By Wonsuh Song
Recently, Korean comedian Lee Su-ji has been captivating social media and video platforms with parodies involving luxury goods. Adorned from head to toe in brands like Hermès and Van Cleef & Arpels, she playfully exaggerates a scenario that is both comical on the surface yet pointedly critical of our society’s fixation on “luxury.” Although her antics elicit laughter, these skits also carry a more serious message about why we crave high-end brands—and, at times, even settle for counterfeits to display them.
The paradox of flaunting a “fake luxury” product, while fully aware it is not the real deal, offers much to ponder. Deceiving other people is one issue, but perhaps the bigger problem is that it also entails deceiving oneself. It’s an attempt to derive satisfaction from what is ultimately a falsehood—a form of self-deception and a misrepresentation that cheapens the genuine value of luxury items.
True luxury, after all, represents more than just a hefty price tag. Anyone who has made an official in-store purchase knows firsthand the special experience that comes with it: expert staff offering personalized service, a refined store atmosphere that highlights the brand’s heritage, and meticulous post-purchase support. You’re not just buying a product; you’re also investing in the unique experience and tradition that the brand has cultivated.
This is why genuine luxury goods reveal their full worth only when they are authentic. Whether it’s for a momentous occasion or a treasured milestone, owning a real luxury item can bring a form of satisfaction that can’t be replicated by anything else. Yes, these products require a substantial financial commitment, and one must carefully choose items that will hold their appeal over time. But this very process of discernment enhances the intrinsic worth of luxury goods.
Critics often ask, “Why pay thousands of dollars for a bag whose material cost is a fraction of its retail price?” However, those who have truly experienced luxury understand that the value extends far beyond raw materials. It includes the emotional resonance, the memories tied to a special purchase, enduring craftsmanship, and dedicated service. A watch that remains captivating even after twenty years, a bag that evokes the thrill of the day it was bought, or a piece of jewelry that calls to mind life’s most precious moments—these are qualities no counterfeit can imitate.
Ultimately, true luxury must be “a genuine item that holds personal significance.” To masquerade with a counterfeit not only misleads others but also undermines what luxury fundamentally stands for. A luxury good can serve as a meaningful reminder of life’s special occasions and, because of its enduring quality, often represents a solid investment. Thus, “owning the real thing” transcends mere cost. It carries a value impossible to measure in dollars, and fosters an attachment that can endure for decades. This timeless appreciation, in the end, is what sets genuine luxury apart.
Wonsuh Song (Ph.D.)
Full-time Lecturer, Shumei University / NKNGO Forum Representative
댓글 남기기