they don't carry certain bags on public transport or bring certain bags to work because they don't want to attract evil-eye or to be assumed that they are wealthy than they really are by their bosses and colleges.

[@changveronicas]

ive definitely heard this train of thought! ie don’t carry a nicer bag or drive a more expensive car than your boss bc it’s seen as obnoxious, or even bad for your career bc they’ll think you don’t need that raise or promotion since you’re already rich

[@allamasadi7970]

​@@changveronicaswhenever I go to my local shops, I look out for loose change on the floor even though I have paid off my mortgage

[@VBoo459]

This is exactly me. I had to force myself to wear my Chanel bag out (I mean, for it’s price it should be work 24/7) but I always flip the bag around because I don’t actually like people noticing the bag. (I like it for myself). I’d never wear it to work, I like fat pity bonuses 😂

[@bunnyboo6295]

Yeah, I wouldn't dress nice bring anything nice in places that would make you a target. I worked in a store in a bad area i would only wear bring cheap ratty things with me. Or that one bum dirty friend you would never wear anything nice you would not want ruined by being near filth

[@bunnyboo6295]

@@changveronicas LOL what if the boss driving an old falling apart vehicle

[@kagekun1198]

I have read so many Chinese web-novels which are nothing but pure power fantasies for the reader. If I had a dime for every time the main character got snobbed at a luxury clothing store and he took his revenge by buying out the entire stock with his bank card and getting the assistant fired in revenge, I'd be able to buy a Louis Vutton bag myself!

[@deanchur]

Sounds like the authors watched Pretty Woman

[@secondfoundation4137]

I mean that's a great strategy by the luxury brand store. Want to clear out inventory? Mistreat a self conscious customer and they will buy your whole stock!

[@bunnyboo6295]

@@secondfoundation4137 I though the potential customers walk next door to the competitor to buy out the stock pass on back with the bags as a flex making sure the manger see's what the employee turned down. In pretty women she shows up wearing items for other stores like hey remember me big mistake

[@JadestonePony]

@@secondfoundation4137 I heard that apparently many luxury brands do use a strategy similar to this. If the seller is a very attractive woman who is slightly condescending or snobby to the customer, they're more likely to make a sale, since they can make the customer feel a need to flex their financial superiority to one-up them. Of course, they still can't overdo the snobbiness lol.

[@_uwu_9992]

Lmao it's so common! Even in any fantasy themes! As long as it's an high end store or shop, this bounds to happen either to the main character or their sidekick. Not only Chinese web-novels/manhuas too, also pretty common in Korean stories. Surprisingly hadn't seen one in Japanese or maybe I hadn't seen one yet

[@gee5598]

I was born and raised in Canada and my parents are Chinese immigrants. Growing up, there would always be this weird cultural tension between home and outside of the home. They never spent money on designer brands and luxurious goods but they projected their success on how well my sister and I do in school, jobs, achievements, promotions etc. I remember our family being invited to numerous wedding banquets and it would just be a pissing contest between my mom and aunties about their children's lives.

[@patriceesela5000]

I understand your sentiment, as an African my parents generation (both in their 70s) used to be the same,Academics and professional careers of their children made them compete for bragging rights with other parents of their generation. Millennial parents brag about how much money their children make and how wealthy they are and not how they got there.

[@zeitgeistx5239]

Welcome to being Chinese. Now just imagine if your mother had a rural houko like I did and your father’s side of the family hating you and your mother for being peasants, despite your maternal clan being richer.

[@maxrebo8455]

I had that unprompted from a Chinese Australian lady on flight back from Guangzhou to Melbourne last week. I politely nodded and after a while put my headphones on.

[@nurakulamy5816]

​@@maxrebo8455 😂 Well done!

[@Xsksnssjccxghb]

Thankfully my parents just kinda “gave up” on me but I totally see how my Asian mates are affected by their parents. Im a loser in their eyes but they almost sound as if they envy me(I’m a freelance illustrator with no “job” who spends most of my time growing vegetables 💁🏻‍♀️

[@internationalsunshine]

A rich taitai once told me if you're an office employee with a meager salary that barely pays for rents, there is no point in carrying a luxury bag. Because the people around you will just think that it's fake even if it is a real LV bag. But if you come from a wealthy background and you're are of high status, even if the bag you carry a fake bag, the people around you will assume that it's real. She never buys the real thing. All her bags are just good counterfeits at the fraction of the cost of a real hermes bag and no one around her even doubts her. So i guess it's really not the brand that lift your status but your status that lift up the brand.

[@jefri4176]

Totally agree. Not only status,just how you look sometimes exude whether you are really rich or just trying to look rich.

[@leonaparic2089]

she told you well, smart woman

[@tankhuncarps]

I always say its not WHAT you wear, its HOW you wear them. If you look neat, clean, well presented and carry yourself with confidence anything you wear would look expensive.

[@Bhnbhn]

It’s the status that people struggle to achieve, and they think they can circumvent that by just having the measly items. It’s like wanting to be a doctor but getting a fake degree.

[@aliyx944]

@@jefri4176incredibly real. i’m not super wealthy by any means but i always dress nice and buy more expensive brands for cheaper secondhand. i have a fake prada bag and everyone fully believes it’s real lmao. it’s really just about how you present yourself to the public eye, and then you can get away with anything

[@ssylveon]

this finally explains why almost every chinese exchange student on my campus had canada goose puffers... i really thought they were all filthy rich 😳

[@monk4ever]

😮😮

[@gethina-come7885]

some probably are, but i dont think most of them are.

[@luneosol]

@@gethina-come7885yeah most international students who study abroad are rich

[@gaea17]

if they're exchange students, most likely they are filthy rich

[@VBoo459]

A lot of them aren’t. You have no clue what some parents do to get their child educated abroad. Sometimes dire poverty.

[@Ppppi4]

I’m a Brit living in Korea and a few things I’ve noticed are - there is a demand for foreign/ luxury goods, even non designer things like Tim hortons cost 3 x as much here and there is a demand for them because they are “western”, likewise Koreans brands will make “French” inspired brand name where the actual French words makes no sense, but the locals will assume it is a genuine French brand and buy it. Likewise this is why moncler is more popular then Canada goose - designer products cost around £200+ extra in korea - it’s very common for kids even in kindergarten and daycare to be dressed in designer clothing (brands like moncler, Burberry etc) and I’ve noticed young couples feeling stressed that they can’t provide this for their kids and their kids will be bullied or outcasted. - when something is done by a lot of people it becomes a social norm, one social norm I’ve noticed is a Chanel bag being gifted by men to women as an engagement gift. I’ve literally seen posts online where women feel embaressed because their husband hadn’t bought them a Chanel bag or their bag is not the latest one etc - there is a lot of debt here and whilst your might see someone dressed head to toe in designer on the streets, they will be living in a one room and surviving off ramen

[@merrittpalmer4349]

Yet you will continue to date Korean women because of your Asian fetish

[@strawberrymilk174]

By Tom hortons, do you mean Tim hortons? Just curious

[@Ppppi4]

@@strawberrymilk174 yes sorry for the typos ! It was hard to write so much 😭

[@strawberrymilk174]

​@@Ppppi4It's okay! I'm just confused as a Canadian because Starbucks is lot more popular and expensive than Tim Hortons. Isn't Starbucks more popular over there too?

[@Ppppi4]

@@strawberrymilk174 it’s because it’s western, even tho Starbucks is well established here and there’s many affordable korean chain because tims is new and seen as “special” people here are willing to pay premium prices. I tried to go twice and it was completely packed both times, with a huge wait 😭

[@jasmineliu9922]

I'm Chinese-American and for a while I thought that my family didn't seem to conform to this ideal because of how frugal my parents are and I initially chalked it up to the fact that my parents immigrated over 20 years ago and are likely out of touch with culture past their generation. But I thought about it more and realized that no, they do conform, just not in the same way. My mom's luxury brand is school name. She reveres Ivy League and West Coast Private school names and judges character based on what school they have on their resume. Nevermind if they even graduated, how much they earn, or what job they work. She will speak more highly of someone who went to Stanford than someone who went to UCSD. She is constantly asking about my friends and coworkers alma maters. She does not believe money is a valid reason to not send someone to the best school possible. And I know for a fact that part of the reason why she pushed me so hard in high school to get into a good college was because of how my education would reflect on the family.

[@TuanAnhNguyen-bt1ld]

Yes, that is why living in Asia or with Asian parent is so difficult and stressful.

[@NShomebase]

Oof. The sheer time and financial commitment it would take to get into an elite institution. Yeah I'd rather fork out a couple hundred for a bag or jacket lmao

[@a-terrible-fate532]

The best thing you can do, is do what you want, its your life 👍

[@avej99]

With all due respect your mom sounds terrible to be around

[@user-ru5im2zx7t]

College names shouldn’t be valued that much especially colleges nowadays are so corrupted and broken. Anything that comes from pride isn’t good, either outlook appearance or education.

[@monavis2356]

I live in Monaco. Let me tell you this, most of these chain luxury brands target the poor !! They have 2 lines of fashion, one with big tacky logos for the poor who are self-conscious and like to show off and the other discrete/superb/quality/style/fit for the wealthy. Now the wealthy won't spend their money on these chain "luxury" brands. The bands offer these to the wealthy as gifts or give aways so these products can be seen on people who represent success. Still most of the millionaires I know have their own in-house or boutique designer and rarely wear anything from these commercial brands because they are too common and not tailor made, and mainly because they don't feel the need to be seen or prove themselves, in fat they spend a big chunk of their money to stay discrete and unseen/private !! Really they don't feel the need to purchase them so the only cash-flow for these brands comes from the poor who want to look rich not knowing the wealthy does not even wear any of these brands !! LOOOL Here we say : money screams, wealth whispers !!

