In an extraordinary twist of fate, a forgotten household appliance has become the target of a nationwide treasure hunt in South Korea. The unlikely item? Old LG air conditioners, specifically models from around 2005, which are now being frantically searched for their hidden value: pure 24-carat gold logos that can fetch as much as ₹45,000 today.
The Viral Spark That Ignited the Gold Rush
This unexpected phenomenon began with a YouTube video that took the internet by storm. A Seoul-based jeweller known as Ringring Unni posted a clip titled “Is there gold in air conditioners?” which has since amassed over a million views. The video documented a customer bringing in crumpled metal letters peeled from the front panel of an old LG Whisen unit.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, the customer explained the origin of the metal. "It was removed from an LG Whisen air conditioner. It was the logo attached to the front," they said, adding that a delivery person and even advertisements from the time claimed it was real gold. The promise back then was a reward of 10,000 won for removing it.
The jeweller melted the six letters on camera and made a stunning discovery. It wasn't 18-karat gold, but pure 24-carat gold. The weight was just under one 'don' (a traditional unit equal to 3.75 grams), leading to an offer of 713,000 won, approximately ₹43,000.
From Trash to Treasure: The Follow-Up Frenzy
The excitement reached a fever pitch with a follow-up video. Another viewer presented a pristine Whisen logo, sharing that they had almost thrown it away after a local gold exchange rejected it due to a lack of certification. Inspired by the viral video, they decided to try again.
This logo, in better condition, fetched an even higher price: 748,000 won (about ₹45,000). The revelation triggered a flood of comments from viewers who began eyeing their own old air conditioners, stored in attics and grandparents' homes, wondering if they too were sitting on a potential windfall.
The Historical Context: A Limited-Edition Marketing Gimmick
So, is this gold haul real? The answer is a resounding yes, but with a catch. Back in 2005, LG produced a special batch of 10,000 Whisen air conditioners to celebrate five consecutive years as South Korea's top-selling AC brand. As a flashy promotional perk, these limited-edition units were fitted with logos made of genuine gold.
At the time, the value was modest. As per The Korea Times, gold prices then ranged between 50,000 to 70,000 won per don. In the Indian context, 10 grams of 24-carat gold was priced around ₹7,000. Today, that same quantity is valued at a staggering ₹1.34 lakh, reflecting a tenfold global surge in prices.
What was once a clever marketing gimmick worth little more than a snack is now a life-changing sum for a lucky few. While the search for these specific units is purely a game of luck, authentic tales exist of people who peeled off the logos for quick cash two decades ago, completely unaware of the future jackpot they were discarding.
This modern-day treasure hunt underscores the dramatic rise in gold prices and serves as a reminder that sometimes, fortune can indeed be found in the most dusty and unexpected corners of our homes.
