Many people had no idea this happened.
8 minutes ago
A fansite has sparked discussion after exposing what allegedly really happens behind the scenes at K-Pop fan sign events.
BLACKPINK Fan Sign
The fansite claimed there are people hired part-time to attend the fan signs.
Nowadays, there are very few genuine fans attending fan sign events. Most of the attendees are people hired by the company to pretend to be fans. Even so, these sign events continue to be held one after another, and the company refuses to lower the spending threshold. It is extremely common for people to spend a large amount of money and still fail to make it onto the entry list.
— @Smile_O421/X
Discarded SEVENTEEN albums mass purchased to get into a fan sign event
These people receive preferential treatment over the true fans.
What’s worse, many of those who initially participated as paid “fake fans” end up developing an interest in certain members, and then continue to attend sign events without spending money by relying on certain connections. This situation has already been happening and persisting for a long time.
— @Smile_O421/X
BTS Fan Sign
Because of this, the situation is unfair for real fans of the group and/or idol.
Meanwhile, genuine fans who have invested both their money and their sincere support have long been subjected to this unfair treatment and have received no respect as consumers. Fan sites are shutting down one after another, and long-time supporters are leaving the fandom. I believe it is necessary to speak out about this and ask the company to take fans’ reasonable demands seriously.
— @Smile_O421/X
8TURN Fan Sign
Netizens reacted to the news, disappointed by the unfair circumstances.
- “Wow… the company buys the albums, and they even hire part-timers to fill the fansigns. This is literally K-pop with no real substance.”
- “Wait, being a hired extra is actually a great deal though. But deceiving fans like that is awful.”
- “This is so shocking…”
- “Ugh.”
- “This is seriously ridiculous…”
| InstizSource: Instiz and @Smile_O421/X