[@dhskoakddbj]

Agree. My friend said this too. He is a member of special store and he said usually brand make few target, rich, moderate and poor and say 'The rich use this' so they sell it to public just for the ad of 'rich' One for the rich is for their casual style, season and wearability also quality with a tiny brand logo. And for the poor they make it looks WOW ITS BRAND My friend use the brands cause they sent him what he likes, service cause they gave him tea and cookie as a bribe 😂

[@DrBitchcraft.]

Agreed. Growing up with my rich family and relatives (some that live in monaco), everyone buys quality and don't even look at the brands. They tailor their clothes and buy custom made. I am not wealthy but because of my upbringing, I save up money and pay for tailors for a few quality clothing.

[@philipdavis7521]

I remember years ago on my first visit to Japan I had a date - in general small talk I asked her what she did - she said worked in marketing for LV. Not quite knowing what to say, I mumbled something about 'oh, sounds like a high pressure job'. She looked at me as if I was an idiot. 'You must be joking', she said. 'Selling Louis Vuitton to Japanese girls is the easiest job in the world. They'll buy anything with that LV logo on it'.

[@GH-fb9dh]

And I find Japanese girls way more chill than Korean and Chinese

[@muhammadhaikalpermanaatmaj73]

@@GH-fb9dh yeah interesting enough, from what i've observed, this kind of luxury materialism is not that extreme in japan compared to korea or china. Idk, maybe bcs their economy already reached the peak during 40-50 years ago on 1970-1980 so the luxury bandwagoon already happened, while in korea or china they just had economy boom in the last 15-20 years

[@lotusinn3]

@@muhammadhaikalpermanaatmaj73I think that observation is probably correct.

[@davidk.d.7591]

It's because of the asset crash in the 90's Japan was the wealthiest country and it's people spent more than anyone else on luxury stuff. After the asset crash, Japanese greatly reduced their spending. ​@@muhammadhaikalpermanaatmaj73

[@ALLKASDLLS-mg4lu]

I live in Japan and I feel that Japanese people are not that obsessed with high brands. Chinese and Koreans who come to Japan as tourists are all wearing high brands, though.

[@dr.wahnsinn9913]

As a german this video was like a horrortrip. Frugality and humbleness are some of the highest values someone can uphold here and the German word for debt literally translates as guilt. The pure idea of being forced to take huge amounts of debt to buy luxury items is horrifying. The main thing that you can achieve here by buying luxury items is to look like someone who tries to look rich. Normally you will get a lot of despise from all sides for that behavior.

[@MasteringJohn]

I'd be snootier about it myself, but for the fact that my country breached $30 trillion in national debt about two years ago.

[@elja7659]

Same in Australia, more common to see luxury items in the big cities like Melbourne and Sydney. It’s almost disturbing seeing people wear designer items in more rural/ country areas. A monogram designer print screams “I’m not from here” - but not in a good way

[@Adrian-ie5hn]

However the fact that seemingly every single teen and youth wears a north face puffer seems to show that trends are pointing certain way too in Germany

[@mk-yt8og]

It depends. I live in Düsseldorf (born and raised), and the stereotypes very much hold true... though it's not nearly as extreme as described in this video

[@cdjxwubcyex]

But Germans seems to be very keen to take out loans, for example to buy cars. 10 or so years ago, I was in Germany and bought a car in Audi dealership, they were very surprised, when I showed up with cash, because, apparently most of the buyers are taking out loan to buy a car. There where even an Audi bank or something like that.

[@moonslave90]

European here: a few months ago I saw a young couple next to their Tesla, and the girl was carrying an obvious LV bag, my very first thought was: "oh clearly she isn't used to money if she buys that bag". I swear if she weren't carrying the visible LV around, that Tesla'd been a bigger flex.

[@diansebastian23]

as a fellow European I agree. I always have been of the mentality that if you can afford cheap luxury like designer brands then you can deffinitely afford true luxury like handmade objects from craftsmen, like tailored suits or bags from a leatherworker made from top-quality materials and suited to your size. Would also command alot more respect from everybody else (not that it matters) because everybody loves a good piece of work🥰

[@DannyDevitoOffical-TrustMeBro]

Kind of unrelated, but the other day I saw someone driving a cyber truck out of the rear entrance to a local subdivision. For some context, I live in a part of Texas where zoning laws are almost non existent (for everything but dangerous industrial infrastructure), so there’s just this cyber truck that looks like a bugged out render in a video game released too early coming out of a subdivision…next to a whole bunch of cows. Cows, family homes, back roads, calm environment…then cyber truck. It, uh, didn’t seem the most intuitive choice of vehicle for residents of a suburban neighborhood bordered by cows, but yk. Tesla people are something else

[@BIDONG8]

Tesla's are cheap. LV bags are a few thousand dollars. Where the Hermes

[@weronikawypler7574]

From Poland here: I once thrifted a Dior vintage bag for around 30$ (120 zł) which is pretty cheap even for a normal bag in Zara or H&M and felt really good having it at home and just appreaciating a vintage piece by one of my fav designers (John Galliano) that I could normally never afford but the real problem came when I went out with the first few times, on the one hand I was scared something will happen to the bag, on the other it felt good to have it and I was proud of my purchase. But ultimately I was kind of embarrassed cause I kept thinking people think it's a fake or that they think it's real and think I got it in some fishy way or that I'm very materialistic and a new-money kind of person trying to be flashy. I still have it and wear it quite often but in certain situations I wear it underneath my coat or try not to show the logo cause it makes me feel embarrassed, also whenever someone compliements or comments on it the first thing I say is that I was very lucky and it was cheap

[@xalciaqx9026]

Hej Polska

[@nicoleta1882]

An example how we let things dictate our self worth, it happens to all of us

[@BenSalernoMedia]

I'm a foreigner living in Taiwan. People treat me like I'm scary; I thought it was because of my sleeve tattoos, big beard and scar on my face, but now I think it's because I only wear Uniqlo.

[@eh-269]

Haha, don’t worry I really only wear Uniqlo too especially when I’m in Taiwan, mainly cuz of that air-ism tech. But I will say there is def times where we will dress normally jsut in everyday clothes. But it comes down to when we meet with other people for a meal or what else , my mom and sister for example will dress definitely better when meeting with friends than when we just casually shopping. Although I will say what prolly made a difference is that we live in a more wealthy district so it is more of the norm to just wear sleepwear outside to go shopping and what not cuz there is less of a need to prove yourself.

[@adelaideeverett9134]

LMAO

[@blueisntreal1055]

I've recently been in Taiwan and even though I don't wear any big brands, was treated super well, especially in Kaohsiung everyone was extremely friendly. Now I'm in South Korea, though, and I've really started noticing the unhealthy hype...

[@annin4002]

Uniqlo rocks!

[@Aky_7]

Bruh and Uniqlo is not cheap at all here.

[@ArsonTheShroom]

It's strange because in a way, this is self-sabotage: taking away what you need to get what you want, yet it makes people feel like it has a high value.

[@deep_cuts2019]

Sounds like any other addictive behavior really. Continuing to engage in it despite how it hurts you, because it makes you feel good

[@ArsonTheShroom]

@@deep_cuts2019 that's a really good point

[@deep_cuts2019]

@@ArsonTheShroom hey thanks ;)

[@ville__]

Today is my birthday and I got no subscribers :((

[@MiscFightVids]

It's incredibly childish.

[@Kai-tm9dy]

I'm 17 years old and I'm from Singapore. I personally never wanted to own a luxury bag because I dislike most of the designs and shape of the bags. I would say that I'm pretty lucky to have grown up in Singapore where such competition is not prevalent. My family earns a median income and I cannot fathom spending a large percentage of my family's income on something as insignificant as a purse. I have occasionally wanted to save up for some luxury shoes but I have since educated myself and have been able to see the ridiculousness of my material wants. I don't love where society is headed to be honest. I did however love this video by the way, I never knew how bad this problem was in east Asia, thank you for this eye opening video. This is what social media should be for. Will be checking out more of your videos.

[@justafriend1000]

Yes, Singapore while in East Asia and rich does not have such brand conscious prevalence. Many of us are just happy w our Uniqlo 😊

[@orizadhiazwanti9344]

i have to agree too, i'm indonesian and in general i dont like the design of some luxury bag or item, most of it is kinda look old and too formal, i buy thing for the purpose of use rather than design

[@BoudrieTrantham]

I know wealthy women who carry replicas. The main reason they gave is that they just understand the value of money and don't want to spend too much money on bags... so more people choose fashionable*preluxscom* bags. However, they do spend a lot of money on fine jewelry and other things.

[@Andy-ne5qi]

I'm so glad I watched this video because it provides such a big insight. I've been consuming east Asian media since I was in high school but lately it's increased a lot, especially korean media, like webtoons, kpop content, and kdramas. I noticed that it's started affecting me psychologically how I see wealth, job positions, family structure, and luxury goods. Like putting on a pair of status-tinted-glasses. Luxury goods go against most of my values yet I can still feel the deep desire to have them solely based off of this bubble that I've surrounded myself in. It stresses me out so I can't even imagine how hard it must be for people actually in that society.

[@user-ng2vh6ef7e]

"When my cousin buys land, I get a stomach ache" cracked me up as a fellow Asian I feel ya bro.

