Wait, So… a Giant Abalone Pillow?
You read that right! So, there’s this really cool system in Korea called the ‘Hometown Love Donation Program.’ Basically, you can donate money to a specific city or county you love (even if you don’t live there), and in return, you get a tax credit and a little thank-you gift, usually one of their famous local products. Wando County, located way down in the south, is super famous for its abalone. Instead of just sending donors the actual seafood, they decided to get creative and offer… this masterpiece. It’s a plush cushion and keychain set that looks exactly like a fresh, glistening abalone.
“I Can Almost Smell the Fishy Scent”
When someone who donated posted photos of their abalone cushion online, it went completely viral. And the comments are just golden. People are saying things like, “It’s so realistic I can almost smell the fishy scent,” and “If you fell asleep on that, you’d probably dream you were at the beach.” The cushion is apparently made from a soft microfiber with a super high-resolution print of a real abalone, which is why it looks so ridiculously convincing. I mean, just look at it! They even captured the shimmer on the shell. It’s the perfect mix of weird, funny, and kinda cute.
The Marketing Genius Nobody Saw Coming
Here’s the best part of the story. The company that makes these cushions said that before the viral post, they hadn’t sold a single one since they added it to the gift list back in June. Not ONE! Now, they’re suddenly flooded with orders, and the whole family has to chip in to keep up with the demand. It’s such a hilarious and effective way to promote Wando and its famous seafood. It’s got everyone talking about this small coastal town, all thanks to a squishy sea snail.
Only in Korea, Right?
Honestly, things like this are why I love living here. You just never know what’s going to capture everyone’s attention next. One day it’s a new K-Pop song, the next it’s a cushion that looks like it was just pulled from the ocean. It’s a fun, quirky reminder of how local culture can create something that makes the whole country smile. Who knew a donation gift could become a viral sensation? Now I kinda want one for my apartment, haha!
