On a freezing January morning in Seoul, Jung Ha-ru stood shivering outside a bakery. She had been there since 8 a.m., all for a chance to snag a Dubai chewy cookie. “I saw it on Reels,” the 17-year-old said. “I had to see what the hype was about.” She wasn’t alone. By 8:55 a.m., the shop had already distributed all 75 waiting tickets to a diverse crowd ranging from students in padded jackets to middle-aged couples and retirees, all united by the same mission. The Dubai chewy cookie — a pistachio cream and kadayif-stuffed pastry wrapped in chewy marshmallow — has become a nationwide obsession, sparking a frenzy that defies logic. Dessert crazes are nothing new in Korea. From honey butter chips to tanghulu, the country has a track record of explosive, short-lived consumption crazes. In each instance, Koreans have shown a relentless dedication to the trend, braving hourslong “open run” lines and scouring the nation for the treats. But the Dubai cookie craze has reached unprecedented heights. Online users even crowdsourced a real-time Dubai chewy cookie map, updating which cafe
(LEAD) (Olympics) S. Korean member Kim Jae-youl elected to IOC Executive Board
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