Why Koreans Love Foreign Brands: A Deep Dive into Korea’s Consumer Culture
South Korea is one of Asia’s most sophisticated consumer markets. While the country is home to powerful domestic companies, foreign brands maintain remarkable influence across multiple sectors — including luxury fashion, automobiles, technology, beauty, and lifestyle goods. To understand why foreign brands perform strongly in Korea, we must examine cultural values, resale markets, and the importance of brand symbolism in everyday life. 1. Imported Cars as Status Symbols Although Korea has globally competitive automakers, imported vehicles continue to grow in popularity. Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz consistently ranks among the top imported car brands in Korea. It represents executive status, safety, and engineering precision. Many Korean professionals associate German vehicles with long-term reliability and prestige. BMW BMW appeals to younger executives and performance-oriented drivers. Sporty design combined with premium branding attracts urban consumers. Tesla Tesla has gained attent...
