[Youth Report] Han So-hee and NewJeans Also Use It... The Hip End-of-Century Feeling 'Feature Phone' That Makes a 'Chak' Sound When Folded

Early 2000s Trendy 'Feature Phones' Make a Comeback
From 'HyoDo Phone' to 'Popular MZ Phone'
Some Say Feature Phones Are Sought for Digital Detox

Editor's NoteHow is your youth remembered? From teenagers to college students and office workers, we bring you the joys and sorrows, worries and laughter unique to 'youth.'

As the retro trend sweeps among young people, feature phones, once called 'hyodophone' (phones for filial piety), are gaining popularity. Feature phones are mobile phones used before smartphones became widespread. They are characterized by simple functions such as calls and texts without internet connectivity. The camera quality is low, and the battery drains quickly. However, the unique 'end-of-century sentiment' of feature phones is attracting the interest of young people.

Feature Phones Used by Han So-hee and NewJeans... Becoming 'Hip Items'

Actor Han So-hee. [Image source=Han So-hee Instagram]

Recently, videos unboxing old flip phones or 'phone decorating (phone customization)' have been continuously uploaded on YouTube and other platforms. YouTubers introduce flip phones with titles like 'Flip Phones Used by Today's Insiders' and 'Why Flip Phones Are Trending Again.'

The reason feature phones, once considered 'old-fashioned,' have established a 'hip image' among young people is related to the retro trend. Young people tend to prefer old things they have not experienced themselves, finding them unfamiliar and fresh. Instead of high-resolution photos from smartphones, they find the low-resolution photos from feature phones more charming.

Office worker Jung Yoon-ah (26) said, "I remember using a feature phone until elementary school, but now I am so used to smartphones that feature phones feel fascinating," adding, "Sometimes I want to use a feature phone to reminisce about old memories."

Meanwhile, the popularity has increased further as celebrities have recently been seen using feature phones. Actress Han So-hee revealed through an Instagram live broadcast last month that she uses a flip phone.

She said, "The 'click' sound when folding the flip phone is charming," and added, "The photos don't come out badly, so I use it." She continued, "It also supports messenger apps, but it's just slow," and said, "All apps work, but because it's slow, I don't look at my phone often. So, I like it." The flip phone Han So-hee uses is presumed to be Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Folder 2. The idol group NewJeans also attracted attention by showing themselves using feature phones in the 'Ditto' music video.

'Digital Detox' Drives Some to Choose Feature Phones

Children's group NewJeans. [Image source=NewJeans YouTube]

As demand for feature phones rises, secondhand trading is also active. According to the secondhand trading platform Bungaejangter, the search volume for feature phones in the first half of this year (January to June) increased by 177% compared to the same period last year, and the search volume for flip phones rose by 39%.

Some opinions suggest that people seek feature phones not just for retro sentiment but for digital detox. Digital detox refers to temporarily stopping the use of digital devices due to fatigue from excessive digital device usage.

Office worker Koo Ji-eun (27) said, "I think I am addicted to my smartphone, but I can't easily control it," adding, "I tried deleting frequently used apps like Instagram and YouTube, but after a few hours, I felt frustrated and reinstalled them." She added, "I thought using a feature phone could be an alternative."

Feature Phones Popular Abroad as Well Instead of Smartphones

The high interest in feature phones is not limited to Korea. Recently, among Generation Z (born in the mid-1990s to early 2000s) in the United States and the United Kingdom, interest in feature phones has also increased. Abroad, feature phones are called 'Dumb Phones.'

In March, the US economic media CNBC reported that due to smartphone fatigue, demand for feature phones has increased among Generation Z. Jose Briones, a feature phone expert, said, "The generation increasing feature phone use is Generation Z," adding, "Generation Z is tired of screens and is trying to reduce smartphone use for their mental health."

Also, the Australian non-profit academic media 'The Conversation' cited nostalgia for the past, digital detox, and privacy protection as reasons why feature phones are popular among young people.

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