[Korean Culture & Language] Buying without an ID card

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The below video is titled ‘신분증 없이 담배 사는 방법,’ which means ‘How to buy cigarettes without an ID card’ 

신분증 refers to an ‘ID card’ or a ‘photo ID’.

없이 means ‘without’

담배 means ‘cigarette’

사는 means ‘to buy’

방법 means way(s)

In the video, a girl claims to be 24 years old and repeatedly asks the cashier for a pack of cigarettes. The cashier tells her that he won’t be able to help her unless she shows him her photo ID. After arguing with him for a while, she finally brings her ID and tells the guy “See? I’m 24”. Only after checking her ID, he lets her buy the cigarettes.

The purpose of the video was to remind the public that there is no ‘신분증 없이 담배 사는 방법(way to buy a cigarette pack without an ID card)’. 

It's interesting to observe, on the other hand, that many Koreans take delight in being asked to present their ID cards. That is because ‘동안(Babyface)’ is such an important aspect of Korean beauty standards. They believe that being asked to show their ID cards means they appear younger than they actually are, almost as if they are teenagers.

The below meme describes how each age category customers react when they are asked to pesent their ID cards.

It reads:

Underage: How dare a part-timer like you request a holy customer like me for my ID?

Grown-ups: Thank you so much, Your Majesty. Here's my photo ID. I can also show you my driver's license if you like.

 

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