"Rewarding" vs "Review Bombing" Controversy Over Free Tipping for Unvaccinated Customers

A Seoul Restaurant Hosts Abalone Giveaway Event Saying "Unvaccinated Are Not Virus Carriers"
Netizens Split Between "Support" and "Too Scared to Visit" Reactions

An event was held at a restaurant in Seoul offering free abalone to those who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Photo by Online Community Capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Controversy has arisen after it was revealed that a restaurant located in Seoul is holding an event offering one free abalone to customers who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine. While some people support the restaurant, others have expressed their dissatisfaction by leaving "review bombing" comments on portal site review sections.

A, the operator of a restaurant in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, posted a notice on the glass door of the store on the 31st of last month stating, "One free abalone for unvaccinated takeout customers." The notice included the phrase, "Unvaccinated people are not virus carriers," along with, "It must have been hard dealing with social pressure. Come and tell us you are unvaccinated, and we will add one abalone to your order. We support you! Stay strong!"

Additionally, hashtags such as "Anti Vaccine Pass," "Oppose Youth Quarantine Pass," "Oppose Mandatory Vaccination," and "Free Democratic Republic of Korea" were attached.

Netizens had mixed reactions to a restaurant that announced an event giving abalone to those unvaccinated against COVID-19.
Photo by Daum Kakao Map (left), Photo by restaurant owner’s social media (right)

Afterwards, this notice was shared across various online communities. Netizens found A’s social media accounts and left messages of support. Netizen B said, "A few days ago, I went to a restaurant alone and was kicked out because I was unvaccinated, so I felt bad, but after seeing this post on an online community, I was glad and rushed to the SNS," adding, "I support the owner. I will go there tomorrow to spend money." Another netizen C also left a supportive comment, saying, "I am unvaccinated, and I felt comforted after seeing the notice," and "I wish you success."

On the other hand, those dissatisfied with the restaurant’s event have been leaving one-star ratings in the portal site’s review section, a so-called "review bombing." They expressed negative reactions such as "I will avoid it," "It’s scary that they give incentives to unvaccinated people, so I don’t think I can go to this place anymore," and "Only unvaccinated people should go."

Meanwhile, the government has extended the strengthened "social distancing" measures for two weeks until the 16th. Also, starting from the 3rd, the government will apply an expiration date to the "quarantine pass (vaccination certificate/PCR negative confirmation)." Unvaccinated individuals must use restaurants and cafes alone or opt for takeout or delivery services.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.