[@eemoogee160]

배가 아프긴 하죠~ ㅎ

[@Benjamin1986980]

It's a bit more extreme than "Keeping Up with the Joneses", but conveys the same sentiment.

[@ville__]

Today is my birthday and I got no subscribers :((

[@user-mq7kc5gx7s]

😭😭

[@kenim]

@@Benjamin1986980yeah it is way darker also. An asian would be perfectly fine being both equally miserable.

[@anarecinos1590]

I appreciate you mentioning the issue with New Jeans being ambassadors of luxury brands. A LOT of kpop fans/fans of the group tend to sweep the issue under the rug. I have noted this issue with young asian teens being pressured to buy luxury brands. It is so pervasive, and it is damaging to them in the long run (in my opinion).

[@aasha8759]

i would say as well, as a kpop fan, the brand ambassadorships are more frequently not about the image, style or impression the idol and brand gives off before its arranged. To compare to new jeans, each member of blackpink has a very carefully curated style and image, that matched their voice and stage presence, and the brands they individually became ambassadors of. Jisoo has fits in very well with dior, with a very classy, soft, and innately elegant and feminine voice and presence. But with new jeans it felt like hybe and the luxury brands, it felt like they were just snatching up whichever member they could with no real reference to individual image or style. This also however, speaks to independent and interdependent style, as newjeans members do not have distinct styles from each other, but rather a distinct group identity.

[@aubreysong]

Peer pressure is crazy and crazier these days. Influencers in USA made Stanley Cup craze, idols in South Korea made this luxury brand craze. These brands corporates targeting the same people, teen girls and women who has herd mentality.

[@NinjaKittkatt]

@@aubreysong Yea we can't judge East Asians too much when 10 year old American girls are getting bullied for not having a Stanley Cup, LuluLemon clothes, or Drunk Elephant skin care products. Although the only notable difference I can see between in the West and the East is that the social outcasting stops once kids get to college in the West, but still persists into adulthood in the East.

[@ichig0tchi]

I'm of the opinion luxury brands shouldn't even exist but blaming celebrities for wearing them is such a cop out lol I never even entertained the idea of owning anything celebrities were wearing growing up bc I was aware of our working class status, same as white kids terrorizing Sephora it's all on their moms

[@LouiseNah]

It’s crazy because a lot of kpop fans use luxury brand ambassadorships to place “worth” on the idols they stan. I always see arguments arising where people claim that their idols are better than other idols because idol A is a luxury brand ambassador and idol B is not. Or some even go as far as to argue which idol is “on top” by comparing the brands that they’re ambassadors for (if they’re ambassadors for “higher tier” brands then they’re more “valuable” or “loved” as idols). It’s insane because not only are the fans blind (intentionally or not who knows) to the motives that these brands have with making teens their brand ambassadors, they indulge in the unhealthy idea that luxury goods are a determining factor of a person’s worth and value. It’s disturbing to see such behaviour because not only are they reinforcing toxic societal standards to spend excessively to upkeep one’s image, they’re objectifying and dehumanising these idols by treating them like toys that they own. In a sense a lot of these kpop fans use the idols that they stan to measure their own self worth as well, “I’m better than you because the toy that I own is more valuable; it is more sought after than your toy therefore I’m better than you.” Not saying all kpop fans act like this, but a lot of the ones that can’t go one second without arguing act and think this way.

[@jesuslover167]

I am in a graduate program for counseling and social work... this could absolutely be a graduate level presentation. Well done! I also learned a lot about East Asian cultural norms and ideals.

[@niccxxl]

the observation about women in korea being referred to as "so-and-so's mom" is really astute! i noticed it but never made the connection. great vid!

[@spamhere1123]

In Korea, a lot of people are referred to their position/relation rather than their actual name. In fact, it's considered quite rude to refer to someone by their given name unless you are quite close to them. I worked in a 유치원, or a kindergarten, in Korea for years. It took me years to even LEARN the actual Korean names of my coworkers I spoke to every single day. Most of the other teachers in the school, the ones outside the English department that I didn't spend as much time with, I never learned their names. They were never used. Even amongst each other, they only used their title, which was usually "(class name)-teacher" like "유키샘" ("Yuki-saem", or "Yuki-teacher", where the class name was Yuki). The only exceptions were the English teachers, who adopted English names--ostensibly to aid in the immersion for the sake of teaching the kids English. But honestly, they really took to their English names, even having their family members use them. This is just speculation on my part, but I suspect that taking an English name for the sake of the job was just an excuse to have a culturally acceptable way of asserting their own individuality and humanity a bit more. The students in the English department also picked English names to go by--once again, ostensibly to not only aid in immersion, but to make it easier for foreign English teachers to remember and pronounce their names correctly (not that this mattered to me, as by then I could easily read, remember, and pronounce any Korean name). And yet again, many students seemed to prefer their English names, as it set them apart. Bottom line, a person's actual name was almost never used in the work culture, and even in cordial social culture. Referring to someone by their family name indicated at least some familiarity, and using their given name was reserved purely for close relationships. Work titles, relationships to other prominent people in the social circle, or other functional titles were the norm, not the exception.

[@Jimalcoatl]

I'm a Canadian living in Korea and I have noticed that the locals here buy into fads and fashion on a huge scale. Every few months everyone I see on the street and know in person seem to all have the new fashion ort thing. Even cheap items become huge fads that everyone gets.

[@divinegon4671]

They’re a collective people, in more way than one.

[@aspuzling]

Kinda like Stanley cups?

[@tsloggins]

I'm not sure it's on the same level. The Stanley cup craze is driven by mostly white suburban women that are middle class and above It's definitely a status symbol but plenty of people live outside of it without it hurting their social status. There are probably plenty of people who actively avoid Stanley cups because they don't want to be associated with that type of person. At least in the US the appearance of a minimalist/frugal lifestyle is just as popular as maximalist/hyper consumerist lifesyle.

[@leisiyox]

They are the copy paste ppl, what do you expect?

[@mekko902]

Among a certain group of people, maybe? I'd say the difference is that these fads in East Asia are ubiquitous. It's not one kind of young woman buying the thing, it's ALL of them. @@aspuzling

[@thaomac2907]

This is partly why I thrive when moving out of Vietnam to Germany. Suddenly nobody cares what kind of expensive foundation I pput on my face before I got out, what kind of brand my bag, my jeans, my jackets,… are. It was like a relief. I can explore my own style instead of being pressured to follow the trend. It just feels so free

[@hann3690]

it's the same in Vietnam too?

[@Thu_Thu]

​@@hann3690 No, Vietnamese society is not that harsh. Most students only wear outfits that cost about $30. A lot of students around me, whether they are good or not in their field, don't care about the price of the backpack on your back or your jacket. She chose friends like that, and that's why she left Vietnam. I'm glad someone like her left 😂

[@DieGurkenfresser]

​@@Thu_ThuYou are so fucking bitter 😂 I guess its your Jealousy speaking. Claiming that No one cares about Looks there, IS a lie. Or you are blind and deaf

[@Notbaokhanhsosorry]

@@hann3690 definitely not. My high school class I used to be in have all sort of clothing items, from cheap ass sandals to some luxury backpacks. But no one really cares except for some early moments.

[@Klust413]

​@@Thu_ThuHeads up, in English, clothes or outfits would be a better wording than costumes. A costume generally is more thought of as an imitation outfit based off a job, person, or idea like dressing up as a superhero.

[@laurenheard5187]

I was in a relationship with a Chinese man for a while. It was a culture shock for me because I didn't grow up wealthy and living below your means was valued in my family and being flashy was looked down on. I bought a Gucci bag when I graduated college as a reward for myself. His mother, a week later, begged him to get her the same exact bag. That was her checkmate. She was putting me back in my place. Needless to say, we are no longer together.

[@rumalsnewchannel1011]

"The things you own end up owning you." "We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don't like." Best quotes in the movie fight club

[@Katherine__3105]

I just moved to China, and it was so surprising for me when one of my Chinese co-workers said that she wants to buy a 15000¥ YSL bag for her birthday. Because I know that her salary is only about 3000 a month. I didn't understand why but now this video explains a lot

[@cupofgreentea]

also the YSL bags are rather badly constructed, if you believe the internet ( watch eg. Tanner Leatherstein )

[@judeffr]

Perhaps tell them therapy will be cheaper

[@Radicalstories92]

I thought the bags were fake but nooooooo,they buy they real thing.I worked with a lady who earned 5k rmb and she had a brand new IPhone and was waiting for the next one.She wasn't a rich kid for us to say she had generational wealth and her folks lived in a third tier city.😢😂

[@marczhu7473]

​@@judeffrlook people like bernard arnault need to make money on making people wear luxury. 😂

[@kinseylise8595]

@@Radicalstories92 Question: do they know how to recognize fakes? Because I don't live in a place where this is needed I wouldn't do it, but I'm wondering if for people in these areas, getting a convincing fake would be a cheap alternative that allows you to save while still conforming to social expectations.

[@fallen546]

One of the reasons my ex-girlfriend (from Hong Kong) and I broke up was our views on luxury goods. I'm not a fan of pretending to be wealthy. Instead I'd rather invest and actually be wealthy at some point. I've started to see the need for luxury brands and external validation as a personal advertisement of emotional problems. Truly wealthy people do not wear brands like they're a Nascar driver.

