"Myung-poom Complex"

Koreans really like Myung-poom. Myung-poom (명품) is 名品 in Chinese, and it literally means an item that deserves recognition, or an item that demonstrates craftsmanship. It can be applied to anything that fits this definition but usually it refers to designer goods. LV, Hermes, Gucci...

Koreans, men and women alike (though the tendency is more prevalent among women), are crazy about designer bags. Even replicas cost at least 200 dollars if you want to get something that looks pretty authentic. It doesn't matter how much you make in a year; there are so many ways you can get things you can't afford. At one point Koreans had four credit cards on average and nowadays it is very difficult to gain approval for your credit card application (unless you know someone in the banking industry, that is).

I am no exception from liking designer handbags, I'm afraid. I always felt guilty whenever I longed for a Marc Jacobs or Dior bag. Am I that shallow? I wondered.
I'm probably that shallow.
(Un)Fortunately my fetish is largely directed towards shoes, and most of the times designer heels are less expensive than purses.

Naver had an expose' on this Myung-poom addiction and one article listed reasons why people buy ridiculously expensive bags. (And we're talking $2000+ bags, perhaps even $10000.) The writer argued that there are four motivations: the need to feel superior to others, to defend one's reputation, desire to mirror one's ideal self, and desire to conform.

It is a very convincing argument, except I don't really think any of this really applies to me. And I'm not saying my reason for designer handbags is any more justified than those listed above. It is completely pointless in the grand scheme of things, and there is no reason why anyone should spend so much money on what is essentially, let's face it, a piece of leather stitched together.

I just like them because they're beautiful.

I have a strange habit of disliking what everyone else has. That's why I would never purchase an iPhone or an LV bag/wallet. This is somewhat unreasonable especially if there's a good reason why everyone wants it.
Regardless, in the case of designer goods, I don't want to pay $500 for something that every bitch in the city has hanging from their arms. If I'm paying that much, I expect it to be unique.
It's not jealousy either. Whenever I see my friend buying designer handbags without putting too much thought into it, I judge her completely. I'm sure my own friends judge me for my spending atrocities, but hey, it's a free-for-all. I judge, you judge, everyone judges.

Would it be the need to feel superior, or to feel confident before others? Presentation is a quintessential part of being a social animal, no doubt.
But I always think of that one time I went out holding my mom's fake Dior bag. It was a well-made replica, perfect down to the last detail. But it had flashy monograms written all over it and there was a big D hanging from the clasp.
I've never felt more self-conscious.

The general atmosphere of Vancouver is to look down upon people who try to show off what they have. It's the complete opposite in Seoul, but that doesn't mean I feel any better. The reason I feel somewhat confident in this city is that I speak English and Korean fluently, and that I relished the opportunity to learn various subjects that Korean university students don't get to take. Does it matter whether I have a Gucci adorning my arm? Does it bestow some kind of secret knowledge upon me?

My parents always taught me to enjoy what I have but never exceed my limit. They told me there is no need to be too frugal, but to be wasteful is even worse.

To me, bags aren't that different from one another as long as they are sturdy and pretty. The pleasure that a fifty-dollar-bag can bring me is pretty much equal to that brought by a Gucci bag, except I would be able to use the former a lot more often and without having to worry about the weather all the time. (Rain + designer bags = disaster)

Come to think of it I may be even worse than others. I'm the most shallow.
I buy things because they're pretty.