Children’s Day, marked last week in South Korea, was a day of grief and sadness across the country in reaction to the death of scores of high school students in the sinking of a ferry last month. Local media reported the cancellation of many planned parties. Stores and street markets reported an unusual absence of customers as consumers apparently felt conspicuous consumption was inappropriate while the search for bodies continued. It’s the same in bars and restaurants. One cabbie told a local newspaper, “Who on earth would go around drinking until 2 or 3 a.m. when the entire nation is in mourning?”
