Popular SM Girl Group Spark Controversy For Putting Korean Fans First

K-Netizens were happy.

It seems like more K-Pop groups have started implementing the domestic fan club pre-sale policy for ticketing.

Groups such as CORTIS and ENHYPEN have previously used this method and garnered massive attention.

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Most recently, aespa has started using this ticketing policy, sparking controversy among fans.

The ticketing notice for aespa’s tour announced the order of ticket sales would be domestic fan club pre-sale, global fan club pre-sale, and general sale. It was revealed that domestic fan club members would be able to ticket 5 days earlier than global fan club members.

While some argue that prioritizing domestic fans is only right, given that the concert was held in Korea, others point out that this system is not suitable for global fandoms.

They also raised the issue of the effectiveness of blocking overseas scalpers and resellers.

With the K-Pop concert market already overwhelmed with ticket scalping, there are frequent reports of overseas scalpers securing domestic concert tickets and reselling them for outrageous prices.

However, K-Netizens agreed that it was only right to prioritize domestic fans.

| theqoo

• “What fairness are you talking about? They prioritize overseas fans whenever they go abroad, so they should prioritize domestic fans in Korea, too.”
• “It’s all about prioritizing domestic fans.”
• “Let’s apply this policy to all idols so that no one can criticize aespa.”
• “Of course, they will prioritize domestic fans since there are more of them. Why are we talking about fairness…since when did this community care about that?”
• “Just leave the fans alone. Let us enjoy it too. It’s unfair that we can’t even go to concerts because of vendors.”
• “We are loving this new policy, so stop butting in.”
• “Of course, domestic fans come first…it’s a concert in Korea.”