In this blog post, we explore why excessive packaging around us is more than just a consumer issue, but a mirror that reflects the truth about society and human relationships.
We often feel disappointed when we open a package of cookies and see what’s inside. “I bought nitrogen and got candy as a bonus,” is a humorous remark that reflects how we criticize confectionery companies for overpackaging their products. Overpackaging refers to using more resources and costs than necessary to package an item. This includes packaging food or items in containers that are significantly larger than the product itself or wrapping them in multiple layers when unnecessary. If the contents are much smaller than expected when the package is opened, or if the product itself is disappointing compared to the packaging, this is also considered excessive packaging. This phenomenon goes beyond a one-time disappointment and is increasingly fostering distrust among consumers. As a result, more people are increasingly thinking, “It looks fancy on the outside, but there’s nothing substantial inside.”
Excessive packaging leads to controversy among people and causes various resource and economic issues. However, excessive packaging ultimately reflects our competitive society and its emphasis on appearances, and we are also caught up in this world of excessive packaging. Such phenomena are not limited to products alone. Traces of excessive packaging can be easily found in various situations we encounter in our daily lives.
For example, when the food served at a high-end restaurant feels much smaller than it appears, we are once again confronted with the illusion of excessive packaging. The disappointment caused by flashy services or products is not much different from that of candy packaging. Consumers are forced to judge the quality and quantity of products based solely on their packaging.
Even the same product comes in so many varieties that it is impossible to try each one and choose the one you like. Since consumers cannot see the contents inside the packaging beforehand, they believe that the product inside is exactly as it appears on the packaging. Therefore, people have no choice but to rely on the appearance of the packaging. Due to this consumer tendency, most product manufacturers pay significant attention to product packaging. They focus on developing packaging methods that make products appear abundant in quantity while maintaining quality, ensuring consumers are not overly disappointed when they open the product. Ultimately, in today’s society, packaging serves not only to protect products but also to entice consumers into purchasing them. This allure of packaging is carefully tailored to meet consumers’ expectations.
If packaging is too plain or minimal, it fails to attract consumers’ attention, while overly flashy packaging can instead make consumers doubt the authenticity of the product. Therefore, manufacturers continuously conduct market research and analyze consumer psychology to establish the optimal packaging strategy that strikes this delicate balance. Compared to the minor role of excessive packaging, which merely entices people, the materials used in packaging are overly wasted, imposing significant economic burdens.
Additionally, the amount of packaging waste generated is enormous and has a detrimental impact on the environment. Environmental issues are now more critical than ever, and excessive packaging is often cited as one of the primary culprits. For example, millions of tons of plastic and paper are used and discarded annually for single-use packaging. This goes beyond mere waste management, as it represents a significant issue when considering resource depletion and the environmental impact on our planet. However, the biggest issue is consumer dissatisfaction caused by excessive packaging. In reality, if the product inside the packaging is of lower quality or quantity than expected, consumers often complain. The perception of excessive packaging is so negative that some even use exaggerated expressions like “I was scammed.” Consumers prefer packaging that shows the product as it is. Even the government is strictly regulating companies due to the resource waste and consumer criticism caused by excessive packaging. In one case, a company was fined 3 million won for excessive packaging of Chuseok gifts. However, despite consumer demands and government regulations, manufacturers are still seeking ways to improve the appearance of their products.
This phenomenon reflects the social atmosphere in modern society, where people are increasingly obsessed with appearances. In the society we live in, people are evaluated based on outward factors such as appearance, educational background, grades, and career. Just as we cannot know the contents of a package without opening it, we cannot see the true nature of all people at a glance.
As a result, we find ourselves living in a society where first impressions—the outward appearance—are of utmost importance. We spend our lives studying and working to accumulate academic credentials and career achievements, and we invest significant amounts of money to maintain our physical appearance, all in an effort to over-package ourselves. Despite the fact that this packaging does not reflect our true personalities or thoughts, many people waste countless hours and resources solely on enhancing this superficial facade. Ultimately, these efforts may provide superficial satisfaction, but they often fail to bring about inner growth. In such a societal atmosphere, we constantly find ourselves packaging ourselves to align with others’ perceptions. However, this packaged appearance is temporary, and eventually, our true inner selves will inevitably be revealed. The same applies to human relationships. While initial impressions may be influenced by outward appearances, as time passes, our true selves become evident, and only then can genuine relationships form.
As competition in society becomes increasingly fierce, people believe that they need to make a distinctive first impression in order to survive among the many competitors. This is especially true in places like the workplace or university, where there are a large number of applicants. Since it is impossible to meet everyone individually, interviewers review resumes. In other words, interviewers only see the packaging of people. As a result, we invest a significant amount of time and money into building up our credentials to create this packaging. When people are evaluated based solely on these qualifications, their true nature and flaws are naturally hidden, allowing them to make a good first impression. However, just as overpackaged candy reveals its true contents when unwrapped, an overly emphasized first impression also reveals a person’s true nature when stripped away. People become fixated on external factors such as academic background or work experience. As a result, they fail to realize that what truly matters for social success is the inner qualities like humanity and social skills that aren’t immediately visible. Unfortunately, the time we spend studying in life is often more about achieving test scores or academic credentials that we can show off, rather than developing our own psychology. However, even these facades can be stripped away, revealing one’s true nature and personality, which cannot be hidden by test scores or academic credentials. Ultimately, the content that packaging cannot reflect—such as social skills or communication abilities—becomes visible. These internal factors play a crucial role in social life and leave a deeper impression than superficial appearances. For example, skills like teamwork or problem-solving ability are not evident through simple credentials or appearance but hold significant value in real-life situations.
We can use packaging to express the ideal versions of ourselves that we desire. Just as candy companies can package their products to make them appear more abundant, we can package ourselves to appear more capable or more accomplished than we actually are. However, everything hidden beneath the excessive packaging is revealed once the wrapping is removed, often leading to disappointment. Wouldn’t it be better to fill ourselves with substance and confidently show our true selves from the start? We must not forget that true value lies not in the packaging but in what is contained within. Therefore, we should pursue inner growth and authenticity rather than relying solely on outward appearances. This approach is the path to a healthier society.
