Why South Koreans are obsessed with Luxury Goods

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[@caitthecat]

The quality of luxury items has decreased dramatically in the last two decades. These days, you only pay for the name, not its durability. Planned obsolescence is a real thing.

[@yuugen999]

That's pretty much it... Sometimes the quality is proportional to the price... But in this IG filter society, who the hell cares about quality as long as you can see the logo popping out...

[@AKu-xs5vg]

A lot of Asians and Black Americans are obsessed with western luxury brands just for the namesake. Very dronelike behavior.

[@CC-px6ik]

@@yuugen999 true

[@user-cnksi223]

that's right. As a pragmatist, I see luxury goods as a waste of money. How ridiculous is it that the presidents of luxury brands are among the world's richest? 😂

[@raquelfigueroa5539]

Yes!!!

[@nancy2754]

I'll never forget my Korean friend studying abroad in my country, and sometimes not having enough to eat except a pack of ramyeon but spending $3,000 on a dior scarf when we went to the poshest department store in my country. She was in her overdraft but her motto was classic designer things don't go out of style. Made me realize that everyone has different priorities in life...

[@Maidaseu]

I'm sure that scarf is cost effective 😅😅😅

[@nancy2754]

@@tonykim3033 What does that mean? At least for my friend, she likes to look good so designer stuff is more of a priority.

[@aracelirodriguez5367]

Pues es ridículo que le "guste verse bien", por un lado, pero por otro se esté muriendo de hambre. 😆🙃 Hay mucha gente que piensa que, no es una prioridad el gastar en cosas de diseñador por que, sabiendo buscar y teniendo buen gusto, se viste bien.

[@pamilyariot3103]

I once worked for a Korean online academy, in which a guy (student) shared that he had to eat ramyun for a month because he had gifted his girlfriend an LV bag.

[@anonymous_7788]

What a stupid motto 😂

[@aaawwweeee]

Korean obsession with materialistic, superficial, luxury items is out of control, even as a Korean myself i always have a hard time wrapping my head around and understanding them.

[@nancylove8360]

So this obsession with materialistic things don't happen all over the word and it's just Korea? You ever watch the news in the USA where criminals are targeting luxury brand name stores like Louis Vuitton, Gucci etc..?

[@jonnamajaneva5933]

​@@nancylove8360I think that in my country the obsession with materialistic things dont really show at all. But im from nordic country.

[@jonnamajaneva5933]

@@AL-qj9yh Unless u go to funeral or wedding where u have to be dressed nicer. Its inapproriate and unclassy to show off with some luxury clothes aka money.

[@wyw201]

@@AL-qj9yh What would he be jealous of ?

[@wyw201]

@@nancylove8360 Nowhere did the original comment explicitly state "only" Korea. He is stating an observation. In this context, USA is not relevant to his observation unless you think there is a correlation between materialism in USA and materialism in Korea. Even if there is a correlation between the spending habits of two countries, it would be quite difficult to prove causation.

[@kobebryant5491]

The crazy thing is the real rich folks don’t really buy these things. Most “luxury” items are targeting middle class citizens. These companies just use celebrities to market their items. Their main customers are from East Asia… especially China and South Korea where they have a huge wealth gap

[@evgenijalanger7008]

They still haven’t understood that 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Everythingz127]

Exactly, they target the middle class. Those who are one foot from being rich but will never be. Those people will strive to look good just like celebrities and appear rich on order to be validated

[@cottoncandykawaii2673]

@@Everythingz127 they target middle class and Nouveau riche, old money don't wear things with visible brand labels because that's considered tacky

[@cottoncandykawaii2673]

@@melc4308 maybe but it's clear that they are new money when they walk around covered in more brand labels then a Nascar

[@ywasayana]

Yep, i have one friend that buy a lot of Balenciaga shoes, and he thinks that he have a lot of money because he can buy this kind of brands and he talk so bad with the chinese clones but Balenciaga mades all the shoes in China, so whats the difference? 😅

[@moonbalancedd]

paying 1.5k for a scarf.... I can literally build my entire wardrobe from ZERO with all new clothes with that.

[@mikeguardian9840]

That is the difference between luxury vs non lol. I can get a watch for $50 and others can cost 25k lol.

[@mydogisbailey]

Korean culture is among the most superficial in the world. That’s not a judgement, it’s just an observational fact. Appearance is what society there values.

[@cesars267]

Yeah , sure. In America you can go out in pyjamas and no one will ever bother to look at you...

[@user-cnksi223]

Those who want to say that Korea is the most materialistic and superficial country in the world are only qualified when they come from a country where there are fewer pickpockets and street scams than Korea, and people who are more emotionally honest than Koreans. But from my point of view, this kind of country is honestly very rare. The only country that comes to mind right now is Taiwan only

[@user-cnksi223]

​@@cesars267yeah but they bother people who look like asian

[@gillmsnfillman1691]

@@cesars267Straw-manning the lowest common denominator doesn’t disprove the facts.

[@wsupwitit]

@@Rigdjc0183hc it's not mushi, it's a different perspective. You obviously can't see it because you're so defensive in your argument... Try seeing it from an objective point of view,. How can you disagree and say Korean society isn't overwhelmingly obsessed with superficial things? In Korea, it's normal for teenagers to get plastic surgery after graduation... That's not a worldwide thing, so of course it's shocking to the world. It won't be shocking to you because that's normal, but from a human perspective, it's completely abnormal.

