2m 38s: Lenght

For almost a week，... people have been camping out in front of four SPA stores in Korea，... for a chance to be the first to buy new fashions created as part of a collaboration with a high－end brand. Our Kwon Soa was in the queue... and brings us a glimpse of the fashion craze. It′s 5 a.m. in Myeong－dong， one of Seoul′s main shopping districts. The chilly weather has not stopped these people， who have been in line for days in order to get a hold of their favorite designer items. Those at the very front of the line have been camping out for six days. The reason？ This SPA store is one of roughly 250 shops in 61 countries where Balmain and H＆M launched a collection on Thursday. ″The whole idea is good， because I think fashion is for everyone， and actually it has no barriers with luxury.″ ″Time is money，... but not in this case， as the waiting has paid off，... with these people getting hold of their favorite designer′s items for a fraction of what they would usually have to pay.″ ″This beaded dress required a lot of craftsmanship，... which is why it′s the most expensive item in the store for a price of 480 U.S. dollars.″ The manager says Korea′s collaborations with high－end brands began six years ago... and Koreans are just now showing great interest in the project. In fact， Korean buyers stood in some of the longest lines for the launch worldwide. ″When I came here last year for the Alexander Wang collection，... I went back home because I couldn′t handle the waiting，... but this time I′m not leaving.″ The 21－year－old student added he thought it would be a tough fight. ″I was lucky. I got everything I wanted. I bought a rider jacket， biker jeans， a hoodie.″ What is it about the craze？ Experts say... it has a lot to do with the Korean public′s obsession with high－end brands. ″Buying items by luxury brands is an indicator of a person′s social status in Korea. And the trend is intensifying， as our society is becoming more and more insecure.″ This insecurity，... according to the professor， has been produced， in part， by Korea′s experience of rapid industrial growth followed by a rapid economic slowdown. Kwon Soa， Arirang News.