UPDATE: Daum has a photo slideshow from the store, complete with long lines of people, some carrying iceboxes. It won’t make page 1 of the NYT, and it doesn’t jam up traffic in Gwanghwamun, but if consumers continue to buy, it’ll speak louder than candles ever could.
Here’s something interesting, too — a CBS poll reveals that the number of Koreans who say they won’t eat US beef has decreased dramatically. On May 7, 70.3% of Koreans said they wouldn’t eat US beef, while only 27.4% said they would. By July 1, only 52.8% said they wouldn’t eat US beef, while 43.6% said they would.
ORIGINAL POST: US beef continues to sell well at the three shops offering the stuff, reports Yonhap.
Activists have been holding one-man demonstrations in front of the shops, and will soon engage in neighborhood boycotts. Nonetheless, US beef retailers plan to gradually expand sales of their product to smaller chain stores.
22 Comments
Adam Smith says, “Cheap beef conquers all…”
Isn’t there a remark about how all publicity whether good or bad, is ultimately good advertising? Or something along those lines?
Most of the people I met during my trip to Seoul last week agreed that it is time to stop panicking and see the reality. A couple girls confessed that they became vegetarians, though.
“A couple girls confessed that they became vegetarians, though.”
I think Korean girls should eat more meat.
# 4,
As long as those Korean girls are over 18… okay?
No one mentioned statutory rape except you WangKon. Do you need therapy?
Unless these activists are vegetarians, anti-US to their bone…they are really out of their mind. American beef is cheap and delicious. Can any Ahjinma resist? Ahjinma could careless about this boycott.. At the end Korean consumers win!
Before the Krazy Kow Kandlelight Karnival, during it, and even now, Koreans have been eating U.S. beef nonstop. It comes from the commissaries on the U.S. bases and is sold on the black market in Korea:
“It’s the popular food items like American beef, cheese, vitamins, baby food and California rice that come from the commissaries.”
http://www.stripes.com/article.....chive=true
Here’s an interesting exchange about the protests and black market too:
http://www.topix.com/forum/foo.....ITMBKE92FH
And the final word goes to Mr. Marmot:
http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/.....o-koreans/
I think many, many Koreans are aware that they’re probably eating U.S. beef in their local shiktang but with the penchant to “compartmentalize” in Korea such contradictions are easily reconciled.
Anyway, happy 4th of July to all the migooks at the Hole!
Ahjinma?
Anyway, I’m curious as to the rationale that will be used in retrospect, i.e. after everyone, even cyanide girl, has begun openly eating US beef. My prediction, it will be the usual “feelings” line, just as they shrugged off the 2002 overkill: “We never said we’d never eat US beef. Well, maybe one or two people did. Most of us, we just didn’t like the arrogant way the US was going about it. If the US had just respected our feelings more from the start,” etc, etc.
Anyone know the addresses of the places that are selling American beef? Or better yet, when it will be available at Costco or Emart? I want some.
If the price is right and it tastes good - both of these seem to be a given - plenty of Koreans will buy American beef. Happily.
Most Koreans are sane, it’s just the bat-shit crazy ones, who make a lot of fuss over nothing, that get the attention.
I’ll still buy my nice Australian steaks, I much prefer the leaner Aussie stuff. Saying that though competition is great and hopefully the ludicrous price of beef here will go down a lot. It’s a win win situation for everyone.
First time I ever saw so many korean men in line at a supermarket!
It’s great that the beef is selling well, but, industry-wide, they’re going to need to advertise in order to reach more of the market segment that might buy their product.
With that in mind, I’ve worked a market-reentry slogan that might help out:
U.S. Beef: Would It Kill You To Try Some?
#12, Seems to be the case most of the time, but netizens seem to have a hard time remembering that the number of protesters is still <1% of the population and lump’em all together. Well, happens in many other places too I guess.
I’ve often wondered how life would be here on P.E. if that annoying <1% of humanity were to be magically sent to another galaxy.
…..especially since bloglife made illiteracy and ignorance so easy to disseminate.
Now is the time, comrades - pull all the US beef off the shelves! US diplomats, refuse to sell US beef to Korea!
Think how much fun that would be. They freak out about it, we get them hooked, then BAM! Beefless.
Who wants to be we’d see 100,000 candles burning to protest America’s arrogant refusal to sell Korea its high-quality beef?
“First time I ever saw so many korean men in line at a supermarket!”
You noticed that too? I bet most of them are pro-conservative Koreans who wanted to make a loud and clear point.
Give it five more months, the same candle light loons will be secretly eating the USA beef and pretend that they don’t.
I’ve never seen visiting Koreans not enjoying beef whether they be in Canada or the US. Galbi houses and Solungtang houses are always full to the brim. Not once have I heard anyone being concerned for safety of Korean students and tourists. Not once.
#14:
“U.S. Beef: Would It Kill You To Try Some?”
fabulous slogan! when u make up the t-shirts let me know!
#14-#21… i agree….put me on the shopping list, I’ll take a large….hummm American beef is back ?…make that an extra large…T-shirt.
I’m off to buy a bbq.
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