The Audi model, which costs 228 million won (US$222,600), gained the unexpected popularity as it became a dream car for Internet users. (image: The Car Spy/flickr)
SEOUL, July 31 (Korea Bizwire) — German auto brand Audi is gaining “not intended” PR (public relation) effect in Korea thanks to a couple of Audi automobile-related incidents which spread widely and quickly through social networks.
Recently, a rumor of romance between two Korean celebrities became the talks of town. The possible courtship between Bundesliga soccer player Son Heung-min and Minah, lead vocal of the K-pop group Girl’s Day became instantly created a buzz.
The audience’ eyes were, in particular, on a certain part of their sweet date, Audi R8 Coupe, in which the two were enjoying “secretive” dates around various locations like the Gangnam Station and the Han River Park.
The Audi model, which costs 228 million won (US$222,600), gained the unexpected popularity as it became a dream car among the local Netizens. Upon hearing the romantic affair of the two celebrities, Koreans posted humorous accounts on their SNSs, saying, “What I envy Son for is not Minah but his Audi R8,” and “I don’t care whether they date or not. I just want to taste the machine since it is sexier than Minah.”
In line with the celebrity love story featuring Audi brand, there was a moving episode involving another Audi automobile. On a famous online community site, an Internet user posted his experience which featured a heartwarming and moving tale about Audi owner.
He wrote that “[I saw] an accident. A handcart pulled by a 7-year-old boy helping his scavenging grandmother scratched an Audi car parked on the street. The grandmother was completely at a loss and the boy was about to cry.”
He continued, “The car owner made a timely appearance then, and (to everyone’s surprise) bowed his head and apologized to the old lady saying that his car got in the way of the grandmother’s cart path on the street.” The witness continued to convey the story, “The hero’s wife managed to sooth the crying boy. The couple was a rare breed of kind people. I personally envy their virtuous characters, not their money.”
This post allured more than 40,000 viewers instantly and spread to other online communities and SNSs like Facebook and Twitter.
As the post made headlines in various SNSs, Audi Korea announced that the company would repair the Audi in the story free of charge if the owner makes contact with the company.
By John Choi (johnchoi@koreabizwire.com)
