The story of two youngsters in China who attempted to sell their kidneys in order to buy the new iPhone is the hottest thing on Chinese social media these days. (Image : Apple)
SEOUL, Sept. 17 (Korea Bizwire) – The story of two youngsters in China who attempted to sell their kidneys in order to buy the new iPhone is the hottest thing on Chinese social media these days.
The absurd story started when Apple started to accept pre-orders for the new iPhone 6s. Wu, a teenager who is a huge fan of Apple even though he is penniless, came up with the idea of selling a kidney and using the money to buy a new iPhone. With his friend Hwang, Wu entered group chats and asked for tips on how to sell his organs.
Following the advice of another person in the group chatroom, the two went to a hospital in Nanjing for a blood test and kidney checkup in the morning of September 12.
However, they learned that the test results would not be available the day of the test, and they were devastated that they could not get the cash they needed right away.
Time passed, and as the afternoon approached, the crazy fog around Wu’s head cleared. He started to persuade his friend Hwang, who he drew into the scheme in the first place, to change his mind, saying that it was not worth it to sell a kidney for an iPhone. But Hwang, who was already possessed by the idea of getting the new iPhone, did not change his mind.
To persuade Hwang, Wu asked for help at a police station in Nanjing. However, Hwang was furious and ran away. He even turned his cell phone off.
Debates on whether it’s worth it to give up a kidney for a new iPhone are raging on Chinese social media sites.
Apple, which seems like the only winner in this story, is quietly smiling, as they have been flooded with pre-orders in the Chinese market. As China was included in the first release group, the first supply of the new phones was completely sold out within 12 hours of the opening of pre-orders. After that, there is at least a three or four week wait for the new phone.
By Francine Jung (francine.jung@kobizmedia.co.kr)
