[Official] HYBE Apology Statement: “BTS Jin Hug Event Entry Conditions Modified”
Big Hit Music, the agency of BTS, announced on Weverse on the 2nd, “The entry criteria for Jin’s offline event at ‘2024 FESTA’ will be changed. We apologize for the previous notice being unclear and for not setting the criteria meticulously in advance.”
Big Hit Music continued, “After the offline event entry notice at 11 AM on the 2nd, we plan to revise the entry criteria to consider both those who purchased albums for the offline event and those who purchased albums before the notice. We will do our best to prepare the event so that Jin’s sentiments are well conveyed to the fans. We apologize once again for the inconvenience caused to the fans.”
Background of the Controversy
Big Hit Music’s apology was prompted by the controversy over the eligibility criteria for the ‘Jin Hug Event’ that arose earlier that day. According to the agency, Jin, who is set to complete his military service on the 12th, will attend the offline event of ‘2024 FESTA,’ a festival held annually to celebrate BTS’s debut day (June 13th) with fans.
The fan event with Jin will be held at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul and will consist of two parts: the hug event ‘Jin’s Greetings’ for 1,000 fans (Part 1) and ‘Seokjin on June 13, 2024, Clear Weather’ (Part 2), which features various segments showcasing Jin. This event was particularly noted for being planned at Jin’s suggestion to spend meaningful time close to ARMY (the fandom).
Cause of the Controversy
However, controversy arose over the eligibility criteria for the hug event with Jin, specifically the condition that ‘customers who purchased any album released after ‘Proof’ (including solo albums) through Weverse Shop Global during the entry period (2nd-6th)’ could enter. Despite the event being proposed by Jin for the fans, it excluded those who had previously purchased albums, raising suspicions of ‘stock clearance.’ Although Big Hit Music announced plans to revise the entry criteria, some fans still expressed dissatisfaction with the agency’s handling of the situation.
Official Statement from BTS’s Agency, Big Hit Music
Hello, this is Big Hit Music.
We would like to inform you that the entry criteria for Jin’s offline event at ‘2024 FESTA’ will be changed. We apologize for the previous notice being unclear and for not setting the criteria meticulously in advance.
Following the offline event entry notice at 11 AM (KST) on June 2, we plan to revise the entry criteria to consider both those who purchased albums for the offline event through the Weverse Shop and those who have previously purchased albums before the notice. We will deliberate thoroughly and announce the detailed information as soon as possible.
We will do our best to prepare the event so that Jin’s sentiments are well conveyed to the fans. We apologize once again for the inconvenience caused and ask for your continued support and interest in Jin’s offline event on June 13th.
Thank you.
