As you walk the streets of Seoul... you may have noticed that there are a lot more claw
machines around you.
Yes, those glass boxes inside which is a giant claw that you can operate as they descend
upon a pile of small stuffed animals like these --- it's a hit or a miss.
I obviously have a hit.
Data shows there are now more than 500 claw machine arcades in this country.
And apparently there is a trend or a social phenomenon behind the surge.
Our News Feature tonight with Lee Jiwon.
Ok Jin-seo is a young office worker on her way to meet a friend on her day off.
With a little extra time to spare, she stops by a cosmetics shop, and in no time, her basket
is full.
Surprisingly, though, it all comes to just over 27 U.S. dollars.
That's because most things were priced at about 5 dollars or less.
"I'm very happy right now."
"I come to these stores to shop at least once a week,... not just when there's a product
I need, but also when I get stressed out.
Spending money helps me relieve stress,... because I get to buy what I want.
It's not that much of a burden, because the prices aren't very high,... and I get to bring
home these new products."
Jin-seo is one of a growing number of young people who are spending their loose change
freely in a practice that's becoming more common among people of her generation.
It's even led to a new expression that describes the pattern -- tangjin-jam -- a combination
of the Korean words "to squander" and "fun."
"There are a lot of ways to put tangjin-jam into practice all over Seoul, including trying
your luck at a claw machine like this."
Whether the player is grabbing a prize -- or dropping it -- the machines seem to elicit
verbal expressions from onlookers -- either wistful sighs or outbursts of enthusiasm.
"Although it's almost never possible to get a prize in one go, leading people to spend
more money than they'd intended,... the machines have become popular these days."
In fact, the number of registered claw machine outlets has increased significantly in the
past few months.
The number jumped by about 24-percent in November,... from the year before.
People say they enjoy the game... because it offers a few moments of fun for a small
amount of money.
"It costs me between five and nine dollars to win a prize... and I often play for fun.
Considering the sense of enthusiasm and accomplishment I get from winning prizes, I don't see it
as a waste."
Experts say... that although not winning could lead to frustration, that's not the point.
"During an economic slowdown like this, there isn't much that young people can do for enjoyment
without spending a lot of money.
But these claw machines give them an instant surge of enthusiasm and excitement... for
just a few dollars.
Even if there's a possibility of not winning anything,... the fun people get from these
games is worth the small amount they have to pay."
There are also plenty of other places where people can buy things without spending much
-- such as this retail chain, which is the epitome of tangjin-jam.
It sells tens of thousands of products ranging from kitchen utensils to pet food and cosmetics.
But the real attraction is that most things are priced at less than five thousand Korean
won, or about 4 dollars, each.
And about 85-percent of the chain's sales come from products worth less than 2 dollars.
"Our products are high in quality and low in price,... and we have a wide selection
of goods,... so many young consumers come to shop... and they buy accessories, stationery
and other goods that fulfill their urge to shop, but at a low price."
So even if a customer buys a basketful of goods,... the burden on their wallet isn't
that great.
"I bought about 43 dollars worth of products today.
I come here often because I can shop and buy a variety of products at low prices."
While the spending pattern feels like a trend, some experts say it also reflects the economic
hardships young people are facing.
"Spending money gives people a sense of satisfaction, relieves stress and can be fun,... but with
the economic downturn, including high youth unemployment and rising prices, young people
can't participate.
And so that's what leads them to spend these small amounts of money... to do whatever they
want and fulfill their urge to shop."
Though some may say the practice is wasteful, others have praised young people for finding
their own small forms of happiness.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.
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