World · Europe · 1 day ago
Viral Gwangmyeong fish-shaped pastry seller returns to business
A street seller in Cheolsan-dong, Gwangmyeong, South Korea, has drawn attention for looking like actor Cha Eun-woo.
Online attention brought crowds to his pastry stall, where some customers reportedly waited one to two hours for fish-shaped pastries or to see him.
The seller, known online as “Bungeunwoo,” briefly stopped trading after the unexpected crowds and heavy workload became difficult to manage.
He has since resumed selling pastries, initially focusing on red bean and custard fillings because of ingredient supply issues.
He opened a Threads account, which gained 3,400 followers and 1.2 million post views in a day, according to the reports.
He says he received a TV appearance offer, amid speculation about the trot audition show “Mr.
Trot,” but has not confirmed which programme made the offer.
For now, he plans to focus on running the stall rather than singing on television.
The episode shows how online buzz can bring visitors to a small business, though whether that interest lasts depends on customers’ experience of the product and service.
A fish-shaped pastry seller in Gwangmyeong, nicknamed “Gwangmyeong Bungeunwoo” for resembling actor Cha Eun-woo, has resumed business after a brief pause.
Photos and videos of him drew crowds, with some customers waiting one to two hours to buy pastries or see him.
He said the unexpected crowds and other work had caused physical strain, and that he also faced ingredient supply problems.
The seller said he had received a television appearance offer but would focus on selling pastries for now.
He opened a Threads account on October 22, and its posts received 1.2 million views within a day.
- Who
- Lee Jae-jun, the seller, according to Kyunghyang Shinmun; other reports identify him only by his surname.
- What
- He resumed selling fish-shaped pastries after briefly pausing and said he would focus on the business rather than accept a television appearance offer.
- When
- He paused sales on October 18 and resumed on October 19. He opened a Threads account on October 22.
- Where
- Cheolsan-dong, Gwangmyeong City, South Korea.
- Why
- His appearance, said to resemble actor Cha Eun-woo, drew widespread attention and crowds. He cited physical strain and ingredient supply problems for the pause.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The seller temporarily stopped business, citing physical strain from the crowds.
He resumed selling pastries, according to MoneyToday.
He opened a Threads account and greeted followers.
His account had 3,400 followers and its posts had received 1.2 million views.
Reports described his response to speculation about an appearance on a trot audition program.
- Location
- Cheolsan-dong, Gwangmyeong City
- Nickname
- Gwangmyeong Bungeunwoo, a play on “bungeoppang” seller and actor Cha Eun-woo
- Customer waits
- One to two hours, according to reports
- Threads views
- 1.2 million within a day
- Threads followers
- 3,400 within a day
- Sales resumed
- October 19, according to MoneyToday
3 sources
What people are saying
I received only an offer. I should be baking fish-shaped pastries; when would I sing?
I only received an offer. I should be baking fish-shaped pastries; when would I sing?
The desire not to miss a rare experience and the social proof effect of referring to other people’s choices increased the desire to visit.