Selling front-page newspapers with 'LG Victory' headline for 200,000 won... Unexpected 'Newspaper Craze'

Newspapers Sold Out Following LG Twins' First Championship in 29 Years

As the LG Twins reached the top of the Korean Series for the first time in 29 years, fierce competition has erupted among fans to obtain newspapers featuring this news on the front page. Analysts suggest that this phenomenon was especially driven by the younger generation, who seem to perceive newspapers as a kind of fan activity 'goods' (merchandise).

A newspaper featuring the LG Twins' championship news on the front page is being sold at a high price.
[Photo by Naver Cafe 'Junggonara' capture]

On the 13th, the LG Twins claimed two titles: '2023 Korean Series Championship' and '2023 Professional Baseball Regular Season Overall Championship' for the first time in 29 years.

Given the long wait, even a small commemorative item that allows fans to remember the Korean Series victory holds great significance. One such item is the 'newspaper' freshly released by media outlets.

Social media (SNS) and online community sites were flooded with stories of fans embarking on a 'newspaper hunting journey.' Posts such as "I barely got a copy of OO Daily, please contact me if you want to trade," "I went to 15 street vendors and convenience stores in Seoul and barely managed to get a newspaper," and "Thanks to a friend working at a media company, I was able to get a newspaper. I owe it to my journalist friend" appeared one after another.

Winning Newspapers Sold for Up to '200,000 KRW' Premium on Secondhand Trading Sites

A newspaper announcing the LG Twins' championship is being sold at a premium on the secondhand trading site 'Danggeun Market'.
[Photo by Danggeun Market]

The sports newspaper dated the 14th, featuring photos of LG’s victory ceremony, has already sold out at convenience stores and is now being sold at a premium on secondhand trading sites.

On the secondhand trading site 'Junggonara,' as of the 15th, newspapers containing this news are being sold for 5,000 KRW to 30,000 KRW per copy, and when multiple media outlets’ newspapers are bundled together, they are traded for 50,000 KRW to 70,000 KRW. Newspapers with uncreased front-page photos and those containing LG Group advertisements are especially popular.

On the secondhand trading platform 'Danggeun Market,' a post appeared offering four sports newspapers for 200,000 KRW. A seller in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, posted, "Selling 2023 professional baseball Korean Series champion LG Twins newspapers. Selling four sports newspapers including Sports○○ as a bundle," along with photos of the four sports newspapers.

Regarding this reselling behavior, LG Twins fan Mr. A criticized it as "scalpers exploiting fan loyalty for resale profits." He added, "It’s been a long-awaited victory for the LG Twins, but many are trying to seek private gain by taking advantage of this opportunity," and said, "While it’s good that there is popularity, I hope people act conscientiously."

Experts attribute this phenomenon to fans’ pursuit of emotional satisfaction.

Professor Lee Young-ae of the Consumer Studies Department at Incheon University explained to Yonhap News, "In a reality where the younger generation finds it difficult to find special sources of vitality in life, they immerse themselves in goods that consistently bring them joy and find value in them," adding, "(When the team they support wins) fans empathize and willingly express their happiness through purchasing goods."

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