(123rf)
(123rf)

It may not be the merriest holiday season in South Korea — with impeachment drama and economic woes taking center stage — but Santa Claus isn’t skipping town.

Karrot, South Korea’s top app for buying and selling secondhand items, has revealed some surprising Christmas Eve trends: searches for part-time Santa gigs have doubled compared to last year, and job postings for festive gift-givers are also on the rise.

“A lot of people are jumping on holiday side gigs or sharing ideas to spread Christmas cheer on the app,” a Karrot official shared.

One user in Jangji-dong, Seoul, posted, “Looking for someone to play Santa around 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve. My kids are graduating elementary school soon, so this will be their last Santa experience. It'll only take 5–10 minutes — handing out presents and saying a few wise words like ‘Don’t fight and listen to your parents.’”

The post noted a preference for older men to play the part.

In Mapo-gu, Seoul, another user offered their services as Santa for 30,000 won ($20.67).

“I have a Santa costume. Prepare a gift for your child, tell me their name, and let me know what you’d like Santa to encourage them to do. I’ll make it happen.”

The app isn’t just about Santas, either. The holiday spirit is also buzzing with a contest inviting users to share photos of their neighborhood holiday decorations.


ssh@heraldcorp.com