"Even the Scent Included"—Why Glutinous Rice Cake Wrappers Were Listed for 50,000 Won

[Financial News] Listings offering the wrappers of popular glutinous rice cakes at high prices have been appearing one after another on secondhand trading platforms. Although they appear to be selling wrapping paper, they are presumed to be a workaround for selling food items that are prohibited from being traded.
According to secondhand trading platforms on the 17th, one seller recently posted that they were "selling the hanji paper left over after eating" and offered four wrappers for 50,000 won. The listing title also included the phrase "(even the scent)."
There was another similar listing. A different seller wrote, "I am selling hanji in a yogurt-peach color," using wording that made the seller's intent difficult to discern at first glance.
When one user asked why the hanji was being sold at such a high price, the seller replied, "It's labor costs because I went to an opening-day sale."
The listings drew mixed reactions from online users. Comments included, "They really pulled off the noise marketing," and "Does it make sense to sell wrapping paper for 50,000 won?"
The listings appear not to have been intended to sell the actual wrappers, but rather to be workaround listings for trading glutinous rice cakes while avoiding sanctions on secondhand trading platforms.
Instead of stating that glutinous rice cakes themselves were being sold, the sellers appear to have posted the listings as if they were trading wrapping paper in an attempt to evade sales restrictions.
Under Karrot Market's rules, glutinous rice cakes are included among prohibited items because it is difficult to accurately verify food-related information, such as the use-by date.
Those caught trading prohibited items may have their access to the platform restricted. If a violation of current law is confirmed, they could also face criminal penalties.


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter