Seoul: A growing trend among younger South Koreans sees them favouring nostalgia over modern technology, with increased interest in older iPhones and digital cameras. This shift reflects a cultural preference for vintage aesthetics and unique photo qualities, highlighting a broader movement towards retro gadgets and emotional connections to the past.
A notable trend is emerging in South Korea, as younger generations turn their attention to nostalgia rather than the latest technology. Dubbed the Youngtro trend, this movement sees millennials and Gen Z embracing older iPhones and digital cameras for their vintage aesthetics and nostalgic appeal.
This resurgence in interest particularly highlights the first-generation iPhone SE (2016), alongside other legacy models. According to the second-hand market platform Bungaejangter, listings for the iPhone 6S have surged by an astounding 519% in 2023, with sales for this model also experiencing a sizeable increase of 28%. The rising demand showcases a clear shift in consumer preference away from the most modern smartphones towards devices celebrated for their simpler, iconic designs and unique photo outputs.
Many young users perceive the vintage design of these older devices, particularly those created during Steve Jobs’ tenure at Apple, as more pleasing than contemporary models. Students have expressed how the colour profiles of photos taken with older iPhones exhibit uniqueness distinct from the more processed images produced by today’s smartphones. One student told The Korea Times, “I find the design of old iPhones from the Steve Jobs era more vintage and aesthetically pleasing than the latest models.” Another student remarked, “The colours in photos taken with an old iPhone are more unique than those from newer models.”
Lee Ji-soo, a 23-year-old who has adopted the trend, stated she uses her old iPhone 6 as a secondary phone, adding, “Among my peers, older iPhones are actually more popular than the latest ones.” This shift highlights not only personal preferences but also a wider cultural trend among the youth in South Korea where nostalgia plays a central role in technology choices.
The Youngtro trend is not confined to mobile phones. It extends to include a variety of retro gadgets, with classic digital cameras and wired headphones also making a prominent comeback. The trend has even captured the attention of celebrities, who have begun sharing photos that feature their vintage tech. The phenomenon gained significant attention in December 2023 when the K-pop group NewJeans, now performing under the name NJZ, utilised a vintage digital camcorder for portions of their “Ditto” music video.
As the Youngtro trend continues to gain momentum, it illustrates how a segment of the population is forging a connection with the past through technology, valuing its aesthetic and emotional resonance over the latest innovations in the consumer electronics sphere.
Source: Noah Wire Services
