Renault Followed by Volvo's 'Claw Hand' Controversy... "Did They Think They Wouldn't Get Caught?" Netizens Criticize

Volvo Group Korea Internal Leak
‘Renault Boycott’ Spreads Among Netizens

Renault Korea, which unveiled the hybrid sports utility vehicle (SUV) 'Grand Koleos' in the domestic market for the first time in four years, has been embroiled in a 'misandry' controversy, while an insider has revealed that a similar incident occurred at Volvo Group Korea, a global construction machinery equipment company.

Volvo Group Korea poster featuring a 'jipgeson' illustration.
[Photo by Online Community]

On the 1st, a post by an employee identified as A, currently working at Volvo Group Korea, was uploaded on the anonymous workplace community Blind. A claimed, "The poster that was posted last month coincidentally features an extremely blatant misandry (anti-male) finger illustration," and shared a photo of the company's promotional poster. Volvo Group Korea is a different affiliate from Volvo Cars, which sells passenger vehicles, and mainly manufactures construction machinery equipment such as excavators and dump trucks.

In the photo disclosed by A, there is an illustration of three people against a blue background. Among them, the person reading a book is holding the book with one hand, while making a 'pinching finger' pose with the other hand, which is referred to as the 'misandry finger.' This 'pinching finger' was found in three out of the four posters. A expressed, "Following last year's Nexon misandry controversy, a misandry issue has also arisen in our company," adding, "It is unclear whether the illustrator is an internal employee or an external agency staff. It is very humiliating and regrettable that such an incident happened in our company."

A's post sparked controversy across various online communities and social networking services (SNS). Netizens who saw the photo responded with comments such as "It's creepy," "Did they think they wouldn't get caught?" "Many people suffer because of those kinds of people," "I can't understand why someone would do that at work," "They are the main culprits ruining the entire company. They must be rooted out," "Why do they show their ideology at work?" and "The actions of some feminists are ruining the company."

'Pinching Finger' Controversy Resurfaces... Renault Korea Boycott Movement Accelerates

In a video uploaded on Renault Korea's official YouTube, employee B is seen making the controversial 'pincer hand' pose.
[Photo by Renault Korea YouTube]

The 'pinching finger' controversy, which has been steadily discussed since 2021, resurfaced on the 27th of last month due to a video uploaded on Renault Korea's official YouTube channel. This is because a female employee, B, at Renault Korea consistently made a similar hand gesture in the video. As of the 1st, the video has been deleted. The problematic hand gesture involves bringing the thumb and index finger close together without fully touching. Male community users claim that this gesture was used as the logo of the now-closed 2017 community 'Megalia' and contains a hateful meaning mocking the size of a specific male body part.

In response, B posted an apology stating, "I sincerely apologize once again to everyone who felt uncomfortable due to the company's recent internal promotional content," and "The company feels deep concern and responsibility regarding the controversy related to the recent internal promotional content." She continued, "Although I was aware that the specific hand gesture was considered a hateful act, I did not realize that the hand gesture expressed in the video I produced could be interpreted in such a way," and bowed her head, saying, "I will be more careful in the future."

A boycott poster of Renault Korea that is trending on online communities. This poster is a parody of the past anti-Japan movement 'Boycott Japan.'
[Photo by Online Community]

Despite B's apology, a boycott movement against Renault Korea is emerging online, mainly among men. Netizen C criticized, "People buy cars based on brand image, so who would buy from a brand that practices misandry?" adding, "I was considering purchasing after seeing the new car and thinking it was okay, but this misandry controversy completely erased any interest."