Heresy or True Path? Storming the Rakgurakgu Booth
Sect of demons! Heretics! Fine, let's go. I'll head straight to their lair and see with my own two eyes if these unorthodox fools can actually walk the path of the righteous.
A short time later, we arrived at our destination: an exhibition hall on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province.
[20XX International Furniture Expo - Xth Edition]
"..."
Not a solo Rakgurakgu exhibition, but a full-blown expo? Well, yeah, they wouldn't hold a whole event just for their few new products.
I trudged into the exhibition hall. At the entrance, I picked up a guide map. Scanning the densely packed list of exhibitors, I found Rakgurakgu about midway down in the 'Outdoor Living' section. They had a special booth themed around Rakgurakgu Outdoor. The rest of the Outdoor Living area featured various furniture companies showcasing their outdoor gear too.
Hmph, furniture companies doing outdoor stuff? No sign of any beginner's heart or true roots here.
My inner old-man grump started rearing its head again. Real camping gear has to come from dedicated camping brands to have any authenticity.
Alright, let's see just how impressive these things really are.
With a strange surge of confidence, I pushed through the crowds toward the Rakgurakgu booth.
Along the way to the booth, there were stalls from big-name furniture brands I recognized just from their names. Even the famous ones were touting 'terrace use' or 'camping compatible' labels for their outdoor lines.
I'd planned to ignore them and head straight for Rakgurakgu, but... instincts are a powerful thing.
My feet stopped on their own, and before I knew it, I was checking out products from various brands.
Huh, this chair's frame is powder-coated aluminum?
Hmm... If the price is right, this could be worth buying.
This table's plywood, but the finish is super meticulous... and it's foldable?
I was definitely nitpicking everything critically, but every time I spotted some unexpectedly high quality, my resolve started to waver bit by bit.
Just a few years ago, camping gear from furniture brands was all about 'vibes'—flashy designs with crap durability, basically vaporware.
Has the market changed this much without me noticing?
It had been about three years since I'd built my 'Hangeol-Style Camping Masterpiece' setup. For the industry to evolve this fast in just three years...
Yeah, the companies must've learned. Trendy vibe gear is just a fad; what sells long-term is the real stuff for actual camping.
Hmm, that looks pretty good too. Whoa, a table that folds five ways? And over there—an air mattress but with filling inside?! What is this overtechnology...!
Fifteen minutes after entering the expo, I'd completely forgotten about Rakgurakgu Outdoor. Like a kid in a toy store, my eyes sparkled as I bounced around excitedly, checking out all the new gear.
While I was lost in admiration for all the shiny novelties, I absentmindedly took an eco-bag being handed out at one booth.
Then I saw the massive logo plastered on it, and my steps came to a dead halt.
[RakGu RakGu]
...Ah.
Right. Shit, why did I even come here?
Snapping back to reality, I looked up—and there I was, right in front of the Rakgurakgu booth deep inside the hall.
Ahem, yeah. This is where I was headed all along. Definitely not distracted by all the new camping gear.
Rakgurakgu... Come to think of it, their products aren't bad. Great as folding beds, but for outdoor use... eh.
Not just the bulk, but the materials... They'd soak up moisture fast, the foam inside would get heavy, and lugging it around would suck. Unless they fixed that, no way it's viable for outdoors.
Alright, time to see if it's heresy or a fresh start.
Stepping inside the booth, it felt totally different from their original Rakgurakgu products out front. Still foldable, but with X-crossed legs and noticeably lighter.
Hmm, not just a color swap... internal materials look upgraded too.
I approached a unit and started inspecting the frame, tapping it to check the sound.
...?
This doesn't feel like plain aluminum or steel...
That's when a female staffer who'd been explaining products to someone nearby came over.
"Hello! If you're interested in the product, would it be okay if I gave you a quick rundown?"
"Ah, sure. What's this frame made of, by any chance?"
"Wow, sharp eye! You spotted the frame difference right away. This one's made from duralumin, used even in aircraft manufacturing—super light and tough."
Duralumin... Even premium camping brands rarely use it because it's pricey. Top-grade aluminum alloy for plane fuselages—lightweight with killer rigidity, usually reserved for high-end tent poles.
"Duralumin, huh... So, what's the price range?"
"It's pre-release, but we're aiming for around 100,000 won~."
Gasp, even the price is reasonable. And unlike a basic mesh field cot, this had proper cushy foam padding for real bed comfort.
I had no idea Rakgurakgu had this kind of tech...
