Korean Job Discussion Forums

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Beer sells for 1500 won a can (or more). That's about the same price as beer in most western countries. Yet, Koreans typically earn less.

Plus, Soju is dirt cheap. It's at least 20% alcohol thus equalling 4 beers and sells for only about 1000 won per bottle.

Given these facts, Korean beer is expensive. Does anybody out there know why?

Let's not get into the price of imported beers. Crying or Very sad

tomwaits · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Location: PC Bong

1500 a beer is pricey. I wonder if it has to do with buying one at a time. In Canada you get "buck beers" and the price per beer is cheaper by the the 24 than the 12---6 being pricier and one at a time the priciest. In the US you get a "suitcase" of 24 cans for under 10 bucks.

I always found that in Korea beer is cheap in bars ---almost as cheap as drinking home (or outside.)

Guess what I'm saying is I DONT KNOW. Wink

tigerbluekitty · Joined: 19 Apr 2007

A lot of things are expensive in Korea. What gets me is that most typical Korean wages are very low, so where does the rest of the profit go to? I'm sure it lines the pockets of some fat, greedy, rich-ass dude - who's too stinking filthy rich for his own good. GRRR!!!

Bottled teas at 1,700 won are an even bigger rip though.

RJjr · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: Turning on a Lamp

jkelly80 · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Location: you boys like mexico?

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Beer = a western thing.

A western thing = Koreans will pay more.

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Wow! Who knows what the story is? Maybe the beer companies are just copying the pricing of beer in other, ahem, developed countries.

The soju VS Beer pricing in Korea is similar to the situation in Japan where a 6 pack of beer can cost you $15, but a cheap bottle of Suntory whisky can cost you $8.

Maybe beer is a status drink in these countries.

PeteJB · Joined: 06 Jul 2007

Ofcourse, then theres how much it costs in bars and restaurants!

michael5799042 · Joined: 16 Jan 2008

I think beer is pretty cheap here. A 650ml bottle is about 1,400 won. It is nowhere near as cheap as sojo, but the barley and hops are probably imported. I don't know what soju is really made from. Maybe after they collect the organics for recycling they ferment it into soju? It would explain the price.

victorology · Joined: 10 Sep 2007

sojourner1 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:18 pm Post subject:

Yes, a 6 pack cans of Korean made Budweiser will set you back a whopping 9600 won. That's close to $10! An Erdinger will set you back 7500 won in Seoul. It's not cheap to enjoy a drink.

billybrobby · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

I think it's lack of competition. OB and Cass are made by the same brand, so it's really just them and Hite. And there may be some tax.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

bangbayed · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Location: Seoul