{
  "id": 16912519,
  "title": "Size matters: South Korea spared iPad mini image's potentially offensive gesture",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/size-matters-south-korea-spared-ipad-mini-images-potentially",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-28T14:37:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AppleInsider",
    "slug": "appleinsider",
    "url": "https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/10/28/size-matters-south-korea-spared-ipad-mini-images-potentially-offensive-gesture"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple has opted for a different promotional image of the iPad mini in South Korea, presumably to avoid any potential offense caused by a gesture that may be interpreted as mocking the size of a person's genitalia. The launch of the iPad mini with an OLED display sparked some controversy due to an edited marketing image that appeared to depict such an offensive gesture. The regional Apple Store in South Korea displays a slightly altered image compared to other worldwide versions. The specific image in question features a hand, palm up, with the thumb and forefinger extended, holding the right side of the iPad mini. This gesture, viewed as harmless in most parts of the world, is considered offensive in South Korea due to its association with misandry. The controversy reached its peak in 2023 when a Nexon game video incorporated a similar gesture, leading to online discussions and a public apology from the developers. Apple has a history of adjusting imagery to respect cultural sensitivities, as seen with the iPhone Air advertisement, where the fingers at the top are absent on the South Korean webpage. Apple's proactive approach in handling this issue prevented potential backlash and further controversy.",
  "summary": "Apple has chosen to use a different image in South Korea to promote the iPad mini in South Korea, likely over fears that the version used the rest of the world might resemble an offensive gesture mocking the size of someone's manhood. An iPad mini promotional image from Apple's website in most of the world [top], and the same image in South Korea [bottom] The launch of the updated iPad mini with…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "(URGENT) Communications watchdog fines Google, Apple over in-app payment policies",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/urgent-communications-watchdog-fines-google-apple-over-in-app-payment",
        "published": "2026-10-28T07:33:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korea fines Google, Apple combined $47.6 mil. over in-app payment practices",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/korea-fines-google-apple-combined-47-6-mil-over-in-app-payment",
        "published": "2026-10-28T09:02:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "South Korea media commission fines Google and Apple over app payment systems",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/south-korea-media-commission-fines-google-and-apple-over-app-payment",
        "published": "2026-10-28T10:46:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Straits Times Business",
        "title": "Google, Apple hit with $61m fine in South Korea’s app store crackdown",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/google-apple-hit-with-61m-fine-in-south-koreas-app-store-crackdown",
        "published": "2026-10-28T12:35:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews Business",
        "title": "South Korea fines Google, Apple for pushing app developers onto their payment systems",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/south-korea-fines-google-apple-for-pushing-app-developers-onto-their",
        "published": "2026-10-28T14:07:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}