"Last Year Air Purifiers and Confirmed Patient Masks for Sale" 'Absurd' Active Secondhand Trading

Rapid Growth in Secondhand Market Amid High Inflation
Emergence of Various Unique Items

As the size of the secondhand market is growing recently, unusual products have been posted for sale, attracting attention. In Japan, many posts appeared last year selling air sealed in plastic bags, while in Korea, masks worn by COVID-19 confirmed patients appeared as secondhand items because people could receive their salary without working during the quarantine period after testing positive.

'2022 Air' Sold in Japan

Used air sales post on the Japanese secondhand trading platform Mercari.
[Photo by Mercari page]

Recently, several posts selling plastic bags appeared on a Japanese secondhand trading site. Sellers uploaded photos of plastic bags tied at the opening with air inside, claiming "air from last year is contained." The photos show phrases such as '2022' and 'Air of 2022' written on the bags.

Looking at the posts, the price for the air-filled plastic bags was mostly 2022 yen (about 20,000 KRW), matching the year, and some posts offered them for 22,000 yen (about 210,000 KRW). Netizens reacted with disbelief, but it is reported that such 'air secondhand trading' also occurred in 2019 when the era name changed due to Emperor Naruhito's accession.

'Masks Worn by Confirmed Patients' in Korea

[Photo by Junggonara]

Similar 'absurd items' have also appeared on secondhand trading sites in Korea. In March last year, a seller who identified themselves as a COVID-19 confirmed patient posted a listing selling a mask they had worn, sparking controversy.

The seller attached a photo of the mask and promoted it by saying, "If you wear this mask and take a deep breath, you can get infected with COVID-19 and receive support money without working at home." They priced the 'COVID-positive mask' at 50,000 KRW.

At that time, confirmed COVID-19 patients could receive their salary without working during the quarantine period, and as the Omicron variant spread with milder symptoms, such posts appeared. After concerns about reduced vigilance in quarantine measures spread online, the post was deleted.

Luxury Shopping Bags and Boxes for 'Proof Shots'

[Photo by Pixabay] [Photo by Pixabay]

Shopping bags, product boxes, and cases from luxury brands have also become popular items on secondhand trading platforms. The popularity of accessories rather than the main products is analyzed as 'conspicuous consumption.' It is consumption aimed at taking 'proof shots' to post on social media platforms (SNS).

On secondhand trading platforms, the market price for popular items like Rolex boxes ranges from 200,000 to 300,000 KRW, while shopping bags from brands like Chanel and Herm?s trade for 10,000 to 20,000 KRW.

Used Liquor Bottles for Interior Decoration

[Photo by Pixabay] [Photo by Pixabay]

As time spent at home increased due to COVID-19, more people have sought products for interior decoration through secondhand trading. Among young people, there has been a sharp rise in popularity for unique indoor decorations using champagne and whiskey bottles. Examples include using ceramic whiskey bottles as flower vases or placing lights inside transparent whiskey bottles to create a soft mood lighting effect.

The prices of used bottles vary widely, from as low as 3,000 KRW to as high as 60,000 KRW. In the secondhand market, bottle prices are often influenced by the price of the liquor. Whether the original case is included also affects the price.

'Even This?' Freshly Caught Fish

[Photo by Pixabay] [Photo by Pixabay]

One seller even posted a listing for an 80 cm red sea bream freshly caught by boat fishing. The post included a 'proof shot' proudly showing the fish caught by the seller. Given that the platform certifies location and facilitates direct transactions nearby, such unusual trades seem to be increasing.

Expansion of the Secondhand Market Amid High Inflation Is a Global Phenomenon

According to the distribution industry on the 24th, the size of the domestic secondhand market last year is estimated at about 25 trillion KRW, growing more than sixfold compared to 4 trillion KRW in 2008. A survey conducted by TMON in July last year with 787 customers showed that 65% of them expressed increased interest in secondhand and refurbished products.

The overseas market is also rapidly expanding. The famous French department store Printemps opened a dedicated secondhand luxury space called Second Printemps in September 2021, and high-end department stores abroad such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus in the U.S., and Selfridges in the U.K. have recently started collaborating with platforms that sell secondhand products.

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