thrift shopping - what's the big deal?
Two years ago, an internationally popular song called “Thrift Shop” was released by an emerging pop artist, Macklemore. This song was about the convenience of buying clothes at thrift shop stores that sell slightly used clothing for a cheaper price, while mocking those who buy their clothes from expensive brands. It sparked a new craze for thrift shopping in America as people started to upload videos of their findings on Youtube. This fad is now increasing in popularity in Korea too, all because of one TV show.
“Infinity Challenge” is currently one of the most famous and loved TV shows in Korea. On one episode in 2013, Jung Hyung Don, a cast member, and G Dragon, another cast member who is also a world famous K-pop star, visited a thrift shop named Dongmyo, located Hwan Hwak dong, a famous shopping area normally for ages 60 and up. However, after the episode aired, younger generations were introduced to the thrift shop culture. Many were shocked by how one could buy a fine jacket for 5,000 won in a thrift store, while the exact same coat would sell for over 50,000 won in a brand shop. From then on, more teenagers and adults have started to buy their clothes in thrift shops. “You cannot drop the price to whatever you want by arguing that its used clothing,” the Dongmyo shopkeeper said during the interview. “Trying to get the cheapest price can hurt the seller’s ego as well as profit, and hence, kill the deal. When I first started shopping at thrift stores, I bought so many cheap things, but ended up not wearing half the things I bought. So whenever you shop, always focus on what you need, and not what ‘would be cool’ to have.” In any event, one should just enjoy their experience rather than stress out what to buy. Shopping in thrift stores is different from ordinary shopping as one does know what less expensive treasures are waiting, and that is the reason why people cannot stop going to these places. |
BY JUSTIN CHOI AND SHINE LEE
EDITOR YEJUNE PARK DESIGN BY SEAN JS LEE |