[NEWS IN FOCUS] Samsung, LG roll up their sleeves for a washer-dryer war

Samsung's new washer-dryer, the Bespoke AI Combo, targets the 70 percent of Korean households that still don't have a dryer in their homes. Its condensed size and various AI features will appeal to the households of singles, newlyweds and older adults, according to Lee Moo-hyung, executive vice president at Samsung Electronics in charge of customer experience team of digital digital appliances, during a briefing on Monday. Related Article LG unveils Korea's first washer-dryer combo with heat pump [CES 2024] Ballie vs. Q9: Samsung and LG unveil AI home robots Its 3.9 million won price has been set to match the cost of buying a stand-alone washer and a dryer — despite the fact that the new product comes with more advanced technology three years in the making. “Our goal was to make a washer-dryer combo that doesn't compromise function in any way just because it was a combined version,” said Lee. “Only 30 percent of Korean households had dryers in their homes last year because of space issues. We are aiming for that other 70 percent with this product. I expect the market to grow by 20 to 30 percent.” Stakes are high with the Bespoke AI Combo. Samsung is set to launch the product in the United States this month, followed by rollouts in Southeast Asia and Europe within the second quarter as well. The three-year development period largely derives from its ambition to realize a drying function on par with that of a stand-alone machine. “This combo type has been around for more than 10 years, but since it was a heating type back then, the damage to clothing and insufficient drying have lead people to go back to separate products,” Lee said. Samsung Electronics utilizes heat pump style to dry the clothes, in which refrigerant absorbs the water from clothes in a not-so-hot environment, aiming both to prevent damage and save energy. The device comes with a 7-inch screen powered by Samsung's Tizen operating system, which can be connected to Samsung products including smartphones. A user can answer calls through the screen, Samsung says, as well as watch videos. The appliance also activates upon hearing the phrase “Hi Bixby.” The initial market response toward Bespoke AI Combo is strong. The product has sold more than 3,000 units since launching sales on February 23. Samsung Electronics is engaged in a fierce battle with LG Electronics to take an early lead in the fledgling washer-dryer segment. Just a day before Samsung's launch, LG Electronics announced its top-of-the-line Signature Washer & Dryer combo with a 6.9 million won price tag. Powered by AI chip DQ-C, the combo controls both washing and drying modes by detecting the texture and weight of clothes. It also utilizes heat pump drying technology. A 4-kilogram (8.8-pound) mini washer on the bottom of the appliance handles delicate clothes. Samsung's product uses that space for a storage drawer. “The Signature Washer & Dryer combo is a top-of-the-line product that differentiates in every aspect including material, design and so on,” said an LG Electronics spokesman. LG Electronics plans to roll out a midrange version of that product in April. Exact pricing hasn't yet been confirmed, but market observers expect it to be in the 4 million won range. Samsung has also hinted that it intends to expand its lineup to different price ranges. BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]samsung lg washer dryer combo bespoke ai combo signature

