Incheon University recently found itself at the center of a heated debate following a performance by idol group IVE during the school's festival held on May 7 to 9 .
Reports indicate that the backlash was not directed towards the idols themselves but rather towards their fans.
The lineup for the festival included popular acts like IVE, High Key, Shin-ae Ahn, and Cravity, drawing a diverse crowd over the three-day event.
However, the controversy surrounding security measures and fan behavior overshadowed the celebratory atmosphere.
Students at Incheon University, in particular, voiced their frustration over the presence of IVE fans who disregarded the school's regulations, particularly regarding the prohibition of long-lens cameras. Despite clear warnings issued by the university, fans were spotted with cameras, leading to discontent among the student body.
In an attempt to maintain order, the university had banned cannon cameras from the event, leading to a series of confrontations. Videos surfaced online showing a female staff member repeatedly urging attendees to put down their cameras, threatening expulsion for non-compliance.
The situation escalated when non-students attending the festival, identified as IVE fans, took to online platforms to express their grievances about the university's strict policies.
Some of the comments translated from these posts include:
Are students stupid? The tuition that your parents worked so hard to earn is paid for in 10 minutes by an idol and singer? Give me back the scholarship with that money. There will be a lot of noise this year. I hope there will be no such expensive performances. Universities should take care of their concepts. If they invite a famous singer, their recognition will increase and they will be accepted to Seoul National University? The money my parents saved for 5 years without using or eating = half a day for them.
If you're going to sing an idol at a festival, get students' consent. If you're going to sing an idol, reduce the tuition once it's confirmed.
Ah, they are often called 'photographers', but people who bring cannon cameras and take pictures don't really care about other people and are only focused on taking pictures of themselves. Even if you tell them not to take pictures, they don't listen and they don't care whether people around them can see it or not.
Meanwhile, fans of IVE shared their displeasure online, highlighting the difficulties they faced while trying to film the performance. Photos circulating online depicted numerous cameras in use despite the prior warnings issued by the organizers.
The aftermath of IVE's performance has sparked calls to reconsider inviting idols to future college festivals, with students urging for a ban on such appearances. The controversy serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between entertainment and respecting educational institutions' guidelines.
As discussions continue surrounding the incident, it remains to be seen how universities and idol groups will navigate similar situations in the future.
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Written by Cassidy Jones.