[@QQ-qz5ft]

A plastic bag you find blowing in the wind in a city achieves the same goal as a 40k usd Hermes bag. It holds stuff. Practical > brand Girl I sorta was talking to was similar. She’d rather be utterly broke, with loans from friends and family so she can have the Hermes bag. It isn’t a I’m better sort of thing, but I have enough to afford a decent life. I don’t own any clothing or accessory over 50 on a single item. She looks way richer than me with her LV glasses, Hermes bag, Chanel this or that clothing. We are in NYC. People stop and look at her. Little do they know she owes loan sharks money and can’t afford French fries at McDonalds.

[@Popopopipo17]

Damn , thats sad bc the break up reason is honestly too shallow 😭

[@verycherryberry3752]

th@@Popopopipo17 they said ONE of the reasons... not THE REASON...

[@Popopopipo17]

@@verycherryberry3752 still shallow

[@gaea17]

@@Popopopipo17 actually it's not. Not having the same financial goals as your partner or struggling to make ends meet are one of the biggest reasons why many couples break up and/or divorce. If you're in your 30's looking to buy a home, saving for retirement, or providing for children and you have a partner spending thousands a month on 4 or 5 pieces of luxury items or wanting to spend an extra $30k on a nicer car brand just to look good, that's extremely frustrating. That $30k could've gone to down payment on a home. $1k in investments can turn to $10k a few decades down the road. So you can see why someone would rather live comfortably and securely with their paid-off home, toyota corolla, a college fund for their children, and a fat pension than barely making rent on a 2-bedroom apt, trash credit score, and surrounded by luxury goods bought on loans that legitimate wealthy people don't even buy like LV, Gucci, and Balenciaga. People wearing those brands with big logos are just walking billboards for those companies. If my partner was being financially stupid and an incorrigible liability to my financial security, I'd dump them too.

[@susannekalejaiye4351]

Interesting. Thank you for your thorough explanation. I grew up in one of the richest per capita places in the US. The social divide was clothes: if one dressed in worn out clothes they were rich; if one was well dressed, they were poor. It wasn't that the rich didn't have designer clothes, they did, it was that those clothes weren't used daily, sometimes were worn once and then given to a second hand shop to sell.

[@elememelon9175]

Spine breaker being used is the perfect song for this topic too

[@sofairthouart]

a couple of things to consider while reading other comments (for added nuance): 1) If you're a Westerner using your experience with international students to enforce your opinions, remember that international students tend to be a lot wealthier than the average kid. That's a lot more international travel and a lot higher tuition than what they would have to pay in their home country. 2) Living in Korea, trends and luxury brands definitely have a stronger hold here, but the West isn't immune -- I think Americans just glorify a different social class. Instead of Dior and Chanel being trendy, it's Stanley Cups or Uggs or Carhartt or "I have disposable income, but I spend it on Practical, Useful things." Just trade the Louis handbag for a Fjallraven kanken and it's not so different. 3) From an American perspective (or any highly diverse country), no trend will ever take over the mass consciousness in the way East Asian trends can, not just because there's less emphasis on interdependence, but also because of the array of cultures. White culture and Black culture value different brands. Southerners and New Yorkers and Californians even have different *fast food*. You can drive the longest length of South Korea in like 7 hours -- it's a different playing field.

[@Aeiouaaaaaaaaa]

Commenting to boost this comment. As someone from both cultural spheres a lot of discourse surrounding this topic always feels reductive.

[@DannyDevitoOffical-TrustMeBro]

As an American, our near incessant need to pay for overpriced, mass-produced middle-of-the-road brands irks me to no end, so thanks for mentioning it. I don’t understand uggs, I don’t understand all the cups like hydro flasks and Stanleys, I dont understand the obsessions over food chains like Starbucks. Why not use that money to get something actually good, instead? It’s important to remember that human nature is the same all over the world, just with different flourishes and “flavors”, if you will. At least with SK’s reputation for luxury goods obsessions, you _understand_ why people would want to look rich, even if it’s financially destructive. But what about a Californian suburban kid makes everyone the country over want to look like they drive their parents’ golf carts to Starbucks on the weekends? Aren’t there more cool or imaginative ways to attempt to flex? Idk, maybe I’m just too cheap to get it

[@MrsRimavelle]

Did you just say that the entire east asia is less diverse than USA coz... in USA you have different fast food? You realise different counries in asia have completely different cultures, languages, their own traditional food, dress etc? This is such American comment it's ridiculous. (driving through entire country in 7h also means jack shit. It's about population density and history. You can drive through USA for 7h without meeting a person, that doesn't make it any more diverse). This is seriously such a tone deaf or even straight up racist comment "you're all asian so you're the same to me!"

[@claflin7973]

I went to a college that had a lot of international students. In a class, I was friends with a couple girls and guys from Taiwan. I used to dress really well, as these kids had. I had gotten close to this one girl. One day, she asked me how much my clothes cost; saying that we must shop at the same stores, etc. When I revealed that my favorite coat was only $40, she was shocked. Not because it looked bad, but a she asked me, “How do you feel confident in something so cheap? You wear it like it’s $5000.” And then she revealed to me that her sweats, hoodie, and sneakers were collectively around $10k. Just a different world! We are still friends, but just so shocking. This video makes me understand more about why she was shocked lol.

[@CJ-up7pn]

I live in Asia but I do have friends that are exactly like that. I thrift most of my clothes and often times would wear 1%-10% of the cost that my friends would wear yet blend right in. It really is about how it fits rather than the actual price.

[@mothman9003]

10k??? i just paid 2k less than that for a life saving surgery! oh my gosh

[@GabrielTobing]

10K can buy me a new super pc rip

[@sallyenki4440]

10k can save my life rn

[@glow1815]

​​@@CJ-up7pnand mix and match. Cheap clothes can look expensive if people know how to dress.

[@Trollipops]

i loooooove this video so much. i once saw a video of a korean guy living in indonesia explaning about the unhealthy luxurious culture in korea, and i feel like this video elaborates it well. thank you!

[@charleylin4215]

Great video! Keep on going! My perspective is that the concept of "interdependency" is more accurately worded as "groupthink." To me, "interdependency" means the individual helping and depends on the group and vice-versa.

[@aelivare2775]

The example of the mom having to buy a more expensive car because it was assumed she wasn't one of the moms picking up her child was really interesting to me. I may be from the west, but I recognise this story in a way. My father used to work in a very corporate environment where he had a high position. It was what he had studied and worked for for a very, very long time. But at some point, I think he was in his mid-fourties, he realised he absolutely hated it. In that world, if you drove a 'normal' or 'shitty' car, you literally would have less access to opportunities. My dad didn't care about what kind of car he had, but he had to drive an expensive Audi to impress coworkers and especially potential clients. If he had driven our family's old Dacia to work, he definitely would not have been taken as seriously and may have even lost clients over it. He also had to wear expensive suits and shoes for the same reason, which obviously would be uncomfortable to wear every single day. Not to mention the HORROR when something got a stain and he would have to get it dry cleaned, or when something shrunk or became discoloured by being washed in a washingmachine. He realised how much he hated having to conform like that and now he does different kind of work. The need for luxury and the pressure to look expensive is definitely a lot less present in the west, especially in normal day-to-day environments, but you can definitely find it in certain spaces. I feel like it can also be present in day-to-day environments but it'll be on a much smaller scale.

[@lauriepenner350]

I have seen the exact opposite of this play out! My cousin was pretty well off. He owned a construction company and drove a BMW or something. Eventually, he had to get a beat up old truck to drive to job sites because he was tired of the construction workers making fun of his fancy car.

[@deanchur]

I'd appreciate it if I was a client and the person I'm working with arrived in a Dacia; it tells me they appreciate simple, honest things and aren't overcharging me so they can have frivolities.

[@doujinflip]

Unfortunately that's not how many high net value clients would think, instead appreciating demonstration that you know what is considered premium and that you're able to take good care of it while flaunting it.

[@jolp9799]

@@doujinflip you guys gotta stop watching those old money/quiet luxury tiktoks

[@MsElizaRae]

​@@jolp9799😂 facts never seen so many folks without money giving out financial advice

[@MimisRoom333]

The example of the Puffer jackets reminds me so much of the Stanley cup craze. People everywhere are buying these expensive water bottles just to fit in. It’s not even that water bottles are good quality but the idea that they allow you to fit in.

[@ilikeramyeon]

I use generic off brand that doesent even have a handle. but the hype is real. Worse is seeing ungrateful pre-teens wanting exactly that brand, I wish they knew most manufacturing and production is outsourced anyway and its just a logo. Theres a whole side industry now of bejeweled, printed stanleys and charms to hang off the handle.

[@AdiSchwarz]

Meanwhile, I hate pink & I've always "wanted" a black tumbler but I got one [that is pink] that was given to me (basically free). It certainly provides me the same function I "need" just happened it's the color I hate looking at. I'll get one when it's finally broken... unless I get another free one. Been using it for 5yrs & yeah, no issues. 😅❤

[@tanie3543]

​@@ilikeramyeonno.. we should put the blame on adults who've created this trend of owning and flexing luxury items to show their 'worth'. Kids just do what their parents do. Pre-teens want these brands because it'll allow them to 'fit-in' with the rich kids.

[@blakksheep736]

Là, I just refill disposable bottles at the tap, Idk whats going on with that. I'm not on TikTok.

[@user-zu8hv7iq1e]

I loved this!! I've been trying to explain this to my American friends but they never get it until they actually travel to East Asia. For Japan it's not as extreme as in South Korea or China, of course wealthier people or those who struggle financial control might be different. I feel like majority of people do like to wear nice clothes and accessories that we will wear for long term so the trends of fashion including "trending face" is not as fast paste. By the time we get new info about fashion trends in Korea or China in Japan, there's already a new trend happening in their country.