2024-03-11

[NEWS IN FOCUS] BYD's debut in Korea to keep Hyundai, Tesla on their toes

BYD, the world’s No. 1 EV maker, is gearing up to make its debut in Korea, threatening local manufacturers with its cheap vehicles. The biggest Chinese automaker is currently preparing for the certification process for its EVs through the Environment Ministry which assesses mileage and battery safety among other criteria. The process normally takes two or three months, which implies that the official debut may come as early as the third quarter. Related Article [EXCLUSIVE] Hyundai to launch Ioniq 9 in December Just one Tesla sold in Korea this year as gov't targets Chinese batteries China outpaces Korea in hydrogen vehicle market It comes after the Shenzhen-based automaker registered trademarks for six models in Korea last year, including the Seal sedan, the Dolphin small SUV, and the Atto mid-size SUV. Local reports suggest that the first model to hit the Korean market will likely be the Atto, though the company has not confirmed any details. “We are actively reviewing our entry into the Korean market,” a spokesperson for BYD Korea said, “but no details, such as models and timing, have been confirmed.” BYD’s debut will likely shake up the domestic EV market, which is currently dominated by a few brands including Hyundai Motor and Tesla, as the Chinese company's lineup comes with much cheaper price tags. The cars use lithium iron phosphate batteries, known to be around 30 percent cheaper than the nickel cobalt manganese batteries with which Korean companies have a firmer standing. BYD’s entry into the Korean passenger EV market will undoubtedly pose a threat to Hyundai, which has been seeing a constant decline in sales. It sold a total of 60,592 EVs in Korea last year, down 13.9 percent on year. Sales of its Ioniq 5s fell 39.4 percent on year, while those of the Ioniq 6s dropped by 17.8 percent on year. The Atto 3, first introduced in China in 2022, is one of BYD's major models, with more than 500,000 units sold globally so far. BYD has far outpaced Hyundai in the Japanese market since entering the country in 2022, selling 1,511 EVs last year compared to Hyundai's mere 492 units. The price was the key determinant in the destiny of the two companies there. The sticker price of the Atto 3 has been set at around 4.4 million yen, or roughly $29,400, around $7,500 cheaper than Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and Kia's EV5 despite possessing a similar range of some 400 kilometers (111 miles) per single charge, according to WLTP standards. The Atto 3 is expected to be introduced at a price in the high-30 million-won (high-$20,000) range in Korea with a government subsidy included. The price of the Ioniq 5 starts around the mid-40 million-won range. “The poor quality of Chinese EVs is still a concern, but if prices are shockingly cheap, why not?” a comment in an online community of EV owners in Korea read. Since opening its Korea office in 2016, BYD has already dominated Korea’s electric commercial vehicle market. It sold a total of 439 electric buses, becoming the No. 1 Chinese brand here. BYD’s e-Bus 12 runs for 503 kilometers per single charge compared to the Hyundai Elec City’s 420 kilometers, and is around 100 million won cheaper than the Elec City. “BYD’s entry into the Korean market implies that it wants to use the country as a test bed to burnish its awareness before entering bigger markets like the United States and Europe,” said Kim Pil-soo, an automotive technology professor at Daelim University College who also serves as the chairperson of the Korea Electric Vehicle Association. “China’s brands are often shunned by customers for their low quality, but they are chasing quickly to improve the quality and rebrand themselves.” BYD is the world’s largest EV maker with 20.5 percent of the market as of last year, beating Tesla with 12.9 percent, according to SNE Research. BYD in December said it will build a factory in Hungary, the first time a Chinese EV maker will have plant in Europe. It is also considering one in Mexico. BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]korea byd tesla hyundai byd's atto atto seal