[@TexanRibs4312]

I was once talking to a korean girl and she was flabbergasted when I told her that most Europeans don't buy those brands. I say this because most of the brands mentioned here are from Europe. The likes of LV, Gucci, etc are pure garbage. They are the fast food of "luxury fashion". Most of these mainstream brands are garbage and their products are made exactly the same way as the brands from China. You are paying 1000x more solely because of the name. There are only 3 brands that I would consider buying and those are Loro Piana, Brunnelo Cucinneli and Cartier. Also, just because something is expensive it definitely does not mean that it's good, like the first lady said. This, naturally, is a personal opinion, but people should definitely be aware that the mainstream "luxury" brands aren't luxury at all.

[@vincentdesun]

Has China eaten your lunch?

[@강아지-l1o]

Im Korean but I couldn't agree more

[@carlitoxb110]

Some People is really bad at figuring out the real value of things

[@jshawney3355]

the dirty secret is that the luxury brands are made in China and bought by the designers for $50 a piece and then retailed for $5k

[@BrunoHeggli-zp3nl]

Wrong,the products are nice and of good quality but for sute to expensiv!O would Like to buy a nice mecanical used vintage watch,but sadly i lose very fast my watches!

[@coolpandaz6457]

Hyper-consumerism and hyper-capitalism

[@CharlieWingate1]

What does capitalism have to do with it? Did capitalism force them to purchase luxury items?

[@katherinejimenezmatos2009]

​@@CharlieWingate1Capitalism is a system that depends highly on consumerism, and its strongly promoted in all society.

[@CharlieWingate1]

@katherinejimenezmatos2009 if you purchase luxury items then that is your decision. No one or nothing else is to blame.

[@BlueSkyCountry]

Nothing wrong with that. Nobody lives forever and we are all going to pass one day. So indulge to your heart's content.

[@aygulmemet4201]

​@@BlueSkyCountry True. But then their kids would grow up being taught to look down on poor people who can't afford luxuries. Another side effect is that people would find illegal ways to make money to buy their luxuries.

[@sopzena]

I watched a documentary a while ago about how Koreans max out their credit cards and have a lot of debt just to own luxury items. It’s really sad to see how pressured these people feel by the society to willingly go into debt for wearing a luxury brand item.

[@nancylove8360]

Doesn't that happen in every other country? Sure does here in America.

[@bezamichael4591]

If you don't mind, can you pls send me the link of the documentary?

[@danas881]

Yes I’d like to know too. I see if I can google it. I’ll be back if I find out.

[@ThaoLe-ln3ou]

The documentary title is South Korea's Growing Household Debt if you haven't found it yet.

[@divyanshkumar4762]

Can you tell me the name of that documentary

[@snowflakeismelting]

SK is getting scarier and scarier. If I lived there, I might work my butt off just to afford these useless stuff to please people.

[@intreoo]

Agreed. It'd be nice to live there for a while but I can NEVER imagine spending my entire life there.

[@damncritics]

Or you could just... not give a shit if other people are throwing their money away buying shit they don't need? I moved here about a year ago and honestly don't have a single designer item on me.

[@jeans.334]

nobody’s forcing you to buy them tho

[@melanihan169]

After giving tons of money to luxury brands, it is ridiculous to advertise the brand by wearing their products with huge emblems. I prefer to buy a products not because of the brand, but because I like the design and because they are of good quality. It's pointless to buy something just because it has a name

[@_CL]

yeah, it's acting as a sponsor without actually being sponsored by the brand haha

[@crunchycashewnuts]

That's the purpose why people buy things with logos you see. They want to show to others that they are "rich" and that "I paid XXX amount for this bag". It's a "I'm better than you" or "I'm not inferior to you" kind of culture

[@MatthewVideoProduction]

Me too, I prefer to wear the quiet luxury and go for the design, and general quality, feel.

[@wsupwitit]

Its sad when they’re always looking to flex but a lot of them have crazy debt. They don’t even know why they like the brand or what to look for, they simply like it because people recognize the brands. They live off of other people’s opinions and there’s rarely any individualism when it comes to expression.

[@AKu-xs5vg]

one of the things I hate about rich Asians, a lot of them just blindly ape whatever europeans do, to the point where they actually do it 10x more than euros Intelligent rich people don't buy expensive brands, and if they do spend a lot of money on clothes it'll be for the material or a custom tailored fit.

[@wsupwitit]

@@AKu-xs5vg Just to reinforce my argument, they mostly wear tacky loud luxury brands like Gucci, Prada, LV, etc. You'll never see them wearing quieter, more discreet pieces from houses like Loro Piana or Brunello Cucinelli and such, unless they are truly wealthy individuals.

[@latlj1283]

@@wsupwitit Same S**t.

[@ElwynnForest]

@@AKu-xs5vgYou nailed it. -From a well educated wealthy Korean American

[@mar_dma]

South Korea as a whole feels like a Black Mirror episode on it own lmao I know the entire world is sick and we need to do something about it, but SK feels unreal, sometimes I can’t believe the things that come out of their mouth…

[@trusttruth9916]

Your comment is hilarious! I have to stop off there on my way back from my other destination to Japan, there's a superficial vibe to it, and the foreigners who go there increase it Ten Fold, they think that they are Kpop artists or in a K-Drama, I can only do 2-3 days Max, but Japan has different issues, it's the Titanic that they can see happening but pretend that they can't see what's happening just to keep the status quo

[@atkim122]

I’m a Korean American who moved to the states in the 1980s, and the SK of today has been said to be a futuristic cyberpunk dystopia in many ways. It’s ruled by Samsung which makes up 20% of the country’s GDP, and many of its average citizens adopted the worst traits of the materialistic west; fomo, social media validation, and superficial pretty-privilege in all sectors of life.

