Namdaemun and "Copy Culture"

When exploring Namdaemun for the first time, I immediately noticed the concept of “copy culture”. Louis Vuitton, Coach, and Calvin Klein products were spread throughout market stands, being advertised as high-class, desirable products sold a cheap price. However, these items all share one thing in common: they are copies and fake versions the real brands. These copies are different than the original, true versions because the copies are made with cheaper material and not by the company themselves. Thus, the copies are of lesser quality; for example, while in Italy last summer, my friend was about to purchase a “copy” Coach bag until she noticed that the inside contained poor stitching and overall low quality.

I believe these products are marketed towards two groups of people: the ones who do not understand that they are copies, and people who desire these products but do not have the financial means to buy the real versions of the products. These copies provide a cheaper means of obtaining a seemingly real version of a high-stature product. Much of the reason they items are desired are solely for the image they contain and the reputation they hold. 

While these items are very similar looking, and personally I would have trouble discerning between real and copy versions of the same product, they do signify different statures. Real versions signify great achievement and financial security, along with prosperity in one’s own life. Copies, if gone unnoticed, can convey the same qualities. However, if one if known to own a “copy” product, they can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Overall, copies signify a status of low-finances and deceitfulness. While I do not care whether one owns a real or copy version of a product, others may feel the same way or instead actually criticize the person and lose respect for them.