2024-03-02

[NEWS IN FOCUS] AliExpress clinches Korean market

China has clinched the top spot in Korea's overseas direct purchasing market, toppling the United States for the first time since 2014. This surge is owed to the relentless expansion of Chinese online shopping juggernauts like AliExpress and Temu. AliExpress, in particular, made inroads into the domestic market in 2018 with its budget-friendly products and free five-day shipping. It recently created a dedicated section for Korean items with zero sales fee, successfully attracting major Korean household goods producers such as LG Household & Health Care and Aekyung Industrial. Related Article Chinese giant AliExpress boosts Korean delivery amid domestic retail squeeze AliExpress takes fight to counterfeit goods infiltrating Korean market Trade imbalance widens as Koreans turn to Chinese e-commerce As Chinese e-commerce firms intensify their efforts, domestic counterparts like Naver Shopping, Gmarket, 11Street, and Coupang are on high alert. There are concerns that a slowdown among local sellers could impact the sales and transaction volumes of their open market platforms, which constitute a substantial portion of their overall revenue. Ultralow cost, free shipping, free returns AliExpress announced Wednesday that it is openly recruiting Korean sellers for its segment dubbed “K-Venue.” The move underscores the platform's efforts to attract not only established brands, but also smaller businesses. K-Venue, launched last October, is a tab dedicated to selling Korean products. It offers free shipping and returns, ensuring delivery across the nation in just under three days. The shopping tab had attracted more than 20 companies as of the end of January, featuring prominent names like LG Household & Health Care along with food and beverage giants like Lotte Chilsung Beverage and Samdasoo. The spike in entries is fueled by AliExpress' enticing incentives for Korean sellers, including exemptions from listings and sales commissions — which usually are about 10 percent of sales on other platforms like Coupang and Gmarket — through the end of March. “For platforms like ours, offering a diverse range of brands to customers is crucial,” said a Gmarket official. “We're especially mindful of AliExpress' strategies [like not levying sales commissions], which could lure away Korean sellers.” AliExpress also encourages sellers to participate in its major sales events, such as the 'Double-11' in November and the 'Anniversary Sale' in March, offering opportunities for revenue expansion. China overtakes U.S. in global shopping spree Amid economic downturn, Chinese shopping apps armed with ultralow prices have tapped into Korea's subdued consumer sentiment, establishing a robust growth foundation. Park Jin-ah, a 27-year-old teacher residing in Seoul, is a frequent shopper on AliExpress, often purchasing phone accessories. “I often buy items like iPhone cases, plastic bags and organizers from AliExpress because they are much cheaper than in Korea, and the quality is not bad," said Park. "Even if I receive unsatisfactory products, I don't feel like I've wasted money, because the prices are so low." According to data from Statistics Korea, online overseas direct purchases increased by 26.9 percent last year, totaling 6.8 trillion won ($5.1 billion). Of them, Chinese overseas direct purchases surged by 121.2 percent, reaching 3.9 trillion won, topping the spot for the first time. AliExpress emerged as the app with the highest surge in domestic users last year, per a report from market trackers Wise App, Retail and Goods, with an average monthly growth of 3.71 million users from January through November of last year. Temu, another Chinese e-commerce platform, secured the second spot. AliExpress currently holds the third position among shopping apps in Korea, with more than 7.17 million monthly active users, trailing behind Coupang and 11Street. Chinese e-commerce platforms have expanded their user base through aggressive marketing strategies, with AliExpress announcing a 100 billion won investment in the Korean market and exploring possibility of establishing a logistics hub in Korea this year in partnership with CJ Logistics, the nation's largest logistics firm. “From a market standpoint, the Korean e-commerce landscape is fiercely competitive, with no single dominant player,” Han Song-yi, senior manager at AliExpress Korea, said at a press conference on Dec. 6. Tilted playing field Local e-commerce players in Korea view the rapid expansion of Chinese e-commerce platforms, now extending their reach to Korean sellers, as a “formidable threat.” “The aggressive penetration strategies of Chinese counterparts, backed by the financial muscle, ... not only undermine domestic competitors but also deliver a substantial blow to small businesses, particularly due to their unbeatable pricing strategies,” said an official from a Korean e-commerce platform, who requested for anonymity. There are also concerns about bias in the government's push for the Platform Competition Promotion Act, which could disproportionately target domestic businesses. Related Article FTC determined to regulate digital plaforms despite industry backlash U.S. Chamber of Commerce slams Korea's antitrust regulations Big Tech, local giants brace for Korea's major antitrust clampdown The crux of the law revolves around identifying dominant players based on metrics like revenue, market share and user numbers, with the intention of preemptively regulating them. However, it is proving challenging for the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) to accurately assess the revenue generated by overseas businesses operating within Korea's borders. “While the FTC maintains that the platform law applies universally, both to domestic and foreign enterprises, data of foreign platforms is undisclosed in Korea, posing obstacles for effective regulation enforcement,” the Korean platform operator official said. BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]Korea China AliExpress ecommerce platform Coupang 11Street Gmarket

2024-02-09

[NEWS IN FOCUS] Why Hyundai is mulling a $3 billion IPO in India

Hyundai Motor's expected launch of a $3 billion initial public offering (IPO) in India underscores its robust confidence in the market and its attempt to eye the Southeast Asian country as a new manufacturing hub to replace China and Russia.

2024-02-07

[NEWS IN FOCUS] From coffee to cosmetics: How Daiso went from humble dollar store to catch-all retail giant

It is also constructing new logistics centers to open more stores and further establish its presence in the online market.

2024-01-27

[NEWS IN FOCUS] Watch out for 'biological missile drugs,' the next big thing in pharma

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), or so-called biological missile drugs, were the hottest commodity in the pharmaceutical industry last year, and the trend is going strong into 2024. Recent breakthroughs in the field are fueling optimism, and the upcoming few years could be a crucial tipping point in determining whether new pipelines will reach commercial takeoff and live up to their hype. Related Article Korean pharma shines at global health care conference Samsung Biologics, Celltrion to attend J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco ADCs are a fast-growing class of drug modality designed for targeted therapy, mostly for cancer treatments. Consisting of antibody, linker and payload, ADC delivers chemotherapy agents selectively to cancer cells while sparing healthy ones — hence the nickname “biological missile” or the “magic bullet.” Though the ADC drugs have been around since the early 2000s, heat dwindled due to their toxic side effects. But a breakthrough in the second-generation ADC, led by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s breast cancer treatment Enhertu, has reignited the global race for the highly targeted cancer therapy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved 15 ADC treatments so far, 10 of which received their nod over the past five years. Despite sector-wide slowdown last year, the world’s biggest pharma and biotech companies — such as Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca — have been scrambling to get a slice of the fast-emerging ADC market, which is estimated to reach $19.8 billion in 2028 from last year’s $9.7 billion, according to MarketsandMarkets’ forecast. The fever was evident at this year’s J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference held in San Francisco, California from Jan. 8 to 11, with J&J’s $2-billion acquisition of ADC developer Ambrx Biopharma announced on the first day of the annual investment symposium. Pfizer had acquired Seagen for $43 billion earlier that year, and Merck signed a potentially $22 billion licensing deal with Daiichi Sankyo for three ADC candidates with an upfront payment of $4.5 billion. Korean companies have also put forward ADCs as growth drivers. Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim said “We’re building an ADC facility that will be coming online at the end of this year,” in his presentation on the main stage during the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Samsung Biologics invested in Araris Biotech, a Swiss ADC-linker developer, as well as Korean ADC company AimedBio, through Samsung’s Life Science Fund last year. Celltrion, a biosimilar developer, also cited ADC as one of its future growth drivers. To secure ADC technology, the company made a $47 million equity investment in British Iksuda Therapeutics jointly with Mirae Asset Capital. It also signed a $1.24 billion deal with Pinot Bio for its ADC platform technology. Lotte Biologics, a contract development and manufacturing organization, also invested $80 million into the construction of an ADC facility at its Syracuse site. Meanwhile, Korea’s smaller biotech and pharmaceutical companies have formed partnerships for the co-development of ADC pipelines with big pharma through licensing deals. LegoChem Biosciences, for example, clinched a licensing deal with Janssen Biotech for its ADC candidate with an upfront payment of $100 million. The landmark deal, which is the largest ever signed by a Korean biopharmaceutical company, may potentially reach as much as $1.72 billion in value. “I could certainly feel the interest growing in the ADC field over the recent years,” said an anonymous executive at a Korean biotech company during the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, adding “We will likely find out whether this is hype or not in the next three or four years.” Another source from the biotech industry said, “It is true that the valuation of ADC technology has jumped steeply as of late,” citing last year's up-to-$22 billion deal between Merck and Daiichi Sankyo. But ADC technology’s growth potential has already proved legitimate, at least for the platform developers, the source said, as “the biggest hurdle for ADC drug development often has been phase one clinical trials due to the drug’s possible toxicity,” which have been going on for a while and seeing results, whether promising or not. ADC-based combination therapies also make the drugs versatile for a wide range of treatment options, the source said. BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]Korea ADC J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

2024-01-23

[NEWS IN FOCUS] Supermarkets move contentious mandatory closure days to weekdays

More supermarkets in Korea are opting to close on a weekday to avoid mandatory closure on Sundays. Large supermarkets, including hypermarkets and corporate-run supermarket chains, traditionally adhered to the Distribution Industry Development Act since 2012, which mandated closure on the second and fourth Sundays in a bid to safeguard traditional markets and local businesses and guarantee the health and the right to rest of workers. Although local governments possess the authority to determine closure days through ordinances, the early enforcement of Sunday closures in Seoul influenced widespread adoption across the country. A decade later, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration proposed the abolition of the mandatory closure system, highlighting it as the primary focus of regulatory reform — and reignited a debate on regulatory changes for large supermarkets. Related Article Mart workers in Daegu protest day off shift to Mondays [WHY] Korea's first world problem: Is the mart open? Retailers joined by administration in opposing Sunday closures The southeastern city Daegu led the shift by designating closure on the second and fourth Mondays since February 2023. Following suit, the central city of Cheongju opted for closure on the second and fourth Wednesdays — both led by heads affiliated with the ruling party. This prompted other regions, including the capital Seoul, to consider similar adjustments. Most recently, Dongdaemun District in eastern Seoul, home to some ten traditional markets, agreed to transition from Sunday to weekday closures in an agreement on Dec. 28. This follows Seocho District, which was the first district in Seoul to make such a decision. Retail operators have questioned the effectiveness of the mandatory shutdown rule in safeguarding local businesses. "Concerns have been raised about the impact on local business areas, with residents seeking supermarkets in other areas instead when local supermarkets close on Sundays," an official from Dongdaemun District said. A four-year study by the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation on card transactions near large Seoul supermarkets reveals a 1.7 percent decrease in sales on closed Sundays compared to open ones. Retail operators also contend that the shutdown rule is favorable to online platforms like Coupang and Market Kurly, given the evolving retail landscape since the 2012 revision of the Distribution Industry Development Act. The store count for the three biggest hypermarket chains, including Emart, Lotte Mart, and Homeplus, has dropped from 410 in 2017 to 375 recently, aligning with 2012 levels due to factors such as the rapid expansion of e-commerce platforms and the Covid-19 pandemic. "Now, Korea's distribution environment paradigm has shifted from large supermarkets versus traditional markets to online market versus offline market," said Prof. Jung Yeon-sung from the Department of Business Administration at Dankook University. "With the swift growth of online shopping and the restructuring of large offline establishments, it's clear that a change in regulatory strategies is needed at this time." Despite potential economic benefits, small business owners and supermarket workers worry that changing mandatory closure days may favor large supermarkets and jeopardize local businesses. The debate also extends to the labor rights of supermarket workers and the potential infringement of their weekend rest rights. "As supermarket workers could rest at least twice a month on Sundays, this gave them the chance to join family gatherings or even plan a trip," an official from the Korean Mart Labor Union said. "However, those whose mandatory rest days have shifted to weekdays are voicing concerns about a diminishing quality of life, pointing to reduced leisure time, less family engagement, and a drop in social participation, all contributing to heightened stress and both physical and mental fatigue. "Rather paradoxically, the central government and Seoul city seem to be scaling back workers' health and rest rights, even though they are supposed to be responsible for people's health and safety," the union said. BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]Korea supermarket closure Sunday Daegu Cheongju Dongdaemun Seocho

