[Samsung and SK Hynix Employees in South Korea Spend Performance Bonuses Worth Hundreds of Millions of Won on Houses, Watches, and Luxury Cars] BlockBeats News, June 17 – According to a report by South Korea's *JoongAng Ilbo* on the 17th, due to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix employees receiving performance bonuses worth hundreds of millions of won, demand for housing has surged, with the prices of some apartments rising by 100 million to 200 million won. High-end imported car dealerships are also crowded with employees from semiconductor companies. At an imported car dealership in Bundang District, Seongnam City, a salesperson named Mr. Choi stated: "Recently, the number of customers who appear to be Samsung Electronics employees has increased. Most of them are in their 30s to 40s. Employees from large companies that have discount partnerships with us present their work IDs, and nine out of ten of them are from semiconductor companies." As the peak season approaches, major department stores are also busy preparing to welcome customers. A department store in Bundang District, Seongnam City, will host an event starting on the 23rd of this month, offering Samsung Electronics employees fast-track access to luxury boutiques, parking vouchers, and restaurant discount coupons. Last month, sales at a branch of Shinsegae Department Store in South Korea increased by 16.2% year-on-year, with sales of jewelry and watches rising by 120% and 60%, respectively. During the same period, sales at Hyundai Department Store's Pangyo branch grew by 44.7%, while sales at Lotte Department Store's Dongtan branch increased by 30%. Kim Sang-bong, an economics professor at Hansung University in South Korea, commented: "Semiconductor company employees who have received performance bonuses worth hundreds of millions of won are using internal loans to purchase homes. We can anticipate a ripple effect that will lead to increased consumption of relatively expensive durable goods, such as televisions." [Original Link]