Apple changes ad in South Korea over gesture that could be seen as mocking men’s genitals
The advertisement for the iPad mini in South Korea has a pretty big omission, and observers are pointing out that this may be due to it being similar to a gesture linked to mocking men’s genital size.
According to Korea JoongAng, the tech giant’s promotional images on its US and China sites feature a hand pinching the small device to show how slim it is.
Source: Apple
However, the South Korean site omits the hand entirely.
Source: Apple
Removal of hand suspected to be connected to ‘feminist hand gesture’
The omission of the hand in South Korea specifically raised eyebrows.
Although Apple has not publicly elaborated on why they have made this specific choice, observers suspect it is because the gesture closely resembles one that sparked controversy in South Korea.
The “jibgeson“, or “crab hand”, is connected to an online feminist community in South Korea called Megalia. Their logo is of a pinching hand, meant to mock men for having small genitals.
The gesture is commonly linked to anti-men sentiments among young men in South Korea.
According to The Korea Times, the gesture has previously sparked controversy.
In 2023, several video game companies in South Korea apologised and took down promotional images and videos featuring the gesture.
International netizens flabbergasted by move
When the news was shared online, international commenters had strong words for the change.
One commenter said the true headline should be “Apple caters to whiny dudes with baby d*cks”.
Others echoed that sentiment, calling people who found the gesture offensive to be insecure.
Source: Reddit
This is not the first time Apple has done something similar in South Korea.
Back in 2025, an advertisement for the iPhone Air featured a similar gesture that was also not present in South Korean versions.
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Featured image adapted from Apple and Apple.