[@a333aaa]

loved how well researched and articulated this video is. your points really hit home even outside of the context of luxury goods. i grew up in hong kong and moved to the uk at the age of 18, and although i never grew up conforming in terms of dress/wealth, the past decade of living in the west has made me realise what an effect collectivism/face/interdependence has had on my self image and mental health. i think there are pros and cons to both social philosophies of the west and east, but in my personal experience this interdependent culture i grew up in in hk made me into a people-pleaser very out of touch with my own wants and needs, and constantly buckling under societal pressures and other peoples' opinions of me. living in the west has given me the opportunity to see the flip side of how people live here, and develop a stronger sense of self independent of other people's opinions of me, etc. eight years on and i'm still working on not having my self worth crumble when my boss criticises me/someone dislikes me/i don't come off gregarious and perfect, but living in this hyper-independent western society has given me the opportunity to distance myself from some more toxic parts of eastern culture. don't get me wrong - the western version of society and self has issues too, and i miss asia with all my heart, and i continue to hold on tightly to some aspects of eastern culture, but ultimately this one aspect has been a huge benefit of spending some formative years living in the west.

[@stevestrangelove4970]

I remember a childhood friend (korean), who left to live in korea when he was 20. After years of not seeing him, we met again. He was slim (good), with fancy clothing and the bowl haircut. I tried to hang out with him more often but he only went to expensive bars or restaurants. No at home hanging out with some drinks anymore. It was so weird, he was a different person to the guy I grew up with who used to pranks and talk about video games.

[@tulioferreira6523]

Im sorry to hear that

[@adoroselatte]

😔

[@_aiborie]

When you experience having nothing, none of these shit (saving face, fitting in, status etc.) matters. But such is life, we all find out in our own ways.

[@deanchur]

Amen to that. They can have LV, I'll instead have the peace that comes with not having LV

[@vijaz5559]

It can go both ways. The other way is that because you had nothing, you determined to have everything, either because your environment ridicule you so much to conform with the others (which basically what happens in east asia) or because you want respect when you got none since childhood

[@defaultchan2115]

as an asian living in asia, im kinda happy i seldom give thought about how i appear or how my decisions affect those connected to me

[@theaizere]

oooo, alongside the common 'words of mouth' i heard from my grandparents (and mother and aunt and others) was 'met by your clothes/apparel seen off by mind/intelligence' i translated it tad awkwardly but the sentiment remains was reminded of that by the 'silken clothes' proverb

[@pathe8519]

Lithuania?

[@woopet1]

I'm an Australian living in Japan and everyone wears North Face and Canada Goose in Winter. Tokyo is kind of a consumerist hellhole. Whenever I send photos to my friends in Australia they always question why everyone is wearing the exact same clothes. Gucci and Louis Vuitton bags everywhere too, I even saw a giant inflatable Louis Vuitton bag in the middle of a park, it is all so baffling to me.

[@ALLKASDLLS-mg4lu]

It's a tokyo thing. I live in a local city in Japan and hardly anyone wears that kind of clothing.

[@GabrielTobing]

​@@ALLKASDLLS-mg4luThat's good, big city not worth it I guess

[@RhithwirRhi]

Also Aus but in Osaka - you have to be in certain areas of Osaka to see designer bags/name brands being worn. Although I’m from Melbourne and North Face is everywhere in Winter so might be blind to it 🤣

[@jez321]

Canada Goose is the other one I see alot of ppl wearing in super mild weather, must be sweating inside

[@VanSaused]

@@jez321Same here, but in NY, hell even in Coney Island I see North Face, Canada Goose popping out of nowhere, with the occasional Gucci, and LV bags and winter wear.

[@zsix6]

reminds me of this... "He is my neighbor Nursultan Tuliagby. He is pain in my a$$holes. I get a window from a glass, he must get a window from a glass. I get a step, he must get a step. I get a clock radio, he cannot afford. Great success!"

[@soonlytaing1708]

Borat..

[@YoshiyaMakina]

"Nobody loves my neighbor Nursultan Tulyakbay"

[@zsix6]

@@soonlytaing1708 thats right. so funny right? hahahaa

[@ville__]

Today is my birthday and I got no subscribers :((

[@asmrigloo]

Your explanation of interdependent and independent identities really helped me understand myself My family raised us interdependently because that’s what was needed to survive Especially on me as the oldest daughter And I am terribly self conscious

[@numiooh]

This is a video with lots of substance. Thank you so much for putting in so much effort and I have gained much insights about luxury consumerism in East Asia. Keep up the good work! :)

[@ShittusThinkus]

German here: When you said that in the West (or atleast in Germany) such behavior can induce pity rather than admiration is really true. I used to work for a company that checked and repaired the heating of houses so i was frequently in other peoples homes. One specific type i can across multiple times is the type of person that buys/rents an expensive Porsche or other over priced car, but if you go inside you will find rotten furniture and the cheapest of goods you can find since there is obviously not enough money left for other things. Usually these people very annoyingly try to brag about their car too, going so far as to redirect any conversation to it (Fremdscham is the feeling i had, i don't know the english word for it). It was so pathetic and embarassing to witness that we considered lowering the price of the services simply out of pity, but decided against it a couple times simply because they can across as annoying and narcissistic.

[@idnyftw]

ooh is that like "second-hand shame"? looks like I learned a new German term today :)

[@amduser86]

@@idnyftw kind of, but not all. additional it is more in the line of feeling embarrassed for somebody else and also including it cringe worthy feeling. kind of hard to translate because this is kind of a nuance compound word with no real direct translation. it is kind of in a line of words like "wanderlust" and "zeitgeist", which are at least adopted by English, because there is no real translation ...

[@cecilrhodes2153]

@@amduser86secondhand embarrassment

[@lulael5054]

Fremdscham=cringe oder :D ich denke so kann man es am besten übersetzen

[@tippytoe1250]

This reminds me of my cousins friend. He drives BMW, Mercedes and wear expensive clothes. But rents a room in the ghetto. Then when the cars need repairs he can’t afford it. I drive Hondas because they’re reliable and maintenance is affordable.

[@hilihkintil6789]

I'm really glad i knew "The emperor has no clothes" story since toddler. It's value are still ingrained in me even as adult. Don't let other people fool you with a value they made it the f#ck up!

[@claflin7973]

I also heard this story as a kid. It likely saved me a lot of money in my life.

[@I_love_You_And_Me_1996]

May I ask you what the story is about (if it doesn't annoy you ofc)

[@Itsaliyahha]

I remember the emperor story, it is one of the reasons why I don't really value materialistic things and don't feel pressured to do so.

[@Itsaliyahha]

@@I_love_You_And_Me_1996 It is a classic about a vain emperor who is sold imaginary clothing (no clothes) by two weavers who promise him that it is visible only to the wise and cannot be seen by those who are unfit for their position. It's worth reading with life lessons.

[@I_love_You_And_Me_1996]

@@Itsaliyahha thank you. I'll definitely check it out

[@zoeollie202]

I like this video so much because I am Filipina raised American and I grew up in an interdependent household in an independent country. For that reason my friends are surprised by what I feel I owe my family or how much who they are reflects me. An extension of that is that I feel I should represent Filipinos in a good light here. I am mixed (Filipina, from my mother, African American, Native American from father) and so I feel that I need to represent my people wherever I go. That’s in work ethic, prosperity, presentation, all.

[@xeonlix]

Your voice is so soft and calm, its like watching an ad

[@idongesitx1873]

What’s funny thing is that the reason why some of these items are so expensive is because they are professional gear. Like you don’t need an expensive north face if you don’t hike in the winter. People buying stuff for lifestyle they don’t live and being ignorant or purposely ignorant of it’s intended purpose.

[@demo2823]

There are some places in South Korea with some intense winters so I don't blame them for seeking out proper winter gear in order to not be eternally indoors.

[@GabrielTobing]

If I'm living in Canada near the top of in the Netherlands, yeah I'd spend a lot on gear like a nice long jacket to keep me alive hahahaha

[@idongesitx1873]

@@demo2823 I get that. I live in a pretty cold area in the northern hemisphere, but I’m not going to purchase a jacket that would make sense for a more appropriate occasion/occupation. For instance I use to camp in the colder months, so I have a mummy sleeping bag that keeps me warm during below freezing temperatures. It was a name brand and expensive. But it made sense for me. No way would I recommend the same sleeping bag for a preteens sleepover at her friends house. You can get an affordable jacket that does the same thing: Keep you warm in winter months. Especially if you are a student that rarely spends time outside

[@drewhummer8305]

I’m in Canada and lost of people have Canada goose, North face, etc because when it gets -30 it’s dangerous to go outside without a high quality jacket

[@Varocka]

@@idongesitx1873i dont know where you live but it is not uncommon for the weather on some days to be between -10 and -20 in seoul in winter and koreans are also out a lot at night so i dont think theyre being that excessive in wanting some quality winter gear but yeah it doesnt have to be north face or a fashion brand.

[@natsaliya]

currently in china, and i'm so in love with small local brands, but i definitely see people's obsession with big brands. i went to check out northface jackets, and they're so ugly and expensive, yet the shop is so busy. now i see why.

