A Busan apartment complex has sparked controversy online after requiring delivery drivers to remove their helmets and provide personal information. Delivery drivers have criticized some apartments for imposing excessive entry procedures, coining the term 'Cheonryongin Apartment' to describe them.
The issue began when a delivery driver, identified as A, posted a video on his YouTube channel on July 21, showing the delivery process at the apartment. The two-minute video features A explaining the entry procedures to a staff member and the customer.
According to the video, A arrived at the apartment to deliver food but was informed that he needed to remove his helmet and write down his personal information in a logbook at the first floor.
A questioned the necessity of providing personal information and the requirement to remove his helmet, but the staff member insisted that he could not enter the building without following the established procedures.
A requested to speak with the customer, but when the staff member did not facilitate the call, he stepped outside to contact the customer. He explained the situation and indicated that he would leave the food at the first-floor desk.
The customer reportedly responded, "Aren't you supposed to bring it up? Other apartments do the same. If that's the case, don't charge me for delivery. I will contact the delivery platform." Ultimately, A left the food at the desk and departed.
Following the incident, the delivery platform's customer service contacted A to confirm whether the delivery was completed. After A explained the situation, the platform decided not to deduct the delivery fee.
As the video circulated online, many criticized the apartment's entry procedures as excessive. Internet users expressed that it was unreasonable to require both helmet removal and personal information from someone who was clearly there to deliver food.
Some commenters remarked, "It feels like delivery drivers are treated as potential criminals," and suggested that if residents were that concerned about outsiders, they should come down to receive their deliveries themselves. Others argued that if such stringent procedures were necessary, delivery drivers should be compensated with additional fees.
Since delivery work is time-sensitive, many pointed out that lengthy entry procedures could directly harm drivers' earnings. Comments included, "The time spent having delivery drivers fill out logs and arguing with staff counts as work time," and "If I have to park my motorcycle at the front and walk far to the delivery location, it takes too long to complete a single delivery," adding that the conditions were not feasible under standard delivery fees.
In fact, delivery drivers have created a so-called 'Cheonryongin Apartment Map' to share information about complexes with strict entry procedures. This map reportedly includes around 50 high-end apartment complexes across the country, including those in Seoul's Gangnam district.
The term 'Cheonryongin Apartment' is derived from a popular manga, 'One Piece,' referring to a privileged class, and is used to mock apartments that impose stricter procedures on delivery drivers than on regular visitors.
The inconveniences faced by delivery drivers extend beyond just providing personal information. Some apartments reportedly prevent motorcycles from entering the complex, forcing drivers to walk from the entrance to the delivery location, or require them to use freight elevators instead of regular ones.
There are also claims that some complexes require drivers to leave their identification or motorcycle keys at a storage area. Delivery drivers argue that when they are subjected to different procedures than regular visitors, it feels like discrimination based on their profession.
Testimonies from internet users who have experience as delivery drivers echoed these frustrations. Some stated, "I refuse to accept orders from apartments with overly complicated entry procedures from the start," and "It takes a significant amount of time just to walk from the entrance to the delivery location," while others expressed discomfort at having to leave their identification or keys behind.
Conversely, some argue that the apartment's security measures should not be dismissed as mere 'bullying.' They contend that in large complexes with frequent outsider visits, it is necessary to verify visitors' identities to prevent crime or theft.
Some commenters noted, "A minimum identity verification for resident safety is necessary," and pointed out that a helmet may obscure a delivery driver's face. They argued that if the same procedures apply to all external visitors, it would not be considered discrimination.
Residents with young children or those living alone may feel uneasy about unidentified individuals freely accessing common areas and elevators.
However, many internet users agreed that even if security procedures are necessary, the scope of personal information collected and how it is stored should be clearly explained. They argued that if visitors are asked for their names and phone numbers without being informed of the purpose of collection or when the information will be discarded, it is natural for them to feel uneasy.
Ultimately, this controversy highlights a clash between resident safety and the labor rights and privacy of delivery drivers. While security cannot justify all demands, it is also difficult to label all entry procedures as unilateral bullying.
Experts and internet users suggest that entry standards should be standardized across apartments, with only essential information being verified. There is a growing call for common standards that both residents using delivery services and drivers delivering food can agree upon.
Meanwhile, the specifics of this incident have been revealed through A's video and media reports. As the official stance of the apartment complex and all conversations that took place on-site have not been made public, there are calls to refrain from indiscriminate doxxing or accusations against specific complexes or individuals.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.