2024-01-15

[NEWS IN FOCUS] Samsung Galaxy S24 to see AI upgrades, but a camera snag

Will Samsung compromise on the camera function of its newest Galaxy S24 smartphone lineup? The upcoming flagship smartphone is expected to pack a number of exciting features including simultaneous phone call translations. But one critical aspect may see a downgrade: the camera. With just two weeks remaining before Samsung's Unpacked launch event, scheduled for Jan. 17 in San Jose, California, the rumors are swirling in full force. Walmart mistakenly uploaded a “Galaxy S24 Plus” item to its website, revealing various specs about the model, which was soon deleted. But one of the most recent leaks indicates that the S24 Ultra — the series' top model — will not be topped with an 10x optical zoom lens as its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, was. The 10x periscope lens is expected to be replaced with a 5x telephoto lens. The Galaxy S23 Ultra's camera was widely praised as one of the best on the market. Its 10x optical zoom lens, including the 100X “Space Zoom” function, utilized its own patented technology and allowed the close-up recording of events including Taylor Swift concerts. American media outlet PhoneArena recently reported that the 10x optical zoom camera will be downgraded to a 5x one, citing a tipster known as @chunvn888, who posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, a picture of the S24 Ultra's camera module lacking the 10x shooter. The phone is still expected to retain the Space Zoom function, but its quality may be jeopardized. “Optical zoom offers more clarity because it lets in more light through the lens. Digital zoom and post-processing can be a source of aid to boost and adjust the quality, but it can never be better than using the physical lens,” an industry insider said. An AI smartphone Rather than camera hardware, Samsung Electronics focusing on on-device AI function for the Galaxy S24 series. On-device means that a device can collect and process data without having to send them to the cloud, enhancing processing speed while preventing security issues. The Galaxy S24 is expected to offer simultaneous translation for phone calls where the two sides can talk in different languages, summarization of emails and an editing tool for photos utilizing the AI. Samsung Electronics does have its own generative AI model called Gauss which launched last year, but it is yet to be confirmed whether the Korean smartphone maker will deploy it in the Galaxy S24 line. OpenAI's GPT-4 or Google's Gemini could be used in the upcoming series instead, according to media outlets. Snapdragon vs. Exynos The success of Galaxy S24 is crucial for Samsung Electronics, because it marks a comeback of its in-house processor, Exynos, after the Exynos 2200 was busted for overheating issues in 2022. Since then, Samsung has been wholly reliant on Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipset to power its smartphone series, enduring a 30 percent increase in the cost of mobile application processors in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year. The Exynos 2400 will be deployed in the Galaxy S24 series along with Qualcomm's Snagdragon 8 Gen 3, Samsung Electronics confirmed, although a market and the version breakdown weren't provided. The more costly Ultra and Plus versions are likely to be powered by Snapdragon, while the base model will include the Exynos 2400 for select countries including Korea, according to local media outlets. Counterpoint Research forecasts that AI smartphones could account for 40 percent of the entire smartphone market in 2027, compared to 8 percent in 2024. Samsung's Unpacked event for the flagship S series usually takes place in early February but has been moved up to mid-January this year. BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]samsung s24 galaxy smartphone

2024-01-03

[NEWS IN FOCUS] Will OLED investment save troubled LG Display?

