Counterfeit keychains and dolls surge amid 'bag decorating' trend

The latest trend in customizing bags, known as 'bag 꾸미기' or 'baekggu,' has inadvertently fueled a surge in counterfeit keychains and dolls, according to data from the Incheon Main Customs. From January to June, customs authorities confiscated 136,000 items infringing on intellectual property rights. Strikingly, 106,000 of these, or 77.9%, were dolls and keychains.

This marks a significant shift from previous trends where clothing and bags dominated counterfeit seizures. While the overall volume of counterfeit goods intercepted has declined, the specific category of dolls and keychains has seen a notable increase. In contrast, seizures of clothing dropped by 43,000 items and bags/wallets by 121,000 items compared to the same period last year.

Officials attribute this rise to the growing popularity of 'baekggu' among younger demographics, who adorn their bags with various character keychains. Additionally, the demand for prizes in claw machine arcades and other self-service stores has likely encouraged attempts to smuggle large quantities of counterfeit character merchandise.

Despite the overall decrease in counterfeit seizures, the scale of individual smuggling incidents involving dolls and keychains has become more pronounced. In the first half of the year, only nine cases involving these items were recorded, yet they accounted for over 100,000 confiscated items, averaging more than 11,000 items per case. Recent seizures have continued this trend, with one instance involving 30,000 counterfeit dolls and keychains confiscated at once.