In a recent incident highlighting the potential pitfalls of currency confusion, a woman surnamed Xiao from Jiangsu province, China, mistakenly paid 60,000 yuan (approximately US$8,300) for a hotel room on Jeju Island, South Korea. The booking, made through Airbnb on October 13, 2024, was for a one-night stay, with the hotel’s rate listed as 51,944 yuan, alongside additional fees totaling 60,904 yuan. If the price had been listed in Korean won, it would have amounted to only US$37 [106f7a5c]. After realizing her mistake, Xiao sought a refund, which Airbnb initially rejected. However, after multiple complaints, the company later granted the refund as a gesture of goodwill [106f7a5c]. Online reactions to the incident were mixed; some users blamed Xiao for not verifying the price, while others criticized the pricing structure as misleading [106f7a5c]. Legal expert Chen Zhen commented that while consumers typically bear responsibility for currency misunderstandings, they can request contract cancellations if a merchant mislabels prices [106f7a5c]. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance when booking travel accommodations, particularly in foreign currencies, and the potential for significant financial errors stemming from simple misunderstandings.