25.11.08.Today News : Gwangjang Market Faces Overpricing Scandal Again as YouTuber Sparks Public Outrage

Gwangjang Market Faces Overpricing Scandal Again as YouTuber Sparks Public Outrage

📍Viral video reignites debate over rudeness and overcharging as vendors and YouTuber exchange rebuttals

Seoul’s Gwangjang Market has once again come under fire for alleged overpricing and rude treatment of customers. A YouTuber with 1.48 million subscribers revealed that he was treated unkindly and overcharged by several vendors, triggering a wave of public criticism, vendor rebuttals, and renewed scrutiny from local authorities.

A video by a YouTuber with 1.48 million subscribers exposing “incivility and price gouging at Gwangjang Market” has sparked controversy, leading to counterarguments from merchants and a rebuttal from the YouTuber.

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🔹 “Four out of five stalls were rude,” says YouTuber, video hits 700K views in hours
The YouTuber behind “Weird Snack Shop” posted a video titled “This Makes Me Never Want to Visit Gwangjang Market Again” on November 4. Known for reviewing traditional markets across Korea, he described multiple unpleasant encounters during his visit.

He claimed that four of the five vendors he visited were rude, and one noodle shop had poor hygiene practices. Later, while ordering sundae (Korean blood sausage), he said he was asked to pay ₩10,000 despite the menu clearly stating ₩8,000. When he questioned it, the vendor snapped, “I mixed it with meat.”

The YouTuber said he never asked for such an addition and decided to leave to avoid further confrontation. He added that he saw several vendors yelling at foreign tourists for no clear reason, expressing concern that “tourists who come to Korea expecting friendly hospitality will leave disappointed.”

The video reached over 700,000 views and nearly 2,000 comments within five hours. Comments criticized the market for “repeated issues without improvement” and warned that “its image among foreigners is deteriorating fast.”

🔹 Vendor claims “He asked to mix meat,” YouTuber counters “That’s false”
In response, the vendor involved told media outlets that the YouTuber had “asked to mix meat” and became angry when told the price. The vendor claimed he eventually accepted ₩8,000.

The YouTuber later issued a public rebuttal, writing, “That statement is not true. The vendor never asked me which menu I wanted, nor did I request meat to be mixed.” He clarified that the dish served was plain sundae, not the ‘assorted’ type mentioned by the vendor. He added, “This isn’t about one stall — it’s about the overall attitude and system of the market. The short-term profit mindset toward tourists is damaging the entire market’s reputation.”

🔹 Longstanding issue with little change despite past promises
Gwangjang Market’s overpricing controversy is nothing new. In 2023, a similar case involving foreign tourists being charged ₩15,000 for a small platter of pancakes caused widespread criticism. The vendor was suspended for ten days, and Seoul City introduced measures such as mandatory price labeling and card payments. However, this latest scandal suggests those reforms have had limited impact.

One Seoul resident commented, “Gwangjang Market should represent Korean culture, not embarrassment. These incidents make tourists think twice about coming here.” Another netizen added, “Honest vendors suffer because of a few who exploit visitors.”

🔹 Seoul City and Jongno District announce full inspection, new ‘Vendor ID System’ coming
In response to the renewed controversy, Seoul City announced a comprehensive inspection of pricing, sanitation, and vendor behavior at Gwangjang Market. Jongno District will also implement a ‘Vendor Identification System,’ which will publicly list vendor names, permits, and stall areas to enhance transparency.

Jongno District Mayor Jung Moon-heon stated, “Gwangjang Market is one of Korea’s most cherished traditional markets. We will restore trust through transparent vendor management and stricter market discipline.”

One-line summary : A popular YouTuber exposed rude behavior and overpricing at Gwangjang Market, sparking disputes with vendors and prompting a full inspection by Seoul authorities.