For the 'Honseoljok' Who Don't Return Home... Convenience Store Industry Launches 'Holiday Lunchboxes'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Convenience store chains have introduced various products for the so-called 'Honsoljok' who spend the Lunar New Year holiday alone due to reasons such as studies or employment.

GS25 launched the 'Jeongseonggadeuk 12-chan Dosirak,' a holiday meal set for the 'Honsoljok.' The lunchbox, consisting of seasoned pork stew, grilled short rib patties, five-flavored skewers, pollack pancakes, and round meat patties, evokes the image of a full holiday table where the whole family gathers during the Lunar New Year.

CU, in collaboration with CJ CheilJedang, released the 'Daewang Spam Dosirak,' utilizing 'Spam,' the most preferred lunchbox side dish among young people. The Spam in the Daewang Spam rice bowl lunchbox measures 8.5 cm in width and 17.5 cm in length, occupying about 70% of the entire lunchbox area.

According to CU, Spam sales during the holiday period have steadily recorded double-digit growth rates over the past three years: 12.1% in 2017, 29.8% in 2018, and 15.6% in 2019 compared to the previous year. Among these, Spam gift sets are known to be very popular, accounting for about 60% of the annual total sales during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays.

Seven Eleven launched a total of four convenient meal types: 'Hansang Dosirak,' 'Sagol Wang Mandu Han Geureut,' 'Osaek Japchae,' and 'Soban Sagol Tteokguk.' All are holiday foods that evoke the festive atmosphere. In particular, 'Soban Sagol Tteokguk,' released by Shinsegae Food, offers a freshly boiled tteokguk taste with abundant toppings such as green onions, egg garnish, seaweed, and beef flakes to help customers feel the Lunar New Year mood.

Emart24's sales of lunchboxes and other convenient foods during the Lunar New Year holidays have continuously increased over the past three years, with 46.3% growth in 2018 and 48.8% in 2019. By commercial district, sales were highest at stores in general residential areas, followed by single-person residential areas, which is interpreted as an increase in convenience store use by those who did not prepare holiday food in time or who spend the holiday alone.

Meanwhile, a survey found that half of adult men and women will not visit their hometowns during this Lunar New Year holiday. According to the job search application 'Albacall,' when 1,523 adult men and women were asked about their plans to return home this Lunar New Year, 50.6% intended to return, while 49.4% did not.

Among the reasons for not returning home, 27.1% of university students and job seekers cited job hunting preparation. Among office workers, 24.3% responded that they do not visit their hometowns due to personal maintenance and rest.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.