South Korean correspondent finds New York prices astronomical, calls home a 'heaven'

A South Korean correspondent stationed in New York City finds the cost of living in Manhattan astonishingly high compared to home. "Mom! Erasers with six pieces in them are 1,000 won!" the correspondent recalls their child exclaiming at a stationery store, a stark contrast to New York prices where a single eraser can cost at least 3,000 won, and some exceed 10,000 won.

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Mom! Erasers with six pieces in them are 1,000 won!

This observation led to a reflection on the appeal of South Korean products to international shoppers. The correspondent felt a sense of pride, similar to what foreign tourists might experience when excited about shopping for cosmetics, food, and stationery in Korea. The affordability is striking, especially considering the high quality of the goods.

Even for New Yorkers with substantial incomes, the prices in Manhattan are steep. A simple meal of Jjajangmyeon for a family of four, without Tangsuyuk, costs at least 120,000 won. Everyday items like a bottle of water can be 6,000 won, an iced coffee 13,000 won, a sandwich 20,000 won, and parking for 30 minutes around 50,000 won. The correspondent notes that Korean product prices are incredibly attractive to consumers in a city where multi-million dollar annual salaries are common and such prices are the norm.

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Even for high earners, such prices are the norm in this city.

The correspondent concludes that Korean products are not only affordable but also of high quality, suggesting that they would sell exceptionally well in New York even at triple the price. This highlights a significant competitive advantage for South Korean goods in the global market.

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Korean product prices are incredibly attractive to consumers.