[@liselottehildegarde5367]

IKR. Luxury brands barely makes any effort in their actual products and have the gall to treat customers terribly by snubbing those who look poor!😠

[@idongesitx1873]

North face are ugly because it about functionality ie making sure people stay warm in freezing weather. It’s a brand for outdoor activity people and should not be a fashion statement. Just like how Stanley cup were functional cups for blue collar people ie construction workers and plumbers, not a fashion statement piece or a status symbol. These normal regular even middle class items that have been blown out of proportion because of trends and MIA

[@LifelessShoujo]

😂literally. I saw the jackets everywhere so i was like “what’s so special about it” saw it at my local mall, and um woah. The ones i saw look deflated as hell, thin and raggedy. I looked at the price and over 100$, for what?? 💀they crazy for that price

[@cooltwittertag]

​@@LifelessShoujonorthface is literally a fashion meme and has been for years, its just babies first "luxury product"

[@jake9854]

@@liselottehildegarde5367 but girls love luxury items tho, it's a girl thing

[@ASMRmakeupnraindrops]

Love the deeper exploration into eastern / Asian cultures! Great thoughtful video. ‘Face culture’ as you mentioned plays a much bigger role in society in the eastern cultures

[@DanielSandhu-jo4jj]

Really like the graphics you use they really help to bring together the ideas

[@instacart0]

There are aspects of this in America as well and it's called "keeping up with the joneses". You see your neighbor with a brand bmw parked in his driveway and you feel the pressure you go into debt and get yourself a nicer car.

[@MrInkblots]

Yes, but also more than half a century of this kind of materialism being derided as "keeping up with the Jones'" has resulted in far less demand for luxury goods compared to East Asia.

[@Zei33]

@@MrInkblotsI think there’s just been a developed awareness of smart and dumb ways to spend money. Stats show that Australians on average have some of the highest net worths of individuals on the planet. But that doesn’t mean we all have tons of money. It means we spent the money on assets with value like houses. Of course, it’s not uncommon to see people splurge on an expensive car here. That’s about the extent of it though. Designer clothes are seen as a waste of money for showy fools. But at the same time, there are quality brands that are much more affordable. I pretty much only buy Y.D. brand clothes, but I’m not spending thousands, just a couple hundred a year.

[@crrjc]

@@Zei33 It is categorically false than Australians have the "highest net worth of individuals on the planet" when you take into account that Australians devote a greater share of their income to mortgage repayments than any other advanced economy in the world (according to the IMF). Australian homeowners are also the second-most indebted in the world (second only to Switzerland), with Australian debt accounting for 119% of GDP. Because of this, Australia is the second-highest risk nation in the western world for loan defaults. Australia is quite literally one of the worst places right now to be a homeowner and Australians carry more household debt than their western counterparts. So Aussies aren't spending money "on assets with value like houses"...y'all are spending your money on repaying DEBT and most of your houses are, essentially, owned by the mortgage lenders! LOL...

[@Zei33]

@@crrjc the stats _DO NOT_ lie. What I’ve said is factually accurate. Both mean and median wealth numbers put Australia very close to the top. When we talk mean, Switzerland is a major outlier in first place and really shouldn’t count with such a small population. Second place goes to Americans at $550k per adult. Third place goes to Australians at $496k. The difference comes in with median numbers. Only Belgium ranks higher than Australia with $250k versus $247k, with the US not even making the top 10 on this list. Either you misread what I wrote since your quote of my comment was incorrect, or you don’t really understand what net worth means. You seem to have missed the qualifiers ‘some of,’ and ‘on average.’ Also, having a $500k mortgage on a $1M house means the net value of the house on your wealth is $500k. So yeah, check yourself before you wreck yourself. This has been a consistent fact for the last decade, and there’s tons of data supporting it. You can check most recently the 2023 global wealth report, OECDs better life index, credit suisse global wealth data book and much more.

[@Zei33]

@@crrjc also you’ve clearly demonstrated you don’t understand the Australian economy if you think being a home owner is in any way a bad thing. Let me demonstrate this with a real world example. I built a house 5 years ago for $410k. My loan was for about $350k. My mortgage costs me about half of what I’d be paying in rent each week. The money I pay into my mortgage becomes equity, it’s not lost, and when I sell the house, I regain that money. Furthermore, the Australian housing market is extremely strong. In 5 years, my house went from $410k to $700k in valuation. That means that, if I sold my house now, I would walk away with $400k, from an initial investment of $60k. That doesn’t even include the fact that by owning a house as a single man, I am able to rent out my two spare rooms to two house mates. That rental income makes me $2000 a month. So each year, my house not only serves as my home, but also generates $24,000 in rental income. You would be a fool to think that having a mortgage is a bad thing. It’s very easy to divest yourself of a mortgage in Australia. It’s really just a formality.

[@odelia_roav]

the north face issue in Korea goes even deeper than that, interestingly enough. Because north face puffers became SO popular with kids, adults began to associate it with the youth and the brand overall lost a lot of popularity with adults, which are (usually) a much bigger demographic, so north face (along with some other brands like tom brown and under armour who had similar issues) has been working really hard to undo that association.

[@ianrau6373]

Just out of curiosity, do you know why North Face being associated with youth would tank sales in the adult market? I don’t see how the two are mutually exclusive.

[@namesurname624]

​@@ianrau6373kids are short and silly, brand posture is elitist and agressive

[@dababy824]

Thank you for this video. Not sure why there's not that many people being grateful for this information. This is so insightful and you explain it so well and thorough. Please keep up your efforts. This is amazing!

[@francineodonnell2598]

Thanks for the education. What a great video. I'm black American and always thought it was too much pressure to be Asian. This def added another layer to that.

[@Anasvet28]

Using BTS' Spine Breaker as the soundtrack for this was genius, since that's what the song is about.

[@uriels4097]

Sometimes I like to put some "walking around video" on tv while I'm cooking and it's crazy how koreans wear pretty much the same clothes, same colors (black, white, beige,...) and even have the same haircut

[@ARM3LO]

Exactly! This is something that Always sticks out to me and I find so strange. Because even outside of the crazy consumerism in East Asia in general, In China and especially Japan, people are dripped tf out. And they actually have fits on that look unique and have some individual flare to it. But in Korea it's all the same fit, same neutral colors (grey, black, white), very little originality.

[@autumnrain249]

In Korea I got the feeling everyone was trying to fit into the same few character tropes (the hot girl, the cute girl, the mature guy, the fun guy, etc). When people are interested in you and ask for your phone number they say stuff like "you are my type" rather than something about you as an individual. I got two unrelated guys confused at an event once because they had the same haircut, wore very similar clothes, and even behaved like each other 😅😅

[@AnaOliveira-gh1qg]

Love how you put the BTS song “spine breaker” bc it represents so well the theme of the video! So smart of you 💜

[@AltheaCor1004]

love how you explained the east asian culture and psychology, you got a new subscriber !

[@princessneptunus]

im literally shocked... next to the extreme beauty standards and other problems in east asia, this too? it seems like hell to live there

[@kittydream_4717]

Fr

[@margaesperanza]

My fave activity is watching asian celebs walk the red carpets with their kids and the kids looks nothing like either parent. South Korea also allow kids as young as 11 to get plastic surgery to pass being “natural” beauties. This is why I do not believe a korean idol or actor is natural even with childhood pics.

[@jimiixuu]

@@margaesperanza I mean girl don't exaggerate too much. SK, Hollywood black celebs, white,vrown everyone does surgery but saying Sk parents let 11years to do is far stretch. no doctors are allowed to do surgery on minors for cosmetic enhancement. I mean they do surgeries but when they are above 18 especially after graduating high school.

[@scc-ew9op]

@@margaesperanza do you have shit for the brain or are you jealous? You are talking as if Koreans aren't beautiful naturally and only your people are.smh. well every race have beautiful people. To burst your bubble ur own country celebs undergoes rhinoplasty to get rid of that big bump hooked nose and put filler on eyes to not to look hollow sunken eyes. Some South Koreans may undergo surgery but saying 11 years do surgery to pass being natural is hilarious. where in the world did you hear that? I mean I have heard they do double eyelid surgeries but only after completing high school. No way any doctors will do procedure on young kids cause its ethically wrong and violates surgeon's code of conduct. plus young age cant tolerate the intensity of the surgeries nor their body. Which parents will let their kids be dead on the surgeon tables?

[@no.1fan156]

​@@jimiixuuThey actually do that in SK tho? Have you heard of that case where the mom made her kid undergo surgery because she didn't like her monolid? It's way too common than you think and it's not an exaggeration lol.

[@JamesWilliams202X]

Babe wake up, new aini vid just dropped

[@xZaibx]

An cute posted, arise fellow.

[@AttaBek1422]

Always up for Aini

[@JaehaPark]

the best video essays on youtube!

[@queen_maeve]

we up

[@shinsooxx]

I was thinking of the exact same comment before clicking this video haha.

[@seoktheseballs]

ive actually been thinking about this topic for a while now so it was an instant click when i saw this on my recommended! as an asian myself you did such a great job explaining the intricacies of asian culture that some westerners just don't seem to get and i really appreciate the effort and time you took to do research and cite your sources. this was a great video thank you for sharing this it was an immediate sub (also love to see a successful army :])

[@stellamazing]

you just earned a new subscriber with this video. never been so captivated by one video.

[@jiazezhang3462]

As a Chinese person raised in Spain, I never got to fully understand this aspect of my own culture. Having been instilled Western cultural values, I consider this kind of spending very much stupid. But now I understand some irrational behaviours from my mother, at least from my cultural values, when she tries to control certain aspects such as clothing or hair style.

