In a surprising turn of events, HYBE, the renowned entertainment company, finds itself under fire after revealing the ticket prices for LE SSERAFIM's highly anticipated tour, titled "FLAME RISES."
The news of the tour had initially stirred excitement among fans, as the K-Pop girl group was set to captivate audiences in Seoul, Nagoya, Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Jakarta, and Bangkok.
Outrage Over LE SSERAFIM Tour Ticket Prices
On July 3, HYBE made an official announcement disclosing the prices for the Seoul leg of the tour. Starting at ₩154,000 KRW (approximately $117 USD), fans could secure their spots at the concert, while VIP packages were available for ₩198,000 KRW (around $150 USD).
대박 르세라핌 콘서트에서 불쇼, 서커스하나봄 ㄷ ㄷ 푸바오도 데려온대요 ㄷㄷ
— 곤무원 (@kimfearnot52) July 3, 2023
ㅅ이게아니면왜이렇게비싼건데!!!!! https://t.co/8TUEDtRNAI
However, the reaction to these ticket prices was far from what HYBE had anticipated. Netizens took to social media platforms to express their discontent, criticizing the label and questioning the rationale behind such steep costs. Some even drew parallels to a recent controversy surrounding Kyochon, a popular Korean chicken franchise that faced nationwide backlash due to its price hikes.
[NOTICE]
— LE SSERAFIM (@le_sserafim) July 3, 2023
2023 LE SSERAFIM TOUR ‘FLAME RISES’ IN SEOUL 오프라인 공연 상세 안내 (+ENG/JPN/CHN)
📍 https://t.co/ozaQ77JYVE#LE_SSERAFIM #르세라핌#FLAME_RISES pic.twitter.com/yi9CuOSVkc
"Wow, are they planning to host a circus with pandas at the LE SSERAFIM concert? Otherwise, why are the tickets so exorbitantly priced?" one netizen exclaimed, reflecting the sentiment shared by many online.
The prevailing sentiment among the disgruntled fans was the perceived imbalance between ticket prices for LE SSERAFIM's tour and those for BTS, another popular K-Pop group associated with HYBE.
Neizen Reactions
This comparison fueled further skepticism and criticism towards the entertainment company.
Several netizens expressed their disappointment with HYBE, labeling them as "crazy" or even drawing an unflattering comparison to Kyochon Chicken. "HYBE is the entertainment industry's Kyochon Chicken... HYBE, you f@ckers," one comment read, illustrating the frustration felt by fans.
The exasperation was not limited to the cost alone, as some individuals questioned the group's live performance skills and whether they warranted such high prices. "Seriously, it is a disturbing species of ecosystem " one skeptic pondered.
Moreover, the unfavorable response to the ticket prices has resulted in a significant shift in fans' plans. Many expressed their intention to forgo attending the concert altogether, citing the unaffordability as the primary reason. "I'm not surprised that it's a money-crazy agency on the Hive, but it's not over 20 ha ha But is it really a song for a 2-hour show? ," one disappointed fan admitted.
As the controversy surrounding HYBE's ticket prices continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the company will address the growing dissatisfaction among fans. The scrutiny faced by HYBE in this situation may also serve as a precedent for other labels in the entertainment industry, potentially leading to similar price adjustments in the future.
Follow and subscribe to KpopStarz for more K-pop news and lists.
Cassidy Jones wrote this.
KpopStarz owns this article.