[@dorianguey]

@@atkim122 I'd wager that the East is far more materialistic than the West, and it isn't coming from western influence. East Asian cultures focus on showcasing wealth more than the West. Just look at old traditions like 过大礼 (guo da li) in Chinese culture, and 함 (hahm) in Korea. I personally know Koreans who go into debt just to buy luxury purses and watches for their new in-laws. And then there's the older custom (still practice by a lot of Koreans) where the married couple gives a monthly "salary'" of 1k+ to their parents. There is just so much emphasis on wealth. You either have it, or go into debt pretending you do.

[@3ama4life]

This right here,IS THE COMMENT! Lol. My gosh!

[@cesars267]

@@atkim122 Dude , I feel you, you're better off in America , trust me

[@riychu070]

I think the lady in pink is very realistic in her luxury purchases. As she said she keeps her items for years and in that sense it is better than buying multiples over the same time period that dont get as much use. Also certain luxe goods appreciate in value over time & can be handed down so there's isn't a total loss. There are Chanel bags selling for almost the same price used as was paid when they were brand new. Its not a lifestyle for everyone but if you can afford to, invest in quality luxury items that will stand the test of time. Unfortunately many brands no longer provide quality & encourage consumerism so you have to do your homework.

[@lauragwillim1055]

I agree. You invest in a few chic luxury items that you've really thought out and then you use them for years.

[@Maidaseu]

Like paying 15k for a Rolex watch? Is a Ferrari more cost effective than a regular car? No one purchases luxury items for cost effectiveness it's the opposite. It's about wasting money to prove to others you have the money to waste.

[@CoartneyGrace]

The quality of brands may be changing but the reason luxury brands were able to charge such high prices at their foundings was due to the superior quality of their products. Now many of them are able to use name recognition and marketing so like the two earlier posters said you need to do your research and chose items wisely. If you pay attention to your consuming habits you may find that you have to replace cheap goods more frequently than you would higher quality and so they end up costing more long term

[@rachel-po5rm]

@@MaidaseuRolex actually appreciate in value so that is a good purchase

[@avecplaisirmusic]

These high volume seasonal pieces are not appreciating like they did way back in the day when these brands used to make very small collections.

[@9y2bgy]

As a Korean Canadian who was born in Korea and lived there for 10 years before coming here, I feel quite sad that so many Koreans are like this. 7-8 out of 10 people seem to spend a great deal of money to buy very few things. I can understand if the majority of citizens are rich enough to buy luxury brand - note the word LUXURY - but we know this isn't the case. So how are they coming up with all this money? Debt, or forego buying more necessary things in life. Korea is dying slowly one superficiality at a time.

[@atkim122]

Debt. Also I'm you but grew up in the U.S. There's a term in Korean called soybean paste (dwen-jang) ladies. She who instagrams herself drinking $7 coffees at aesthetic Hongdae cafes while strategically placing her Louis purse on the chair across from her so its captured in the shot. Yet subsists on a dinner of rice and soybean paste stew that she eats by herself in her one room apartment. It's all smoke and mirrors and done for the superficial validation from online strangers. I'm 100% positive there are more introspective, self-aware, low-key Koreans (often in healthier financial standing) living amongst them but to no surprise they're not the ones garnering attention and being stopped for street interviews.

[@user-cnksi223]

It's ridiculous. How can you pretend to know about Korea when you only lived in Korea until your third year of elementary school? 7-80% of people in Korea go into debt to buy luxury goods? It's so ridiculous that it's not even worth replying to. Low-income people in Korea enjoy all of these things, such as security, fast service, infrastructure, medical care, and home heating systems. But are you saying that Koreans cannot buy the necessities of life and spend on luxury goods? From my point of view, a society where people don't wear luxury goods because they are afraid of crime looks more like a dead society.

[@user-cnksi223]

When I was in college, I once left an expensive external hard drive in the school library. And I recognized it after a month. I thought it was stolen because the library doesn't have cctv. But when I went to the library, no one stole it. Also, I've lost my wallet several times, but someone always brought it to the police station to find it. Do you think this society is superficial?

[@AglajaEos]

@@user-cnksi223 I'm not here to criticize Korea as I don't have direct experience of it but uour comments don't make any sense, your logic is completely flawed. What you say has nothing to do with the obsession for flexing luxury and exteriority.

[@user-cnksi223]

@@AglajaEos 1. I refuted this article because it is far from the facts. that's really nonsense 2. The high morality of Koreans cannot be explained if Koreans are really as superficial and materialistic as you say. Even if I leave my laptop worth millions of won in a place without cctv, I don't worry too much about someone stealing it. Did you get my point?

