Following THIS move of #HYBE, various K-pop fandoms expressed their frustrations to the company. Keep reading to know what happened!

V Live To Terminate Service in December 2022– What Will Happen To Artists' Videos?

On October 31, the live broadcast platform V LIVE, which became a staple in K-pop brought news that sadden a lot of fans.

According to a notice released on that day, the representative communication channel for K-pop idol groups and global fandom will terminate its service after more than seven years at the end of the year.

"We sincerely thank the members for using the live-streaming V LIVE service with stars and fans. The service will end on December 31, 2022."

According to the guide, the entire posting service, including videos, images, and text serviced by the app, will be terminated and deleted until this year, and all rights purchased with the content rental and collection rights will expire. Regular products sold until the 28th of last month will be available until the 27th.

Free images and videos within the artist channel will be available until the end of the year, but depending on the decision of the operator of the channel, the end of the service of the content posted on the channel may be moved forward. Paid images and videos vary depending on the purchase period for each product, but they can be used until the end of the service.

Some of the paid services including V Coin (the app's currency) will be transferred to Weverse. If you agree to the process of transferring paid content rights held during the transfer of Weverse member information, you can use the same product or service on Weverse. However, only paid product content of artists on Weverse can be transferred.

K-pop Fandoms Vent Frustration After V LIVE Announcement– Why Is HYBE Being Criticized?

In particular, V Live created by Naver joined hands with HYBE, home to BTS since March.

The reason why HYBE, along with Naver was being criticized was that the former decided to integrate V LIVE into Weverse, another fan community platform owned by HYBE. However, Naver is still a major shareholder with a 49 percent stake.

Since 2015, Naver V LIVE is a global internet broadcasting platform that became popular among K-pop fandoms and idols. This was used to communicate with them through live broadcasts, releasing exclusive teasers, and broadcasting live showcases.

Fans who spent money to treasure this content are complaining on V LIVE, now owned by HYBE about the content of popular stars who did not enter Weverse, including EXO, Stray Kids, and TWICE, more.

Park, an idol fan told Herald Economy:

"I paid a lot to buy my favorite idol videos because I thought I could keep them for the rest of my life, but I'll never see them again."

Representative artists belonging to HYBE's competitors SM and JYP Entertainment particularly didn't transfer to the Weverse.

Due to these, various fandoms criticized the company for ruining the "special space" dedicated to fans and artists, which was created even before HYBE existed.

Park (31), an office worker who is a fan of the group Stray Kids, complained:

"I paid 30,000 won to 300, 000 won to buy the concert video because the usage period was unlimited. I understand free content, but I think it is not right to extinguish paid content."

A TWICE fan also said:

"It's unfair that I can't watch V-app videos that have been available through paid membership and concert videos that I bought for a fee."

As a response to these criticism, Naver official explained:

"In the case of paid content for possession, it is stipulated in V LIVE's basic operating terms and conditions that the service (platform) will be provided until the duration. Most of the contents of artists who are members of Weverse are still available on Weverse."

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Written by Eunice Dawson.