Staedtler Pencil, Which Was Used As Weapon In The Glory, Sold Out In Korea Thanks To The Song Hye Kyo Drama

It’s not uncommon for food or fashion and beauty products to go viral after they are featured in Korean dramas.

Remember Squid Game’s Dalgona candy or the Laneige lipsticks Song Hye Keo was seen using in Descendants of the Sun?

The latest product to be having a moment is the iconic blue and black pencil from German stationery brand Staedtler Mars Lumograph.

The humble pencil has become an unlikely fashion accessory after it was featured in K-drama of the moment The Glory. The drama revolves around Moon Dong-Eun (played by Song Hye Kyo), exacting revenge on her high school bullies.

Some spoilers ahead so stop here if you have not watched the second part of The Glory.

In the one of the drama’s most memorable scenes, the drug-addicted artist Lee Sa Ra (played by Kim Hieora) gets into a cat fight with flight attendant Choi Hye Jeong (Cha Joo Young).

Furious, Sa Ra pulls out the pencil that was used to hold up her hair and stabs Hye Jeong in the neck with it.

It was shocking to say the least. The gory scene reminded viewers of Keanu Reeve’s pencil fight scene in John Wick 2, where he killed a thug with a pencil.

According to reports, the pencil, which is commonly used by art students and illustrators, has been flying off the shelves and is now sold out in South Korea.

Netizens were surprised by its sudden popularity, with one quipping: "I have used this pencil for 20 years, but I didn't expect it to go viral in 2023,” while others said they cannot look at the pencil the same way again.

"Now I feel a pain in my neck when I look at a pencil,” commented a fan.

Another “weapon” has also been thrust into the spotlight: the Chivas Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute Scotch whisky.

In another violent scene, queen bully Park Yeon Jin (Lim Ji Yeon) attacks Kim Gun Woo (Son Myeong Oh), whacking his head repeatedly with the whisky bottle. Surprisingly after three smashes, the sturdy bottle doesn't break.

Instead of using an actual bottle of the 62 Gun Salute (pic above, right), the one featured in the drama is modelled after the Royal Salute 38 Year Old Stone of Destiny (left) but with a 62 label.

The more commonly seen Royal Salute on the market are the iconic 21 Year Old Signature Blend, the 32 Year Old Union of the Crown, and the 38 Year Old Stone of Destiny.

The 62 Gun Salute was produced in limited quantities and represents the highest ceremonial honour, reserved for the most significant royal occasions.

Presented in an exquisitely hand-crafted Dartington Crystal decanter, adorned with 24-carat gold and crowned with a cut crystal stopper, the 62 Gun Salute is considered a work of art. Each bottle is estimated to cost around S$5K.

Following The Glory craze, netizens have started peddling their prized bottles online.

One seller even touted its empty bottle of 38 Years Stone of Destiny as a “self-defense” weapon. The price tag? 50,000 won (S$52).

"Easy to grip and smash, suitable for weak women to use for self-defense,” wrote the seller in the caption, adding that it is recommended for crime prevention or defense against “polite or regular jerks”.

Photos: Netflix, Dispatch