[@NHJDT]

I moved to the united states when I was 7 so although I'm korean, I didn't grown up with new cultural norms. I do not own any luxury brands, I buy normal non-luxury products for my family of 5 so I have enough money to give my dad $3000 allowance per month. I wonder how many of the korean 20s-50 year olds are following the older culture of financially taking care of their parents. We are currently wearing our $10-$50 clothes right now but I was able to bring my family plus my dad to korea for a 2 month trip. We look around and there are alot of well dressed koreans which is great for them. But what will happen to them if they lose their jobs? Instead of fake dressing rich, I am more interested in fake dressing poor. If a person stood next to me, nobody would ever guess that my husband and I are the millionaires next door by looking at our $7 flip flops or our $10 tshirts

[@aphroditesoul]

I loved Korea since childhood but the route its taking right now its kinda scary, everything is becoming so superficial where people aren't separating K-pop and drama standards from reality it's INSANE, i wish the best for the few real people living there they must have a strong mindset.

[@jiminswriter4209]

That is the story a lot of outsiders would like to create, but it is not the reality.

[@user-Geordic]

한국을 걱정 해주셔서 감사합니다. 오히려 한국에는 반대로 돈이 많아도 아끼시는분도 많습니다. 개인적으로 이런것을 항상 서울에서 촬영하다보니 그런것같아요. 저는 울산이라는 동네에 살고있고 집안이 부족함없이 지냈습니다. 아버지는 항상 그러십니다. 사람이 명품이 아닌데 명품을 왜 입냐고 물어보십니다. 저희같은 가정도 많을거 같아요.

[@_.soymilk]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@jiminswriter4209 of course things aren’t exactly the same as media will show, but I’m ngl statistics don’t lie 😅 there’s a reason why foreigners are often shocked by some korean norms

[@jiminswriter4209]

@@_.soymilk And Koreans are shocked when they go overseas and have to worry so much about pickpocketing, crime, etc.

[@SlowDIIV]

​@@_.soymilkIn studies based on statistics, the important thing is the interpretation of these results. The numbers can be manipulated, but even if this is not the case, these results are subject to the bias of each researcher.

[@cesars267]

Here in Canada people don't give a damn about luxury items .

[@풍뎅이-h5b]

Yup fax. As a korean I’m so sick of it.

[@atkim122]

Koreans seem to have a knack for adopting foreign concepts but making it more extra. North Koreans took Marxist ideologies, but rather than becoming Scandinavia, turned their country into a dynastic cult of personality dictatorship . South Koreans took western capitalism and turned it into a Black Mirror episode. Not saying everything they adopted is bad though. Korean Fried Chicken, kpop, and the aesthetically-pleasing cafe culture of Seoul - at least with these they outdid the doers.

[@user-cnksi223]

You're right.. I'm tired of that too But it's also true that, as a Korean, I don't understand the slow pace of work and the lack of enthusiasm and ambition of Canadians. I want to live in Canada when I'm old, but I don't want to live there now when I'm young.

[@cesars267]

@@atkim122 Yeah , I totally agree with you, good point. It is a country I admire, its achievements in tech , rich culture , they have the edge on so many stuff, but this thing they got with beauty standards and luxury items is weird

[@brianle4330]

Idk in Toronto a portion do whether in Yorkville or the neighbourhood I grew up and lived in.

[@C.G-j1p]

The majority and average Koreans are not rich and don’t own luxury items. But just like in every country, there’s rich and poor people and people who buy out of their means. Many people in the US also buy luxury items just to flex even though they don’t have the money for it. Some of the people interviewed here like the woman are clearly rich so they can afford these stuff.

[@vatefairefoutre0]

lol it's Seoul bias. tons of these interviews you see influencers and KZbinrs doing about Korea is all just Seoul based. wish more would go outside and interview non-Seoul Koreans lol. I lived in Busan for 5 years and prefer it way more, people felt slightly less superficial at least hahaha

[@AKu-xs5vg]

This behavior is actually NOT materialism. Materialism would be preferring real leather over fake, or cotton over polyester. AKA actual material differences. Luxury brands are not highly priced because of their material, they're highly priced because of the brandname recognition. So these people are not materialistic, they are status-worshipping.

[@sacragon]

noun: materialism 1. a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values. "they hated the sinful materialism of the wicked city"

[@AKu-xs5vg]

@@sacragon Thanks for agreeing

[@slamer2000]

Hmm, I think you're not using "materialistic" in it the right way. It's being overly concerned with possessions and what not.

[@MsMetastatic]

Incorrect, and someone posted the definition for you as well.

[@justnana452]

could you please film more of “what do you do for a living” in rich areas🥰🥰🥰

[@Maidaseu]

Every answer: I work for Samsung

[@szwniki]

​@@Maidaseudoes working for Samsung pay well? i'm honestly curious because i have no idea 🤔

[@handcream666]

Money talks, wealth whispers

[@yuugen999]

most people here have no idea what you're talking about, but this is the best comment over here

[@rinwesley3092]

Always loved that expression

[@cesars267]

Yeah, totally

[@musterlustre1060]

I’ve seen a woman in Japan wear no brand clothes but had a complete set of the less popular Van cleef and arpel jewelry set while riding the subway. Her bag was stylish but no discernible logo. Her jewelry alone was worth easily 100k usd. Blew my fucken mind!

[@themind2048]

Too much depressing place...my family members came back from there...its too much comparisons in basically everything...

[@地獄龍-m7q]

So did the Japanese in the late 80's and early 90's. Italian and French brands were selling like hot cakes, and young people wearing Swiss watches were driving foreign and domestic luxury cars. Young people at that time probably wanted to show themselves well even if they forced themselves to do so. After 2000, this phenomenon gradually declined. Today, young people are living their own lives. Some people like luxury brands, but it's much less.

