South Korean comedy veteran Lee Kyung-sil, who recently launched the egg brand Wooaran, is addressing backlash over pricing and the “code 4” stamped on the shells―insisting the brand stands on quality, not the cage code.
Posting a lengthy note on Instagram on the 19th, Lee apologized for failing to fully read consumer sentiment, saying she takes pride in producing high-quality eggs but is sorry for the frustration caused.
Wooaran came under fire after fans noticed the eggs carry a “code 4” (a housing classification) yet sell for around 15,000 won for 30 eggs―more than some animal-welfare eggs labeled code 1 or 2. In major Korean retailers, a 30-pack of code 4 eggs typically runs 4,500-7,000 won, fueling the uproar.
Lee argued the debate has wrongly equated the shell code with quality. “The code reflects the housing environment, not the grade,” she wrote, adding that Wooaran prices are based on HU, or Haugh unit―a widely used freshness index. According to Lee, Wooaran maintains freshness that’s roughly 47% higher than Korea’s standard Grade 1 benchmark.
She also said Wooaran’s price reflects differences in feed and management, not housing. The partner farm, she noted, uses premium ingredients like turmeric and cordyceps in feed and invests in hygiene and disease control to preserve freshness. “Even within code 4, quality can vary widely by farm,” she wrote, hoping the controversy highlights how consumer and producer standards can differ.
“Consumers have focused on housing codes, while Wooaran has prioritized inputs, freshness, and management,” Lee concluded. “It’s not about who’s right―it’s about different benchmarks. We accept the criticism on price, and we’ll protect the quality we feed our own family.”
Wooaran has been sold through a company run by Lee’s son, Son Bo-seung. Following the price controversy, access to some online sales pages has been restricted.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)