Received Galaxy Note20 in Taxi... Horn Sounds Instead of Cheers (Summary)

SK Telecom Holds 'Drive-Thru' Pre-Opening Ceremony at Wangsimni Parking Lot
20 SKT Customers Attend via T map Taxi... Respond with Horns to Song Ga-in's Appearance
Invited COVID-19 Heroes Receive Galaxy Note20... "Thank You for Remembering Us"

On the 13th, customers are receiving the Galaxy Note20 at the 'Galaxy Note20 5G Drive-Thru Event' hosted by SK Telecom in the outdoor parking lot of Bitplex in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Twenty taxis lined up one after another in a parking lot of the Wangsimni shopping mall. An SK Telecom customer wearing a mask lowered the rear window of the taxi and extended their hand, and an employee handed over a box containing a Galaxy Note20 and quarantine supplies. A man who received the Mystic Blue Galaxy Note20 held up the smartphone and smiled brightly.

On the 13th, SK Telecom held a drive-thru Galaxy Note20 pre-activation event at the outdoor parking lot of Wangsimni Beatplex, a complex shopping mall in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. About 20 SK Telecom customers took T map taxis that came to their homes and received their pre-ordered 'Galaxy Note20' one day earlier than the official activation date at the parking lot. This was the first time a smartphone activation ceremony was held in a drive-thru format. Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it has become difficult to see long lines on the day of activation in front of retail stores.

Moon Gap-in, head of the Smart Device Division at SK Telecom's MNO Business Unit, said, "We moved away from traditional activation events and, considering COVID-19 and other factors, prepared for a long time to hold the event in a drive-thru format. We wanted to express our gratitude to those who have been supportive during these times." He added, "The Galaxy Note20 is showing pre-order results comparable to its predecessor, and we expect good performance. We are also preparing a service that allows ordering and activation entirely online."

SK Telecom customer Jang Guk-hyun (35), who was invited to the event, said, "The taxi driver came to pick me up in the morning, and I came from Dapsimni. I have been using SK Telecom for over 10 years, previously using the Galaxy S10, and I plan to activate the Galaxy Note20 tomorrow." He added, "I feel a lot from this good event in times like these. I hope more such events will be held so that more people can participate."

At the event, trot singer Song Ga-in and poet Na Tae-ju also performed congratulatory shows. Passengers watching the performance from inside their cars responded with car horn sounds. When Song Ga-in came down from the stage and moved between the lined-up cars, some spectators opened their sunroofs and leaned out to cheer. The singers' songs and car horns filled the parking lot.

Singer Song Ga-in is performing at the 'Galaxy Note20 5G Drive-Thru Event' hosted by SK Telecom on the 13th at the outdoor parking lot of Beatplex in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

SK Telecom gifted Galaxy Note20 devices to heroes who have supported citizens during the COVID-19 situation. The three heroes invited to the event were ▲ Lee Dong-hoon (27), a programmer who developed 'Corona Map' that provides COVID-19 case updates ▲ Kwon Bong-gi (47), a manager at the National Health Insurance Service and the first volunteer at the Daegu screening clinic ▲ Second Lieutenant Lee Hye-min (23), who participated in medical support in Daegu immediately after commissioning as a nursing officer. All three arrived at the venue by riding 'Goyohan M,' a taxi operated by a hearing-impaired driver. SK Telecom model and figure skating queen Kim Yuna personally introduced the Mystic Blue Galaxy Note20 and handed the products to the heroes attending the event.

Second Lieutenant Lee Hye-min said, "I was commissioned as a nursing officer in March and provided medical support for about a month. I am grateful that people still remember. Even after four months, COVID-19 has not ended, and many seniors and medical staff have been dispatched." She added, "Currently, I am caring for general patients at a military hospital, but I feel some regret for not being able to participate in COVID-19 related missions. I have great respect and gratitude for the seniors and medical staff who were dispatched."

On the 13th, Kim Yuna introduced the Galaxy Note20 at the 'Galaxy Note20 5G Drive-Thru Event' hosted by SK Telecom at the outdoor parking lot of Bitplex in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Meanwhile, an analysis of pre-order status on SK Telecom's official online mall T Direct Shop showed that the Galaxy Note20 was highly preferred by men in their 30s and 40s. Men in their 30s and 40s accounted for 40% of the total. Women in their 30s also made up 15%. Among the two models, 80% chose the Ultra model. Pre-orders for the Galaxy Note20 are open until the 13th, pre-activation starts from the 14th, and the official release is on the 21st.

Han Myung-jin, head of SK Telecom's MNO Marketing Group, said, "We prepared an event where Galaxy Note20 pre-order customers could safely receive their products via drive-thru and enjoy performances." He added, "We hope this event will be a small comfort to all citizens, including those working hard to overcome COVID-19."