[@rinwesley3092]

Proof that Korea is a safe place if you can just casually roll call your drip like that without fear of getting robbed. 😄

Don't bet on it.

[@_CL]

ATTENZIONE PICKPOCKET!!!

[@c.03user65]

Is that all you got from the video?

[@avecplaisirmusic]

Fear of being "ignored and passed over for looking poor" is bigger than the Fear of getting robbed

[@jiminswriter4209]

@Korea is very safe.

[@GotdayumGaming]

Interesting that people say they buy things because they look pretty. Its a lot of things that look pretty, but arent luxury. Is it the luxury fantasy that makes them pretty? What happened if the same items they bought now didnt have the luxury name? Would they still buy it or would they buy something else that has a luxury name?

[@GotdayumGaming]

@drinkalldayy Not sure what point you're trying to make, but im not really knowledgeable with Chinese brand cars. I googled some and some Chinese cars look just as bad as some of the Benz cars and Porsche trucks. Honestly more Benz and Porsches look better than Chinese cars.

[@MsNoi2010]

​@drinkalldayyI love Chinese car good value of money , I love to use the cheap stuff because don't need to take care much if getting old just donate to housekeeping or homeless

[@SaveTheBestForU]

That girl in pink's laugh is hilarious. She's laughing without smiling

[@이름-l2h3j]

그 웃음이 너무 공포스럽습니다. 한국사람이 보기에도 적응이 안되네요 😂

[@yakult71]

I don't envy the person who has the most expensive outfits in the world. but I can't help but be jealous of the person who look over the world deeper with big heart. ( mostly they read more than me ) So I read one more book, feel like satisfied as kinda one step further. Meaningless approach tho. I understand those who are obsessed with luxurious brands. One step further to their happiness and satisfaction. Anyways, let us live on our each way - one step further to each own happiness. Maybe if luxurious brands can lead to even just a tad bit satisfcation, it might be the easiest way to buy the happiness. :->

[@jiminswriter4209]

This video is in Gangnam, a very wealthy part of Korea. He is interviewing a handful of individuals. Not everything can be generalized from such a small sample.

[@OntheplanetVisitor]

Exactly. These are not a majority.

[@protein6197]

I don't even live in Seoul, but there's not one person around me who doesn't have luxury goods, and 3 out of 10 have some Hermes Birkin bags

[@ghadir2389]

I'm sure they are not just a handful of individuals the statistics literally say that South Koreans are the biggest luxury goods consumers in the WORLD and people in the video already confirmed that out of 10 Koreans 8 or 9 of them would have a luxury item.

[@cbs2476]

@@ghadir2389 yeah, this is kind of 'prejudice' confirmed by 'statistics'. All arguments and discussions about it must start from the statistics from the first place either by admitting or refuting it.

[@jiminswriter4209]

@@protein6197 I know people who don’t have any luxury goods. Not everything can be generalized from such a small sample.

[@marysed1870]

Luxury design houses are there to keep the working class just that instead of helping them become wealthy. Instead of investing in the future, they are made to believe having designer items give you clout. The reality is far different and it’s something I wish I had known in my early 20’s.

[@rubiirae]

Just because you buy luxury goods doesn't mean you're not investing for the future. They're not mutually exclusive. But the caveat is how good you are at managing your finance and diversifying your income to withstand inflation and grow your saving for retirement. Sounds like what you should've learn in your early 20's is financial literacy.

[@elbean3320]

The guitarist guy is cute

[@battarabbit8827]

There was a time long ago when clothes were beautiful and didn’t sport the logo of the brand as a necessary value. You knew if a piece had the fit, the fabric, the design it would be by a good designer. But I honestly don’t think it was about cost, primarily. It was about creativity beautiful materials and your own brand of aesthetic. When you say luxury don’t you really mean status? Fashion should make you iconic, not like everyone else. Not even better than anyone else. Unique. You can buy Hermes or Chanel or Alexander McQueen or whatever, but can you wear it well? Can you own it or does it own you? Fashion is art. Materialism is, on some level, mediocrity. It can reduce the beauty of a Rolex if that’s why you’re wearing one. Weird comment. Just thinking out loud. Here’s another thought. The guitar player had more charisma than the others. And you can’t buy that. Unless it’s the guitar…

[@EmmanuelMotelin]

Good thing you have subtitles!

[@kim2127]

여기는 서울 강남 용산이잖아요….연예인이랑 엔터사업이 몰려있고 대통령도 거주할만큼 한국에서 가장 부유한 동네니까 저렇죠. 10명 중에 9명이 명품 가지고있다고? 절대아님ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[@BtheNomad]

So interesting how this is a big part of South Korean culture! I would love to do some of my street-interviews there as well

[@아아-s8r9t]

유튜버님 qna 해주시면 안되요?ㅠㅠ 1 한국 오게 된 이유 2 나이 3 mbti 4 데이트 문화 차이 5 모델이신지 6 옷 잘 입는 법(너무 잘 입으세요🥺) 7 이상형 일단 이정도 생각나네요!

[@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

[@369ladynada]

The most impactful fact I discovered about the mentality that motivates their high standard of external beauty & style is that they actually interpret looking pretty & stylish as being POLITE and well mannered. It’s similar to keeping your house and your front yard well mowed and appealing for the sake of the neighbor’s (and those who pass by) viewing pleasure. Therefore showing up unmade up and dressed carelessly are actually considered rude in Korea. I have heard Koreans commenting how rude (and lazy) it is to not make the necessary effort to look one’s best. It’s a very different mentality where I live. Dressing casually and looking natural are not frowned upon and are promoted where I love. I do enjoy having no pressure to dress up, but of course there’s a downside to everything good: I would get too much stares when I dress very stylish & sophisticated.

