Limited-edition merchandise from a collaboration between singer G-Dragon and McDonald's is drawing strong demand in South Korea and abroad. A cap sold for 12,000 won in Korea has climbed to as much as 60,000 won on secondhand platforms. In Singapore, crowds hunting for the items grew so large that some outlets temporarily restricted entry to manage safety.
McDonald's Singapore began selling the limited-edition items, developed with G-Dragon's fashion label Peaceminusone, at 11 a.m. on the 8th, according to local media including AsiaOne on the 12th. Fans gathered outside stores before sales opened to buy the lineup, which includes a tote bag, a pin set and a cap.
The most sought-after item was a vintage cap. The design reinterprets a 1980s McDonald's uniform cap in the United States and drew attention after G-Dragon wore it in the music video for his song "Too Bad," released last year.
In Singapore, McDonald's membership holders who spent at least 10 Singapore dollars (about 10,400 won) could buy the cap for an additional 9.90 Singapore dollars (about 10,300 won). Sales were limited to 10 designated outlets, each offering 900 units on a first-come, first-served basis.
More than 60 people lined up outside one store from early morning, local media reported. The first person in line had waited since 9 a.m. At the Canberra Plaza outlet, the crowd prompted staff to pull down the store shutters. With the interior packed with customers waiting for food, the outlet briefly restricted entry to manage safety and control the number of people inside, according to reports.
Interest has been just as strong in Korea. McDonald's Korea began selling the Peaceminusone items at outlets nationwide from 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 28. Stores priced the vintage cap at 12,000 won, a shoulder bag at 20,000 won and a pin set at 10,000 won, for a combined 42,000 won.
Purchases were open only to customers who ordered from the menu, with each item limited to one per person. The limited supply, along with the cap's appearance in G-Dragon's music video, fueled demand.
Resales above list price have followed on secondhand markets. Listings offering the collaboration items for 50,000 to 60,000 won appeared on a secondhand platform on the 1st. The 12,000-won vintage cap was listed in the 30,000-won range shortly after launch and now fetches up to 60,000 won. Full sets have sold for more than 100,000 won.
The response reflects a combination of scarcity from the limited release and G-Dragon's brand power. The chance to own a Peaceminusone design at a relatively low price also appears to have spurred buying.