[@tuuflesstsuu]

The idea of keeping up appearances also extends to keeping up facetime in the workplace, where heavy overtime is often seen as a sign of dedication, instead of inefficiency and bad management. I'm not sure if that is fully cultural though, as there are work environments in the West that also subscribe to similar ideas (law and finance come to mind). Keep up the good work!

[@cyansalvatore6011]

It is cultural. Majority of people in the west complain when they have overtime. Majority of asian people complain about stress but recognize that overtime is keeping up face and dedication, that's why it's quite literally everywhere in asia.

[@zg-it]

It's amazing, as an American, I pride myself on how I get by comfortably on barely 3 hours of work a day. If I turn that into 10 hours a day, I'd probably be pretty rich, and pretty miserable

[@kempolar9768]

​@@zg-itsame for me in a way. Though it's a balancing act between working longer hours than average for less days per week. It's normal for me to work 9 hour shifts and having one 10 hour shift is kinda regular. But thanks to that I get a full 3 days off rather than 2. Still no way I could pull off more than one 10 hour per week, screw that.

[@ville__]

Today is my birthday and I got no subscribers :((

[@koriander.k7377]

​@@ville__ Earn your subscribers 😂

[@anierikidemona]

This was extremely interesting. Also very well done. I can't wait to see the rest of your channel.

[@estherng801]

love this video - the phenomenon is so well explored and discussed in such an in-depth way!! lots of interesting perspectives too - well done!

[@Lena-dear]

Can't speak for everyone in Europe but from my experience it's like this here: if you buy something luxury, it's not flashy, just 'usual' clothing items, and you buy it cause these pieces are supposed to last longer and fit better. However, if you buy something flashy, with lots of logos, everyone's gonna wonder why are you a walking billboard. Like why would you pay to be a free ad for some company? It can also be seen as tacky and in a bad taste. Normally, you'd see people mixing clothes from various more and less expensive brands. Even princess Kate wears Zara pieces quite often. I think people in Europe prefer to search for smaller butiques and wear original items, and if they pay more, it's for a pure linen or silk piece from a local brand. It can even be seen as embarassing if many people have the same or similar bag, it's better to be unique. I always have the most compliments when I wear a dress I designed myself and my trusted seamstress made for me, or one-of-a-kind brooch I bought in Monti, Rome. You'll see the same mindset in all the popular style guidebooks, f.ex. the ones by Ines de la Fressange. She won't tell you you must absolutely go buy that one LV bag full of logos because...that's just not very fashionable?

[@royaldiadem324]

A European woman here 🖐️, and Yes this is mainly true I think all over EU and some do not waste time on brands, but busy working and providing for the family so their is not about the self .

[@yuutsuu5657]

ALSO there is a huge market of fake designer goods in places like Turkey so if you would go on holidays there and then show up with LV bag, ppl will assume that's fake😆

[@DannyDevitoOffical-TrustMeBro]

Where I live in the southern United States, people definitely prefer either sportswear or handmade goods over the big name “luxury” brands. Attitudes really depend on where in the US you live, of course, since it’s so big, but it’s honestly quite cool to see all of these pretty small boutiques that sell a lot of handmade things doing so well. My mom and sister love them. I’m honestly not sure when the last time I actually saw “designer” wear on someone was, and the few times I do, I automatically assume it’s a dupe since they’re so common now. I also don’t understand wearing brand logos as fashion. You’re basically just one of those teenagers payed to stand on street corners with branded cardboard advertisements slung around their necks, how is that cool? It doesn’t even look good. Gucci is definitely the worst at this imo, it’s all just hideous

[@not_imy]

I don't know why but I've never had this affinity towards luxury goods. Maybe it was growing up poor and being taught the value of money early. Utility, value and aesthetic (more or less in that order) has always been how I make my purchases.

[@not_imy]

If anything, I often end up buying brands people around me have never heard of because they're smaller companies that create more focused, sustainable products!

[@nerdygem8620]

I'm fortunate to say I didn't grow up poor, but DID grow up with a stingy father! 😂 So I grew up with a respect for value for money and learned to ignore trends that I otherwise had no interest in. It's a scarily rare thing these days, or maybe it seems that way because of how people show off on social media.

[@splitendautumn]

Many of these people grow up poor as well and still purchase or try to conform. As the video says, it's largely because of culture

[@equidistanthoneyjoy7600]

It also helps that a lot of designer stuff looks like complete garbage. Like I just googled "designer handbag" and found one for 15k with a bunch of holes that I could fit my fist through, even if I had the money to burn and I was obsessed with fashion I would never be caught dead with that.

[@SnowSNS11]

Yk I thought a LV bag is so common looking? Like the design is overdone? I thought I would not like it, but strangely the more I see them, the more they don't look too bad anymore. I wonder if we get influenced by our surroundings.

[@taisia_tichnowetzki]

Thank you for the detailed analysis, it makes so much sense ❤ instant subscription

[@modernwarfare3rulz]

Learning so much about East Asia from your channel, very different than what I’d thought

[@goncaloaraujo6644]

idk if i can speak for all europeans but at least for the Portuguese I can. When someone buys something designer people look at you like "wtf are you doing?" or "are you dumb?" not really the types of comments or looks americans expect. Being ultra-flashy is looked down upon

[@goncaloaraujo6644]

@@selenecelestial6039 maybe depends on the place or your circle of people. people with designer stuff are very rare.

[@flannelsone1159]

It is actually the same in america too

[@a-terrible-fate532]

its an understandable reaction to an extent. I wouldn't shell out any money for luxury clothing / goods unless its something i want and is top quality and worth the price. I don't do it for the imagine.

[@DannyDevitoOffical-TrustMeBro]

America honestly tends more towards the sportswear, athleisure and casual brands more than the luxury ones. Major cities tend to be the exceptions. We really don’t like the loud, obnoxious fools who over compensate for a host of deficiencies with loud brand graphics and colors in most of the country. Though, there’s also the extra little details of differences between ethnic subcultures, but for the most part, if you live outside of a major city or just in the south generally, gucci ain’t so gucci with us

[@Zei33]

This cultural difference has affected me. So last year I had a Japanese student come and rent one of my rooms while she went to the university nearby. We became pretty good friends over the months. She really tried to save money, always cooking her own food at home. She didn’t even like paying for the bus to get to the university or the cheap rent. Always unwilling to spend money if she could avoid it. Then one day, she just decides she’s going to buy a $3000 designer loafers 👞. I was really surprised anyone would spend that kind of money on shoes, it’s half the value of my car. Anyway I kept my thoughts to myself but a while later while she was temporarily back in Japan, money came up again where she was hesitant to pay for something. I asked, “we’re friends right? Can I ask a difficult question?” She said, “of course it’s okay.” So I asked her how she differentiated between the money that she spent on things like food and transportation, versus those Prada loafers she bought? My god. The shit storm that question caused. She basically just said friends wouldn’t ask that question and deleted her WhatsApp app. I heard from her once or twice more through email but that was it. I still to this day struggle to understand exactly what went wrong. Australians are free and open when we talk about stuff. I’ve asked tougher questions of people I knew way less well. Nobody has ever reacted so extremely to an innocent question like that. Money is just not really a sensitive issue in Australia. It’s pretty much a starter conversation topic with strangers about how shafted by bills you’re getting currently and how empty your bank account is. 🤷‍♂️ I really enjoyed being her friend for that time. I was so disappointed that it ended so easily.

[@baronvonjo1929]

That's beyond ridiculous

[@Zei33]

@@baronvonjo1929 might be ridiculous but I assure you that’s exactly how it played out. There may have been a deeper context involving her parents (separated) and her father being super rich and mother just average. But I can’t speak to it since I don’t know the details.

[@markigirl2757]

i feel like this may of been a similar situation with someone i was friends with from Malaysia and when i called out certain issues she couldn't comprehend it despite knowing English. My gut is that your friend specifically realized your right and could not bare showing their face to you because of getting clocked for the decision they made but it saves u dealing with the toxicity of that mentality. We see how it speed running Japan and Korea's collapse because of this mentality so even tho i get it it also isn't surprising many social and economic states of those countries are directly caused by that mentality your past friend had

[@apocalypseready6256]

It was a pretty extreme response but different countries have different cultural standards. I’m not gonna claim I know Japan but I know a lot of Japanese people in which propriety and privacy are hugely important. They may not be as open to discussing these things as other cultures. That still doesn’t excuse what she did, but it might explain it. I personally know money discussions are absolutely forbidden in my extended family (Vietnamese), even if its something innocuous it’ll likely be considered a slight against the recipient. Just difference in culture + stronger sensitivity to class ig

[@oliviastratton2169]

Reminds me of a story my professor told me about an American businessman working in Egypt. He became really good friends with a coworker and they made plans to start their own business together with him managing operations in the US and the friend managing operations in Egypt. Right before he was set to return to the US, his friend invited him to his house for dinner - a great honor for a foreigner. They had a wonderful evening, and when he left he said "thanks for the wonderful food". But when he got back to the US, the friend ghosted him. He wouldn't answer his calls or emails. It turned out that by complimenting the food, instead of the man's family, he had insulted the man. Their friendship, and their business plans, were over. It's hard for those of us living in dignity-centric cultures that value forthrightness to understand honor-centric cultures that value etiquette. And it can create huge misunderstandings.

[@favouritesdump]

This is really well done. I like that you go in depth about the culture differences. It makes it alot easier to understand why this happens.