[@리레이첼-j1k]

이사람 되게 인터뷰영상 늘상 단편적임,,, 한국은 사치할까?주제두고 브랜드 관심 있는사람들 모아서 인터뷰 보여즈고 결론은 한국은 물질적인거에 집착한다라고 유도함 댓글은 또 한국비판하게 함~현실은 플렉스문화 코인 폭락하고 물가 올라서 젊은층에서 어느정도 사그라들고 조금만 한국 인터넷기사 뒤져도 소비줄이는 단톡방 흥하고 현금챌린지 mz세대에서 유행하면서 돈안쓰려고 도시락도 편의점꺼 소비는다는거 알텐데~~심지어 명품도 사는사람은 사지만 한쪽에선 에코백만 드는사람 수두룩함 맨날 인플루언서 같은 20대만이 한국2030의 모습도 아니고 전부가 아닌데 그냥 조회수 늘릴려고 성의없이 인터뷰 유도하는게 아쉽다

[@Danielwang-b2s]

국뽕아줌마 화난거봐 ㅋㅋ 한국이 명품소비 세계 1위인게 사실인데 뭐가 유도임?

[@valnumjin615]

아지매요 한국이 인구당 성형율 명품소비율 전세계 1위요 ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[@bek9079]

I respected 3 musician guy. He is very great guy.

[@trema12345]

consumerism and insecurities. very sad i feel bad for them as mostly they follow trends/crowd/society to fit in

[@trema12345]

@@tonykim3033 high amount of bullying, plastic surgery, racism, classism, suicide rates, slave contracts, corruption (look at past leaders jail), low birth rate, unemployment issues, long pointless working hours, etc. But they sacrifice for greater good so it's k.

[@hermione5330]

This is really eye opening to watch. However, brands like Chanel have really decreased in quality and one is just paying for engineered luxury, as Tanner Leatherstein said.

[@randompers873]

wow, they have wonderful skin

[@kyle9697]

Its interesting that Korea represents both the best and worst parts of the Sinosphere culture. You have a safe society, well organized cities, disciplined people, but at the same time, extremely hiarchial society, bureaucratic gonvernment; while materialism and lookism are over the roof.

[@aygulmemet4201]

If I gifted my mother a hermes scarf she would yell at me and force me to return it 😂

[@yosefochoarosales3274]

Koreans are really on another level of Consumism and Capitalism. It almost feels like a movie.

[@Momotamo]

I looooove your interviews!!! Thank you!!!!

[@tamim3319]

Jerry bro please drop some insight on your style, you have the best fashion sense. It's stylish but not too over the top or too feminine like certain male fashion trends.

[@Zphora]

It’s strange as people with money in western world who are cultured turn to quality and even chic minimal, they wouldn’t be seen with labels etc. that’s why they said designer brands are marketed for poor people to look rich. Truly Rich people don’t need to impress anyone and labels are tacky.

[@yuugen999]

if you have money to spend on stupid garbage, just give it to charity... A lot of your fellow countrymen could use the help...

[@r_i_v_e_r]

@@yuugen999 And it's their right to buy what they want. The world isn't a fair place, if someone wants money they can work for it.

[@yuugen999]

@@r_i_v_e_r This guy actually thinks poverty is voluntary... It's because of people like you that the world is not as fair as it could be.

[@adamsaciid4919]

​@@yuugen999why they give when they're working hard , what are'u saying is joke bro😂

[@yuugen999]

​@@adamsaciid4919 The only joke here is your mentality, bro

[@2GoodLookin]

Because the most import things to a Korean/most Asians are 1. Money Money Money 2. Beauty 3. What the rest of sociaty thinks about them. 4. Profession 5. Health 6. Family 7. Friends.

[@andrewkang2697]

Not all Koreans are like this, but there are some that do obsess with luxury goods. It all comes down to what you prioritize in life.

[@hanniballecter4874]

자본주의 사회에서 자기가 원하면 사는거다 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 여기 글 써놓은 인간들은 전부 산에서 수행하는 스님인가 ㅋㅋ 하여튼 질투는 엄청하는구만

[@ns-4438]

근데 돈 없는데도 대출 받아가면서 플렉스한는거 만큼 멍청한건 없지

[@gaeiies]

You know there's middle ground between living in the mountains and buying luxury items? Instead of victimizing yourself you should go abroad and see how other people live, you'd discover a whole new world

[@hanniballecter4874]

@@gaeiies그거는 본인의 자유. 너가 얼마나 많이 알고 느꼈는지는 모르겠지만 그냥 놔둬라 ㅋㅋ

[@StarlightAngel948]

Well, it's amazing how stylish korean are! The haircuts and the outfits of all the people in this video are so fancy.

[@cottoncandykawaii2673]

It's the same here in Canada, most of the people I see shopping for high end fashion are Asian's because they are nouveau riche or trying to come across as such even if it puts them into debt

[@emacarvalho7889]

Who cares? If they like it and are happy with it. Having luxury items don’t make you happy but there’s nothing wrong about buying yourself stuff you like as long as you don’t harm nobody

[@slamer2000]

There has to be balance though. What this vid (any many other commenters) are highlighting is that there is an unhealthy obsession with superficiality. This obsession with superficial things in Korea is very toxic and ultimately self destructive. I think the layers of social and economic consequences this toxicity is having and will have, can be studied for many decades to come.