"Ah... Got it. Mind if I browse a bit more on my own?"
"Of course~. Just call if you need anything."
Customer service on point too... though that's not the priority right now.
I wandered the Rakgurakgu Outdoor display for a good while. The fabrics caught my eye too.
Not just plain cotton. Mostly nylon at minimum, better ones ripstop, double-stitched...
Ripstop fabric, used in military tents and high-function hiking gear. Tear-resistant and stain-proof.
Finally, I checked the details.
Wide footpads to avoid sinking in dirt, gear pockets on the side too. This is...
This was made by someone who actually gets camping.
Every spec blew past my expectations.
"..."
Yeah, you can't tell just by looking. Time for the ultimate test.
Lying down will reveal the flaws. Specs alone don't make perfection.
Too big for inside a tent, probably meant for relaxing under a tarp, right? Which means balance on uneven ground is key.
I gingerly perched on one of the display beds, then slowly reclined—waist, back, shoulders.
"Ah..."
.....
Shit, is this heaven?
No creaks at all. Rolled side to side—barely any wobble.
Against all expectations, it was rock-solid stable, cradling my waist perfectly in pure comfort.
"Huuuh..."
Stunned, I lay there staring blankly at the ceiling lights for ages.
My narrow-minded preconceptions were crumbling to dust right on top of this heretic's creation.
"Too... good..."
"Heehee, right?"
...?
Gah! A soft, gentle voice from above my head.
It was the nice staffer from earlier. I jolted upright, scrambling off the bed in a panic.
"Oh, you could've kept lying down... You were inspecting so meticulously earlier—do you like camping?"
Ugh, damn it... She saw all that?
"Ah... Y-yeah. I like camping."
Why am I stuttering like this... Sigh, it's not like I got caught doing something embarrassing as a middle schooler.
"Really? Then I recommend this one too... Sorry if I'm wrong, but do you know the YouTube channel 'Camping is Hangeol-Style'?"
"Huh, how did you..."
"I knew it! It is you, right?! Han Areum! Did you see the collab email I sent?!"
"Email... Ah! You're from Rakgurakgu Korea Marketing..."
"Yes! Oh, sorry for the late intro. I'm Choi Sora, marketing team leader for Rakgurakgu Korea."
"Ah, yes... Han Areum here..."
No way—the sweet staffer was the one who sent that email that pissed me off so much...
But why's the team leader manning the floor herself?
"Why's the marketing team leader doing front-line guiding...?"
At my question, Team Leader Choi Sora beamed with pride.
"Heehee, I planned this whole expo myself. Wanted to see customer reactions firsthand."
Her face shone with the genuine passion of someone who loves their work.
"Ah... Honestly, I'm surprised."
"Which part?"
"Truth is... during that live stream, and when I got your email, I wasn't exactly thrilled. Had this bias against camping gear from a furniture company..."
"Heehee, that's understandable."
"But after checking it out—and even lying down—it's the kind of product no conscientious person could call bad."
I'd had my prejudices, but having tried it, Rakgurakgu Outdoor was legitimately good. Promoting solid gear fits my camping philosophy.
As I finished, Team Leader Choi Sora's voice rose with sincere delight.
"I'm so glad you get it! So, about our proposal..."
"Ah, of course I'll consider it positively. But I'm about to sign with an MCN."
"An MCN?"
"Yeah, probably done by end of this week at latest... Sorry I can't commit right away."
"No, no! Just knowing you're open to it is more than enough. Congrats on the contract. Here's my card—please reach out once things wrap up."
I took her business card and we shook hands lightly.
"Seeing the products in person, I get why your email was so confident."
"You bet—the company's put real effort into these. Take your time browsing more, Areum."
With that, Team Leader Choi Sora moved off to help other customers.
I alternated glances between her card in my hand and the Rakgurakgu Outdoor bed I'd just been lounging on.
... Total defeat!
What I'd pegged as a demonic sect was actually a hidden orthodox branch carrying the true path!
But weirdly, I wasn't bummed. My heart was racing, even.
Sign a sponsorship deal, and I'd score tons of free gear, right? A bit mercenary, sure, but who cares? More camping toys to play with.
I was already hyped for the next trip. Tarp pitched at perfect angles, crackling campfire scent wafting... and right in the prime spot under it, this Rakgurakgu Outdoor bed.
A satisfied smile crept across my face unbidden.
Rakgurakgu... sponsorship... When I sign the contract, I'll throw a little tantrum and ask President Kim Manho for a favor.