H.O.T. Fever Sweeping Beijing

They gave us Confucianism, Buddhism and "Hanja" (Chinese characters), and in return, we are giving them... H.O.T. (High-five Of Teenager).

Korea's most popular teen entertainment group H.O.T. makes its first live appearance in Beijing, China Tuesday, and youth there have been snapping up fashions inspired by the outlandish coordinating costumes the five male dancer/singers wear for their performances. According to the office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in the Chinese capital, H.O.T.'s show has sold-out a 7,000-seat capacity theatre and Beijing boutiques specializing in Korean-made clothing have been enjoying brisk sales. Even items selling at prices which are expensive by Korean standards and astronomical by Chinese have been selling, with boots going for 1,800 yuan (about W223,000) and jeans priced at 800 yuan (W99,000) enjoying popularity. Sales of less costly items such as belts, caps and bags have also been good, according to the local KOTRA office.


(Cha Byung-hak, swany@chosun.com)