[@nancy2754]

It's a problem when societal pressure comes into play. My friend told me that some people in her younger sister's class get bullied for having an android instead of an iPhone in Korea...they are in middle school. This can definitely be a global thing and does not just apply to Korea, but it's not all harmless.

[@hunmook]

The guy with a white shirt has a very nice voice

[@roarbekah]

As someone who owns some designer pieces (some of which have been passed down from relatives), I’ve noticed that the quality of some brands has gone down and is not the same as they were before. Regardless of whether it’s cheap or not, I do my research before I go about buying something. If I do decide to get something from an expensive brand, its usually very minimal in terms of design, practical, and not for the sake of following trends. I try to get it second hand. That way, I don’t have to pay the full retail price for it and it gives me peace of mind that I will be putting someone’s rarely used item to good use.

[@Dean1000...]

I dont care about luxury items. I care about functionality of items , quality , longevity. Luxury item doesnt mean quality always. I buy regular items and i am satisfied. I dont care what others think .

[@jeremygallardo8096]

These people are in for a rude awakening when they realize that the price of buying these items are not worth the material. For example a Off White leather jacket may cost 2.5k but if you just bought a regular real leather jacket. (Same material) it costs only a fraction of the price. Also the cost of manufacturing and material for these companies are even lower. You can never justify quality to cost past a certain point. It just sounds like these people are coping for the most part. It'd be better if they just said they wanted it buy it because it looks cool

[@grow1820]

I wouldn't say 'obsession' they buy it because they could. People in other country buys it too. So it is okay for black people in America buys gucci, but when korean buys it, it is a obssision? Luxury good are there for people to buy. Some buys it to show off but some buys it because it is not really a high price for them. You know koreans GDP is pretty high. Buying 2000 dollar bag is not really a high price for them.

[@buttercupvanillababe7483]

To be fair,as an Indian ,I would LOVE to own Dior stuff one day, especially their makeup. But putting that aside i dont see the problem if South Korean people like luxury products. But its problematic if you judge someone based on the brands they are using. Especially if i see people living in tiny ass apartments but spending $30000 on branded item. Like where's the balance? Then it shows you're only doing it for the name and show off

[@Maidaseu]

From a marketing perspective I find it interesting how to make people go in debt buying stuff they don't need.

[@juliotancredi7468]

So many people buy luxury goods to resell. It's some kind of investment.

[@TheRougefish]

Korea needs the Marshalls of the Y2K fame... Seriously, I only buy luxury items second hand, and they are perfect!

[@yana112o92]

That cost-effectiveness reason is kinda meh because ideally, you will buy a product that is expensive because it doesn't break or wear-off easily, but if you will buy 10 different bags just because you like it with the same price, let's say a 3k chanel bag, then other 3k fendi, lv, burberry etc, it's not cost effective. It's ridiculous. But they have different perspective so idk.

[@pachysolen]

I don't buy luxury items but I spend a lot in travel. Maybe it gives the same satisfaction with Koreans when they buy luxury goods. 15k USD rolex watch mentioned on the interview was the same amount that I spent for a 1 month trip in Europe last year - coming from a third world country in Southeast Asia, this is a splurge. 😅

[@ykim4628]

same here. :)

[@TonyStark-rw7en]

If I ever travel to Korea, my strategy to meet women will be to just carry around a copy of my credit report indicating I have no debt lmao

[@Nikita-y8s]

Attractive and confident people don't need to rely on luxurious items for their charms.

[@kimberly9181]

Why is no one talking about how pretty the lady in pink is! She give Seo Yea Ji vibes! I would have thought she was in her early thirties oldest even if she had a lot of good skincare and “treatments” I wouldn’t have expected her to be in her 40s! I love her clothes too! She makes me want to buy gentle monster sunglasses, she looks so good in them❤

[@WonchulRyu]

This pink woman is very smart and pretty😊

[@wendyshoowaiching4161]

Like Hermes, they are using crocodile skin. Bags made from crocodile skin in Thailand is way cheaper and they are also hand made.

[@daydreamerz]

I'd bet Koreans have more disposable income because they live with parents well into adulthood. Perhaps the splurge isn't a sacrifice.

[@Valentino016]

Nowdays people spend money on useless products and clothing and then they start to complain about rent when the couldve used the money they spent on useless things for rent. I've seen people do this so many times ☠️

[@mh-do3pe]

It's cause Korea has a serious case of "keeping up with the Joneses" I get it though, they are literally stacked on top of eachother, rows of apartments as far as the eye can see

[@Lilim1011]

Awesome vid as usual! Thank u !!

[@noseefood1943]

Basically superficial and shallow

[@fernandoencisoestrada1013]

My fiancée and I went to South Korea for a vacation and I was honestly surprised seeing all the expensive brands cuz I’m just an individual who does most of my clothes shopping on Amazon when clothes are on deal. Also Ross another cheap option.

