High-Paying Part-Time Jobs Up to 3.75 Million KRW per Month Amid Popularity of Chinese Snack 'Tanghulu'

Traditional Chinese Snack of Sugar-Coated Fruits
Popular Among Korean Teens...Search Volume Soars

As the traditional Chinese snack 'Tanghulu' gains popularity in South Korea, part-time job opportunities at Tanghulu stores are also increasing. There has even been heated debate among netizens over job postings for employees at Tanghulu franchise stores.

On the 31st of last month, a photo of a job posting for a Tanghulu franchise store near Gangnam Station was shared on several online communities. The posting was originally uploaded on the 29th of the same month and has since been closed.

According to the posting, hired employees are required to work 12 hours a day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., six days a week. The monthly salary is 3.75 million KRW. When converted to an hourly wage, it is approximately 13,000 KRW per hour, about 42% higher than the current minimum hourly wage of 9,160 KRW.

Job Posting for Staff at a Tanghulu Specialty Store. [Image Source=Online Community]

However, opinions among netizens differed regarding the wage and hourly rate stated in the posting. Some commented, "The hourly wage is much higher than most part-time jobs," and "If you work hard, you can earn as much as a regular office worker." On the other hand, some argued, "Working 12 hours a day, six days a week, you would earn at least that much no matter what job you do," and "Considering the nature of the food service industry, where you hardly get to sit and rest, the hourly wage is not particularly high given the labor intensity."

Some netizens also pointed out that the high popularity of Tanghulu stores makes the part-timers' work even tougher. One netizen said, "Do you know how busy the Gangnam Station store is? People wait in line for 30 minutes just to buy Tanghulu," adding, "They will be making Tanghulu nonstop for 12 hours without a break."

Traditional Chinese Snack...Gaining Popularity Among Korean Teens Through Word of Mouth

Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese snack made using the fruit of the 'hawthorn tree,' which mainly grows on the Chinese mainland. The hawthorn fruit is round and bright red, coated with syrup made by boiling sugar and starch syrup, then hardened and skewered for eating.

While it was primarily consumed in China in the past, the number of stores selling Tanghulu has recently increased in South Korea as well. A Korean-style Tanghulu made with various fruits such as strawberries, tangerines, and Shine Muscat grapes, using a simple preparation method, has also become noticeable. Thanks to its sweet taste and attractive appearance, it has especially caught the attention of the 10-20 age group.

Number of Stores Multiplied Sixfold in Five Months...Search Volume Increased by 1200%

It is a traditional Chinese snack made by coating various fruit pulps with syrup boiled down from sugar and starch syrup, then solidifying it.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The popularity of Tanghulu appears to be ongoing. Searching for Tanghulu on delivery apps reveals that cafes, franchises, and Chinese restaurants offer Tanghulu.

According to the Food Industry Statistics Information operated by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, Tanghulu and ice Tanghulu were among the most searched frozen and ready-to-eat foods by teenagers in the first half of this year. Additionally, analysis by 'SomeTrend' showed that from June 26 to July 3, the search volume for 'Tanghulu' increased by a staggering 1,288% compared to the same period last year.

The number of franchise stores specializing in Tanghulu is also rapidly increasing. For example, the Tanghulu franchise 'Wangga Tanghulu' has expanded its branches sixfold in the past five months, currently operating over 300 stores nationwide.

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