In recent developments, SEVENTEEN, the popular K-pop group, has found themselves in the midst of a heated controversy surrounding the pricing of their latest deluxe album version.
Fans and netizens alike have raised concerns over the steep cost, leading to a response from the group's agency, Pledis Entertainment.
The issue came to light on May 7 when a post titled "The price of SEVENTEEN's deluxe edition album, which is not well received by fans" surfaced on the Korean forum theqoo.
The post quickly gained traction, garnering over 50,000 views and nearly 1,000 comments within a short span of time.
Fans were taken aback by the price of SEVENTEEN's deluxe version of their latest album, "17 IS RIGHT HERE," which includes a photobook, sticker, a full set of photocards, and key rings.
The crux of the controversy revolves around the pricing disparity compared to previous deluxe versions of SEVENTEEN's albums.
While past releases were priced around 40,000 won (approximately 30 USD), the "17 IS RIGHT HERE" deluxe version carries a hefty price tag of 170,000 won (approximately 125 USD after a 17% discount).
Netizens voiced their frustration, labeling HYBE, the parent company of SEVENTEEN, as greedy for setting such an exorbitant price.
Here are some notable comments from netizens:
- "Wow, I really hate HYBE."
- "Does it make sense for it to be more expensive than a concert ticket?"
- "HYBE are trying to recover their money after their stock dropped due to Min Hee-jin"
Amidst the mounting criticism, Pledis Entertainment issued a statement addressing the pricing controversy.
The agency clarified that the initial price was a result of an error, stating:
"Due to operational errors, the initial planned price was incorrectly communicated to the distributors as the final price, causing a price labeling error on the sales page."
Pledis further explained:
"The album was initially planned as a limited edition with a special configuration to commemorate Seventeen's Best Album release. In the preparation process, the composition and price were changed to allow more fans to enjoy it in line with the concept of the Best Album rather than emphasizing rarity."
To rectify the situation, Pledis announced a price adjustment, lowering the album's price to 83,400 won (approximately 60 USD), with a discounted price of 69,500 won (51 USD) after a 17% discount. The agency also pledged to facilitate refunds for those who purchased the album at the original, erroneous price.
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Written by Cassidy Jones.
