tripleS Reportedly Already Receiving Salary — Here's Why K-Netz Are Divided

It was recently announced that tripleS is already receiving money for their work, but it is drawing mixed reactions from Korean netizens.

On May 18, 2024, a post titled "tripleS are already receiving a wage" was shared with one of the most popular South Korean online community forums, Instiz.

There, the original poster noted that tripleS - a 24-member rookie girl group under MODHAUS - is already receiving a salary. They noted, however, that it is likely they aren't receiving equal pay. It is likely there is a huge gap between the members, noting that the popular members are like managers, while the less popular members are like newbies in a company.

Though international fans are happy to hear the members are earning money, the news is drawing divided responses from Korean netizens. This is because of how the members are likely to earn money.

A big chunk of their money comes from the sales of Objekts, tripleS's version of photo cards. Objekts are digitally bought photo cards through the app Cosmo and are considered NFTs. However, it is not NFTs in the traditional sense; it cannot be bought or sold in the market and only produces COMO, a voting token fans can use to vote on the future of tripleS's future activities.

All Objekts costs $2.99 USD. It goes without saying that the more popular members sell more digital photo cards, while the less popular members don't.

Korean netizens dislike the fact that the majority of the pay the tripleS members receive is from Objekt or photo card sales, saying that it is as if they are urging or forcing fans to buy their stuff. They believe that fans will feel as if they have no choice but to buy the Objekts so that their favorite members can earn money.

Some pointed out that the large difference between pay can also lead to tensions within the group.

However, others were happy that they were making money. Though sub-units started debuting in 2022, the group made their full team debut on May 8, 2024, meaning they are rookies. The fact that they are earning money so early in their career means the members can start saving earlier, and invest their profits.

Some comments read,

• "Ha, it's because the photo card sales go directly to their paycheck."
• "But their salary comes from their photo card sales, right?"
• "I think it's the worst that they earn from photo card sales... It feels like they are urging the fans to buy their stuff."
• "Wow..."
• "What a relief."
• "Well, they sell a lot of albums too."
• "I was looking at another group and it is taking them a long time to get paid. It's nice that tripleS are getting paid right away."

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

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Written by Alexa Lopez