Whenever a dish becomes a trend, the result is an inflation of prices to support the increasing demand. Understandably, the high prices of viral foods can be a topic of debate, even amongst K-pop idols.
South Korea often spotlights viral foods, like the Dubai chewy cookie. The reinterpretation of the formerly viral Dubai chocolate has become the subject of interest for many K-pop stars, including IVE’s Jang Wonyoung (아이브 장원영) and EXO’s Baekhyun (엑소 백현). However, the latter is receiving some backlash over his comment about the dessert after trying it.
Through the Bubble fan messaging app, the singer said, “Have you seen my Dubai chewy cookie mukbang? It doesn’t look good. I find it weird. It’s 500 calories for that one small piece!” He continued, “Wouldn’t it be better to eat a cup of ramen instead? And it’s so expensive. It’s the price of one bowl of rice soup. The ingredients to make it don’t seem that expensive.”
For those wondering, the average price of a Dubai chewy cookie in Seoul is KRW6,000 (approximately RM16.45). While Baekhyun’s comment about the price may resonate with some, it didn’t sit well with many netizens. Many argued that it was hypocritical, given the inflated prices of K-pop idol merchandise.
To refute his comments about the Dubai chewy cookie, one online community post even shared the price tag of some of the idol’s merchandise and the estimated cost to produce the items. The post argues that his photocard set, priced at KRW6,000 for three cards, only needs KRW295 (approximately RM0.80) to manufacture.
However, fans also defended the merchandise prices, arguing that there is emotional value to the items. Nevertheless, many agreed that Baekhyun made the careless comment without thinking twice, especially noting how expensive K-pop merchandise can get. What are your thoughts on this?
