The craze began in mid-December when a Seoul jeweler posted a video appraising the "Whisen" letters removed from an air conditioner manufactured in 2005. The jeweler confirmed the logo was crafted from 24K gold, weighing nearly 3,75 grams (equivalent to one tael of gold). At the time of appraisal, the letters were valued at 713,000 won (approximately 13 million VND).
The gold after being melted. *Screenshot from Ringring Unni - YouTube*. |
The item's owner stated he nearly discarded it because local gold shops refused to buy it without a certificate. "I only realized its value after watching the video that said the Whisen logo was real gold", the customer recounted.
Soon after, another customer brought a similar logo for sale, which was valued at 748,000 won.
A representative from LG Electronics confirmed that in 2005, the company released a limited edition of 10,000 Whisen air conditioners featuring pure gold logos. This was to celebrate its position as the world's best-selling brand. In 2008, the company launched another 10,000 units with a one won gold plate signed by a famous artist. However, over time, these valuable details were gradually forgotten by users.
This information is currently creating a stir on South Korean social media. The appraisal video has attracted over one million views. Many people say they will immediately return to their hometowns to check their grandparents' old devices in search of good fortune.
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The W-H-I-S-E-N gold logo. *Photo: Chosun*. |
The craze has also spread to older tivi models. Last month, the logo on an "XCANVAS" tivi, a 2002 World Cup limited edition by LG, was also discovered to be made of 18K gold, with a buy-back price of over 17 million VND.
Twenty years ago, gold prices were low, so these details were not particularly prominent. However, with the current rapid increase in gold prices, they have suddenly become "treasures" located right in the living room.
"LG accidentally helped customers make long-term gold investments for two decades without them knowing", one netizen commented.
Bao Nhien (According to Straits Times, Chosun).
