Controversy Over Remarks by Female College Student Appearing on Galaxy
Video Made Private as Controversy Spreads
iPhone Preference Spreads Among Young Generation
As the preference for iPhones becomes more pronounced among people in their teens and twenties, a university student appearing on the Chungju City YouTube channel shared the cold attitude of young women toward Galaxy phones.
On the 17th, a student identified as A from Konkuk University Glocal Campus appeared on Chungju City's YouTube channel. Kim Seontae, an official at Chungju City Hall, asked A, "Let me ask you something I'm curious about," and inquired, "Is it a bit awkward to use a Galaxy? I'm curious about the atmosphere among university students these days."
In response, A said, "It doesn't matter, but I hope they don't take pictures of me with that phone." A added, "My friend was asked for her number, but the person holding the phone had a Galaxy. She was really embarrassed," and said, "She didn't contact that man," relaying the story.
On the 17th, student A from Konkuk University Glocal Campus appeared on the Chungju City YouTube channel. Seontae Kim, an official at Chungju City Hall, said to A, "I will ask you some questions I'm curious about," and asked, "Is it a bit awkward to use a Galaxy? I'm curious about the atmosphere among college students these days." [Photo by Chungju City YouTube]
When Officer Kim asked, "Did you not contact him because the person who got the number had a Galaxy phone?" A replied, "Yes," and when the host said, "That's too much," A reiterated, "There are really many people like that," expressing a clear preference for iPhone users.
The remarks immediately drew uncomfortable reactions from netizens. Commenters on Chungju City's YouTube channel criticized, saying, "Does using an iPhone mean you're trendy, and using a Galaxy means you're outdated?" "It's surprising to judge people just by their phones," and "Sounds like an iPhone promotional ambassador."
As the controversy grew, Chungju City eventually deleted the video.
Earlier, singer Sung Si-kyung also shared an anecdote on his YouTube channel about being treated like an "ajusshi" (middle-aged man) by young women while using a Galaxy phone, which stirred public opinion.
Sung Si-kyung said, "Young people have the perception that 'of course you should use an iPhone,' and 'Galaxy is an ajusshi's phone,'" adding, "That kid looked at my phone and said, 'That's amazing, can I take a look?'" expressing his bittersweet feelings.
iPhone Preference Becomes Prominent Among Young People
With the official release of the iPhone 15 in South Korea, a preference for iPhones has recently become prominent, especially among the younger generation. [Photo by AFP·Yonhap News]
With the official release of the iPhone 15 in South Korea, the preference for iPhones has become more prominent, especially among young people.
According to the '2023 Smartphone Usage & Brand' survey by Korea Gallup in July, 65% of South Koreans aged 18 to 29 use Apple's iPhone. The proportion of those using Galaxy was only 32%.
In the same survey last year, the iPhone usage rate among this age group was 52%, and Galaxy usage was 44%. In just one year, iPhone usage increased by 13 percentage points, while Galaxy decreased by 12 percentage points, widening the market share gap to 33 percentage points.
The preference for iPhones was especially clear among young women. The survey showed that 71% of women aged 18 to 29 use iPhones.
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