Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
KB Kookmin Card cashes in on Pengsoo fever
KB Kookmin Card's new debit cards designed with Pengsoo / Courtesy of KB Kookmin Card
By Park Jae-hyuk
By Park Jae-hyuk
KB Kookmin Card came up with a new debit card design featuring Pengsoo, as an apparent attempt to retake its status as the issuer of the most popular debit card, taking advantage of the popularity of the genderless giant penguin character among young Korean adults.
According to the card firm, Monday, the new debit card features the character's signature greeting pose, “Peng-ha,” meaning “Pengsoo says, 'hi,'” and emoticons of Pengsoo, often abbreviated to “Peng-moticon.”
Customers can choose between “Peng-ha” and the “Peng-moticon” themes for their card.
KB Kookmin Card said the debit card is available until Feb. 16 next year.
“For young customers to display their personalities, we decided to design our debit card with Pengsoo, which is called the President of salaried workers, because of its unconditional popularity with those in their 20s and 30s,” a KB Kookmin Card official said.
“We hope the card becomes the must-have item for our customers who love Pengsoo.”
This is not the first time for the card issuer to collaborate with Pengsoo.
In November, the character appeared in a video clip the card firm made to warn customers about voice phishing.
Industry officials said the Pengsoo card may allow KB Kookmin Card to recoup its stats as the most preferred debit card issuer from Woori Card which won the status last year with its Cookie Check debit card.
KB Kookmin Card failed to resonate with its debit card decorated with the Japanese character “Over Action Rabbit” as it suffered from anti-Japan sentiment that stemmed from the trade feud between Korea and Japan.