With all attention on the ongoing five-day match between Lee Se-dol and Google’s artificial intelligence AlphaGo, sales of Go boards and stones are soaring here especially among young people in their 20s.

According to the nation’s largest online shopping mall Auction on Wednesday, sales of Go products increased 42 percent over the past month compared to the same period last year. 

Especially spending by 20-something consumers surged 81 percent. Until recently, the key consumer group for Go, more widely called “baduk” in Korea, has been elder people in their 50s or 60s.

During the same period, sales among 30-something consumers also increased 30 percent.

One of the hot-selling items is a small-size magnetic Go board and accompanying stones that are lighter to carry and can be played even in a car.

“Over the past week, sales of Go products have increased 50 percent. The heated attention to the upcoming human-versus-AI marches is directly reflected in related sales,” said an Auction spokesperson.

Auction said books for Go starters are also getting popularity. Related sales have increased 25 percent over the past week alone, the company said.

“It is true that people’s interest in Go had weakened in recent years but it is gaining popularity again coupled with the latest retro fever in the retail industry,” he said.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)