1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses the recent surge in popularity of banana-flavored milk among foreign visitors, particularly Chinese tourists, at convenience stores in South Korea. It highlights the high demand and rapid sell-out of these products, especially at convenience store locations near major airports and tourist hubs.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 외국인 | oeguggin | foreigner | Foreigners are visiting the convenience stores in large numbers. |
| 중국인 | junggugin | Chinese person | Chinese tour groups have been allowed to enter without a visa. |
| 바나나맛우유 | bananama-seuyu | banana-flavored milk | The banana-flavored milk is filling up the convenience store shelves. |
| 편의점 | pyeonuijjeom | convenience store | The convenience stores are seeing high demand for these products. |
| 많은 | maneun | many, a lot of | There are many foreign customers visiting the convenience stores. |
| 싹쓸이 | ssagssuri | to clear out, to sweep away | The banana-flavored milk is being “swept away” from the shelves. |
| 매일 | maeil | every day | The products are being restocked and sold out every day. |
| 다 팔린다 | da ppalrinda | to be sold out | The products are being sold out completely every day. |
| 입고되다 | ipgodoeda | to be restocked | The products are being restocked daily. |
| 전량 | jeonryang | all, the entire amount | The entire stock of the products is being sold every day. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
온라인 커뮤니티에 외국인이 많이 오는 편의점의 모습이 공유되었습니다. 바나나맛우유와 딸기맛·메로나맛우유 등이 진열대 하나를 통째로 채우고 있는 모습이 포착되었죠.
An image shared on an online community shows the current state of convenience stores that are popular with foreign visitors. Banana-flavored milk, as well as strawberry and melon-flavored milk, are filling up an entire shelf display.
이 제품들은 하루 만에 전량 판매되는 것으로 알려졌습니다. GS25 인천공항T1 서편점 1개 지점에서만 바나나우유가 하루 평균 1,200개씩 팔렸다고 합니다.
It is reported that these products are being sold out completely every day. At a single GS25 convenience store location in the West Terminal 1 of Incheon Airport, banana-flavored milk was selling an average of 1,200 units per day.
중국인 단체 관광객 무비자 입국이 허용됨에 따라 이러한 인기는 더욱 높아질 것으로 보입니다. 특히 중국·일본행 노선이 많은 1여객터미널 탑승동 점포의 판매량이 많았습니다.
With the allowance of visa-free entry for Chinese tour groups, this popularity is expected to increase even further. Stores located in the boarding concourse of Terminal 1, which has many flights to China and Japan, have seen particularly high sales volumes.
CU 편의점 측은 이 음료들이 “매일 입고되며, 매일 전량 판매된다”고 밝혔습니다. 중국인 관광객 특수가 기대되는 서울 명동에서도 실제 외국인 매출이 크게 늘었다고 합니다.
CU convenience stores have stated that these beverages are “restocked daily and sold out completely every day.” In Seoul’s Myeongdong district, which is expected to see a boost from Chinese tourist traffic, foreign sales have indeed increased significantly.
이처럼 편의점에서 바나나맛우유가 인기를 끌고 있는 것은 외국인, 특히 중국인 관광객들의 선호도가 높기 때문인 것으로 보입니다. 편의점 업계는 이러한 수요 증가에 맞춰 제품 공급을 늘리고 있습니다.
The popularity of banana-flavored milk at convenience stores appears to be driven by the high preference of foreigners, especially Chinese tourists. The convenience store industry is increasing product supply to meet this growing demand.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What type of milk products are filling up the convenience store shelves?
- How many units of banana-flavored milk were being sold per day at a single GS25 convenience store location?
- Why is the popularity of these milk products expected to increase further?
- Which convenience store chain stated that the milk products are restocked and sold out completely every day?
- Where have foreign sales increased significantly due to the influx of Chinese tourists?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The surge in demand for banana-flavored milk at convenience stores in South Korea reflects the growing influence of Chinese tourists on the local market. As China has allowed visa-free entry for tour groups, more Chinese visitors are expected to visit popular tourist destinations in South Korea, leading to increased sales of products catering to their preferences.