[@julremnacua]

I love that smooth transition in endorsing that software

[@lolxdlolmfaololxdd8879]

one more reason to not buy luxury (at least in US) is the risk of it getting stolen not walking in chicago downtown at night wearing all Prada

[@danshakuimo]

If you were actually rich you would have bodyguards and would live in a gated community. There is no need for people to flex with brands.

[@RK-bx1by]

@@danshakuimo The paradox is that the really rich don't wear luxury brands that are recognisable. So they can walk downtown Chicago at night with no issues.

[@oshk6982]

Well in east Asia the risk of things getting stolen is close to zero so there is no such thought.

[@aidanmuller3358]

​@@oshk6982 That's a lie. Pickpocketers and scammers still exists.

[@malum9478]

@@oshk6982 sounds like an open market...

[@Gaunerchen]

Gen Z in the west also spend way too much on 'luxury' brands. They spend by far the highest percentage of their income on these brands of any generation.

[@monk4ever]

That's why Gen Z is broke. 😊

[@sleeepy181]

@@monk4ever The economy is objectively worse than it was for past generations.

[@xx-----------xx873]

@@sleeepy181 No it's way way better, last ten years have been the strongest bull run possible. Spending on luxury instead of S&P is a waste of time.

[@sofi360]

@@xx-----------xx873 dude just look at the housing prices

[@livmoredieless]

first time seeing your channel, this is really interesting and well researched, as a westerner living in East Asia, it puts a lot of things I've noticed into perspective. Great video!

[@JamelCarrino]

Love *preluxs* the way you show it! You really focus on showing off the bag. I don't think any other KZbinr can show off bags in as much detail as you.

[@premiersportingkc3443]

When I first visited China ten years ago with my Chinese wife to visit her family over there, I was dumbfounded by how obsessed everyone was about appearing wealthy. Capitalism + "saving face" had resulted in this weird social expectation that everyone had to pretend to be wealthier than they were, to the point where it put them in a disastrous financial situation. While I certainly had experienced this behavior growing up in America, this behavior was magnified ten-fold over in China. It was also weird how everyone assumed I was rich because I was a white American (I was a public school teacher at the time, lmao). My in-laws would brag to their family about how they had an American son-in-law, and then whenever we went to a shop they would tell the shopkeeper I was Russian so we wouldn't get fleeced, lol

[@HWDragonborn]

"tell the shopkeeper that I was Russian so we wouldn't get fleeced" Do Chinese really think that Russians are poor that they aren't worthy enough to rip off?

[@keaixiaomeinv]

That is nothing short of hilarious. A little sad, but more hilarious still.

[@AdianBlack]

This blows my mind as I would consider someone who paid 4k for a bag an idiot and a sucker...its a frigging bag and could NEVER be worth that much. Luxury has always been a scam for people with too much money and too little sense. The fact that so many people are essentially destroying their financial futures just to look good really does highlight the differences in culture we experience.

[@amduser86]

Luxury is not really a scam. Luxury usually stand for higher quality and less hassle with the products. Problem is, that in our dystopian modern world luxury brands are mostly owned by rich persons who live of the previously established image and sell lesser quality products for a higher price. At least that is the feeling i have got, after rimowa and birkenstock were bought by LVMH. Everything that is bought buy LVMH just got worse in quality and more expensive ...

[@exodia_2299]

It more of way for normal people to stand out. The problem everyone is doing the same thing to stand out, which make not special anymore.

[@AdianBlack]

@@amduser86 There's no way a bag could ever be worth several grand. Scam.

[@weird-guy]

And most is not even good quality because lvmh and kering only care about profit margins🤣, cheap enough that poorer people can buy it on credit but not cheap enough that even the cleaning lady has one.

[@gethina-come7885]

@@amduser86 Even if its handmade it aint cost 15 k for a bag. "Luxury" Fashion item literally a scam, how a bag, could cost 15 k, while the production cost is probably 200-300

[@BittersweetMayhem]

A better analysis than i expected. Thought it would just be 'social status' but you dived a bit deeper. ❤

[@luxiiien]

i love watching your videos, the topics you touch on are always fascinating!

[@killergrooves2438]

The irony is that the uber rich don’t wear brands and labels. They spend money on custom stuff specifically tailored for them. The kind of stuff that people don’t know exists or where to even get it. Tailored suits, tailored pants, custom sweaters. I used to work at a bank in Seattle that had a very wealthy clientele and these millionaires dressed like you would never be able to pick them out in a room. It was very unassuming like they were background actors in a TV show. No free advertising allowed.

[@rupuru9692]

That's the reason some of the Korean dramas don't exaggerate its just what surrounds them and how Korean celebrities appear in so many designer stores and event and are so obsessed with being brand ambassadors of luxury brands

[@Raven-bi3xn]

I wish I had more friends like you in life. You’re simply brilliant and incredibly profound.

[@dainippon9229]

This is only a korean and chinese thing. The japanese people are a humble, they are logical and reasonable, unlike other. Japanese do not spend on luxury brands, but support local brands, which are more beautiful to the eye than the luxury brand. The japanese hand touch is the key to luxury, not the cheap taste sense of korean and chinese

[@cammtz8312]

There's this great meme of a class full of kids wearing the exact same adidas and the captions read something like "Capitalism: Under Communism there would be no self expression. Also Capitalism: [insert said image]." It's such a shame we have kids stressing out about looking like everyone else, they should be playing with identity and self expression.

[@peepinR]

I remember in Florida there was a push to have kids wear school uniforms and students had a fit about denying self expression and a cartoon came out showing all the kids wearing a oversized Tshirt, jeans and backwards cap lampooning what the kids were saying

[@korgalis]

Under Communism they would be starving

[@melon3860]

The biggest lie communist ever told is making people compare capitalism (economy) to communism (politics)

[@jeffreyzheng8875]

@@korgalis Because capitalism isn't a system where millions starve to death even when enough food exists to feed everyone. Right?

[@cooltwittertag]

​@@peepinRgod boomer cartoons sound annoying

[@silverwither9976]

It's interesting for me to see this as a SE Asian because although I knew of this trend, I never saw it much in my community. Sure, sometimes we buy nice things or eat in luxurious places to feel nice and flex, but most of the times we're comparing good deals, aka getting the best quality item/service with the cheapest and most reasonable price point. We also share places with good deals so everyone else can try them.

[@silverchairsg]

U Singaporean?

[@hillariat2147]

Singapore but mix in the luxury brand. Its a competition of who can get the best discount on the best LV bag 😂

[@JeSt4m]

SEA have weird blend of the two They knew how fucking dumb this trend is.. but they still want to looks the part without breaking the bank. Instead of real life brag they focused more on E-bragging E.g People will rush to some chic cafe, and restaurant just so that they can post that they've been to that place on insta. The differences in culture is also important, in SEA, generally speaking showing off is frowned upon. Instead of buying the real deal buying fake designers goods for fraction the part is applauded, because it's sounds financial decision. If you actually buy the real goods people will instead think of you as show off and you might even get a flak for it. Like in the end people here hated non-utilitarian luxury.. like I never realize this till it's pretty late but people actually speak behind my back because I tend to eat out at fancy restaurant often. Like it never crossed my mind that in here people actually think expensive food and expensive bag in the same category..

[@sophiagonzales8974]

@@JeSt4m For me I find that its the "older" generation are the ones who care more about luxury than the younger generation or at least (gen z) in SE the only people who care about luxury were the millennials and everyone older than them. I haven't gen z seen any of the gen z i know talk about wanting luxury cosmetics or going above their finances for it, but I just know my peers around my age who are female are into cosmetics and the latest stuff. Personally for me its the mostly the millenials that want to have enough money to buy luxury items.

[@JeSt4m]

​@@sophiagonzales8974 If your definition of Luxury is luxury goods then yes. But younger generation in SEA live in different kind of luxury consumption a.k.a overpriced service. Like the recent hire in my company are willing to buy coffee that are 10x the prices just for the sake of buying it.. on semi-daily basis. They also love to travels and eat out A LOT and have ridiculous "social expenses" Again not that I can comment bout it since I love to do culinary tour before it was cool but yea I'm from the generation that buy gold rolex and drink coffee from roadside stall which is stark contrast with the 0 luxury goods but buy starbucks everyday generation.

[@randomstufmaker]

using Spine Breaker by BTS in a video explaining how people spend more than they should is golden, simply perfect lol. such an informative video. despite being an asian, seeing the level of expenditure on lux goods in east asia had me stumped for the longest time n im understanding so much more now. thank u

[@user-rn6vb3nn9n]

he variety of textures in the mamacoo pack is impressive. From smooth leather to textured suede, there's something for everyone.

[@WokOverEasy]

Interesting how Muji and Uniqlo is doing so well in Japan and Asia. Muji is called no brand label in Chinese for those who want to avoid labels but still have good quality.

[@emismith4655]

It’s Japanese.

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

Same indonesia. Some the have-much laugh at the have-nots using BIG BRANDS things. Graduated from known "old money big brains" college, i know my college friends and parents using clothes and shoes worth millions with none of brands name only minute logos. Or like me, knows where the brands' factories located and just bought the rejects for 1/1000 price😂

[@thisnthat7760]

"Muji" is a special " word " in a few Indian languages ( I say "few" because we have over 1700 languages) 😂😂😂😂😂

[@greyfells2829]

We have a similar problem in eastern Europe. We were poor only a few decades ago, so people have a deep-rooted desire to show off their wealth. A person's social status is greatly impacted by the percieved value and prestige of their work.

[@MonstarAsher]

I love it - your videos are as good as research papers. Can you please make a video on how you research a topic, gather data and write a script?