The official brand store of Pusan National University (PNU), PNU Mall, sells varsity jackets (known as “gwajam”), but they are being overlooked by students. Although student councils, which are responsible for group purchases of these jackets, expected PNU Mall to offer reasonable prices and quality service as it is the university’s official store. They hesitate to use the Mall due to its disadvantages compared to private companies. 

As detailed in Channel PNU’s report on March 7th, a sample survey of 12 student councils found that 10 of them used private companies over PNU Mall for ordering varsity jackets. Around March, when freshmen enroll, a total of 83 departments (as of the 2024 academic year) place group orders for varsity jackets for both freshmen and current students. The estimated total number of orders exceeds 5,251 (based on total number of freshmen). 

PNU allows its official company PNU Mall to hold the license for the university logo and official phrases, produce and sell college jackets annually. Private companies that manufacture PNU varsity jackets must pay a licensing fee of 1,000 won per jacket.

Nevertheless, most student councils still opt for private companies. More than half of the student council presidents interviewed stated that PNU Mall’s jackets were so expensive that they inevitably turned to private companies. The coverage revealed that the average price of jackets from private companies is 42,990 won, whereas PNU Mall sells them for 49,500–55,000 won, a price difference of 6,500–12,000 won. To secure the lowest price from PNU Mall, at least 150 jackets must be ordered, making it nearly impossible for smaller departments to purchase them in the 40,000 won range.

Students have also raised complaints about the quality, fabric options, and customer service of PNU Mall jackets. Compared to the department jackets sold at the PNU Mall, those from private companies have superior quality and service, and offer a wider range of choices such as special fabrics. A student council president, A, who ordered jackets from PNU Mall, said, “Since it holds the official licensing rights for the university’s logo, we decided to order from them. However, their prices are higher than private companies, and the communication process was inconvenient.” Meanwhile, student council president B, who used a private company, said, “After seeing jackets purchased by other student councils from PNU Mall last year, I found no significant quality difference given the price. It would have been better if they had offered more fabric and customization options.”

Although PNU Mall offers an intermediary service to connect students with private companies, the process is complex and time-consuming, leading to low utilization. PNU Student B commented, “Since we take orders from regular admission students in late February and need the jackets ready by mid-March, the timeline is too tight. Even with a licensing fee, private companies remain a budget-friendly option.”

Student council officials hope that PNU Mall, as the university’s official store, will improve its pricing, quality, and services. Je Hyo-Ryeong (Dept. of Philosophy, 22), the former president of the Emergency Planning Committee, said, “With private companies, the physical distance makes it difficult to check samples, and we have to conduct market research ourselves. If PNU Mall improves its pricing and quality, it would benefit all students.” She also noted, “Many students aren’t even aware that they can purchase varsity jackets from PNU Mall, more effective promotion is needed.” Despite multiple attempts to reach out to PNU Mall officials for a comment on this issue, they did not respond.

Reporter Kim So-Young

Translated by Seo Yoo-Jung