[@danielkim7841]

I'm Korean American and at first I thought the Koreans interviewed in this video would be really shallow, but actually all of them really didn't seem shallow. The first lady in the pink, I thought she would be really shallow after all the name brands she had, but she actually seems really business saavy and intelligent especially how she was talking about how you need to buy a few quality pieces that last decades rather than a lot of fast fashion that doesn't last. She does seem really intelligent. I like how she recognizes how unhealthy it is in Korean culture to always try to look perfect and save face in front of others, or "Noon-chee" and how people try to buy things they cannot afford to impress others and how unhealthy it is to live in fear of what others think. However, I really think she buys things because she enjoys fashion, based on her outfit, she does seem like someone who genuinely enjoys fashion and aesthetics. I thought her outfit was really fun and pretty with the pink Barbie-core trend and the fact she showed a little bit of shoulder and sexiness makes her an individual (Korean society is very conservative and you will be called a prostitute if you wear a little bit of a shoulder and is very sex negative lol). The man with the long hair who said he didn't see the benefit of luxury goods made me proud because in Korea there are people who don't care what others think and are individualistic. He did have good style with the long, wavy, surfer/artist style hair and the loose clothing. The man with the tattoos who bought his mom an Hermes scarf, I felt he wasn't shallow, he wanted to give his mom something good and expensive, which every child should, but I think his mom would appreciate the expression of love but say that she only cares about the love behind the scarf, not the price of the scarf. The fact that he has tattoos made me think that he was very individualistic because tattoos are very frowned upon in Korea and there can be discrimination if you have tattoos in getting jobs. But he did look nice with the button down and the preppy sweater on his shoulders. I am glad Koreans are more individualistic and think for themselves and don't support "saving face" and "Noon-chee", it makes me think that Korea can be a creative and independent society like USA or France or Switzerland or Australia lol

[@Luxuriousaddicted]

My most luxury item is my car, $50000, is my car also a luxury item?

[@WorldReserveCurrency]

I don't think the majority of the society buys luxury goods. Maybe more prevalent in Seoul and then you have to further slice that into families that can afford it. But that would be the same anywhere in the world. It's to say in big cities you will have concentrations of people that earn above the median. But it is true 40 years ago, you didn't have a lot of people with money and buying luxury items in general was looked down on from a cultural perspective, that people with luxury goods pursued activities that were not virtuous.

[@oklahoma1232]

LOW self esteem & suicidal is rife !

[@lesliechik3766]

My favourite designer brands are Louis, Bottega, Burberry and Prada. Honestly, Anyone from other countries also love to flex too, not just only Koreans.

[@unity2702]

dripped out as always

[@MJFries]

German people have money but they like more saving than spending.

[@gravenewworld82]

What are the incomes of peole buying $1500 scarves or $15000 rolex? I'd be sick spending that much on jewelry or fashion. If my money isn't invested and making more money it is a waste.

[@Mithra_Vasudev]

( 5:18 ) Omo! He looks like a musician, can I have his IG handle?🙈 I just want to support his work. Nothing else!😁

[@bridgeasian2042]

Luxurious products anyone has are not valuable or countless anymore… it already doesn’t have scarcity value since the time most of people have😮

[@HeLLoW_aNYeoGHaseYO]

5:24 this man littrely need nothing he is expensive himself 😂❤

[@youposdrirat8326]

0:43 korean dude looks like an actor

[@Blade_of_Eternity]

The first guy is so handsome!

[@WhyJ-g5z]

Hmm interesting… People around me who possess luxury items work out early in the morning, work really hard, and earn quite good amount of money. Koreans tend to have high standards, which have both positive and negative effects on life. I think some people want to feel superior by being judgmental and saying Koreans are superficial.

[@williamshevr]

Sad to see them so much perverted by materialism, capitalism and over consumption

[@lajacquelinemjlh]

Being an enterpreneur and in business for decades, I feel I'm being cheated if I buy high luxury items LOL.. Basically we know the cost of materials/goods so being charge for so high prices irrespective of its brand value is unfathomable to me..😅 I'm willing to spend money though on experiences such as travel etc..

[@youssefouahbani6543]

نعيش وضعا مشابها في بعض الدول العربية .. مؤسف حقا ان اجدادنا عاشوا في صحراء ويقتاتون على الجمل واللبن فقط ..بينما احفادهم يضيعون ثروات ضخمة في اشياء ثانوية ..هذا مخجل حقا !! 😢

[@faithfulshadow]

About clothes. What ever look good on me, it fit on me and price is low is perfect 👌🏻… I dont care about brand wn it come to clothes. But I do care about brand wn it come to technology or mobile.

[@christinliu1777]

If you can afford the luxury items and it makes you happy I see nothing wrong with buying/loving or even obsessing over luxury items. You’re not hurting anyone and that’s your priority. I would personally prefer to spend money on traveling, eating at a nice restaurant, and education but I like to treat myself to a nice luxury good here and there. I don’t see how anyone would be justified in to criticizing someone else’s spending choices. It’s not like you’re living in North Korea.

[@ying1296]

Ngl if so many people are wearing certain brands, then those brands have, somewhat, become a commoner’s item, no? Instead of whatever prestige luxury that the brands have marketed themselves as. Thanks for this street interview btw, insightful!

[@seunghanILY]

u guys pity them for starving just to buy a designer item but guys they rlly don’t feel bad about doing that cause even they are happy they don’t get to eat cause they’re afraid of going fat. crazy priorities in life

[@westcoastkidd17]

South Korea is a wonderful country and an absolute success story, but the culture has adopted some of the worst aspects of capitalism. It seems South Korea's society has an obsession with consumerism that's even worse than my beloved USA.