Existing shareholders' concerns about ownership dilution resulting from the issuance of new shares were deemed to have played a major role.

2023-12-19

[NEWS IN FOCUS] ‘Dumb phones’ and wired headsets are back in style in Korea

Technology, by its nature, progresses forward. Defying such a disposition, technology from the past is back in the spotlight in Korea. Feature phones are gaining traction and wired earphones are back in the game. Feature phones, often referred to as “dumb phones” in the United States, are the antithesis of smartphones. They have been stripped of many advanced functionalities, retaining only the basics such as calling, messaging and setting alarms. Related Article Samsung officially launches latest Galaxy foldables in 50 countries [REVIEW] Samsung's Z Flip 5 and Fold 5 add style not tech ━ Retro adds style The popularity of feature phones in Korea was largely sparked by actress Han So-hee who was frequently seen using the phone either in paparazzi photos or during livestreams on her SNS account. Girl group NewJeans members holding up the retro-styled phones in many of their videos also added to the fad. "I finally bought a 'folder phone'," actress Han said during one livestream in August. "I so wanted to do this," she said as she snap-shut the Galaxy Folder 2 and clicked on its button-style keypad made by Samsung Electronics. Galaxy Folder 2 is technically not a dumb phone as it supports Messenger and SNS apps among others. They were first launched in 2017 to cater to older generations with the simplest functions of a smartphone but sales were suspended in 2021 due to low demand. Nonetheless, phones from the past have been selling like hotcakes ever since. "In the latter half of the year, Galaxy Folder 2, as well as similar looking feature phones, were sold three to four times more compared to the first half," said Choi Yong-jin, who runs an online secondhand phone market, Ewhamobile. "Their prices have jumped, accordingly from 100,000 won per device to 240,000 won for the same one. Supply can't meet the demand now. People have to wait. Most of the buyers are teens or are in their 20s whereas in the past only grandmas or grandpas came looking for it." ━ First uptick in registered feature phones Choi's words are backed by statistics. Feature phones have 7,751 new users in September alone this year, according to the Science Ministry. The number of registered users for feature phones increased in April, May and September this year which was a first for the figure to see an uptick since the ministry started aggregating related data in 2014. The younger generation's attempt to detox on technology is another reason behind the hype. Those who were born when YouTube videos and TikTok reels were on default are now trying to unplug themselves from the noise of the world. Actress Han said during the livestream that the internet on her Galaxy Folder 2 is so slow that she "doesn't take a look at the phone as often, which is a nice thing." Those who want to stay away from the addictive features of smartphones due to studying purposes are also turning to feature phones. A second name for feature phones in Korea is "suneung phone" referring to Korea's college scholastic ability test. ━ Wireless to wired Another tech realm that has been recently invaded by retro style is earphones. Wireless earphones represented by Apple's AirPods and Samsung's Galaxy Buds were hailed when they were first introduced in 2016 and 2019 as they took away the inconvenience of tangled wires. But that convenience came with a price: charging time and jeopardized sound quality. "I bought AirPods several years ago but came back to wired earphones because of charging issue," said Choi Ji-young, a 22-year-old student in Seoul. "Charging my smartphone is enough. I didn't want to put up with any more charging issues with other gadgets. And celebrities recently appearing with wired earphones thankfully made the appearance all the more trendy." Celebrities are now frequently spotted using the wired earphones. Jennie and Rosé of girl group Blackpink are known users of wired earphones. V of BTS was also seen wearing white wired earphones at an airport where celebrities tout their most stylish demeanor. In theory, sound quality also gets jeopardized in wireless earphones, compared to wired ones. There is also a frequent lagging issue when connecting smartphones to wireless earphones that are not manufactured by the same brand. Sales of C-type wired earphones at retail franchise Daiso jumped by 10 percent during the first nine months of this year compared to the year before, the retailer said. The future prospects for retro technology is dividing opinion. While some forecast the fad will remain for good, others are skeptical of the trend. "We are living in a world where technology evolves at a rapid pace with new features and gadgets ready to wow consumers on a daily basis. Such hype for retro, or technology of the past, is hardly likely to take the main stage but is considered rather a one-time thing," said one industry insider who wished to remain anonymous. BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]feature phone dumb phone retro tech newjeans han so-hee digital detox