BTS singer Jin is returning from his military training this month and one of the first things he’s doing is meeting his fans. On the occasion of BTS’ anniversary, Kim Seok-jin is hosting a fan meet in which selected fans in South Korea will get a chance to greet the Bangtan singer and even share a hug with him. The event will take place in two sessions, with one of them live streamed online. While fans are excited that Jin will reunite with fans, they are angry that the live stream is a paid activity.
“Hello. This is BIGHIT MUSIC. We are excited to announce an in-person event led by BTS member Jin to celebrate 2024 FESTA. This event was prepared in order to fulfill Jin’s wish to spend meaningful time with ARMY in person on BTS’s debut day. We invite you to join us as we express our gratitude for your unwavering love for BTS,” the announcement on Weverse read.
“The first session will not be streamed online.The second session will be streamed live on weverse exclusively for ARMY MEMBERSHIP (GL, JP, US) holders. More details will be provided in a separate notice at a later date,” the statement read. The agency also listed a list of dos and don’ts to ensure the event is safe and memorable for fans and the Moon singer.
While fans were happy for those who will get to attend the event, they were not okay with the paywall. “Bighit and hybe are EVIL for this. the first session wont be streamed online and the second session will be streamed live for the membership holder, which means people HAVE TO PAY TO SEE JIN AFTER 18 MONTHS OF NOT SEEING HIM. we got free live with joon last year ,” a heartbroken fan wrote on X.
“I know my nini wasn’t the one who decided to close the events to membership only,” added another. “Jin will be interacting with the in person attendees, not the stream. this isn’t to protect him, this is to have fans pay even more money to them,” a third user wrote.
Jin wasn't even okay with the price of his artist made merch, I know he wouldn't be okay with his return being behind a paywall. Hybe is not listening to the boys or armys anymore. This should worry EVERYONE.— ryan⁷ (@yoongiswrist) June 1, 2024
i still remember his shock when he saw the price of his pajamas and being against making fans pay this much money. literally hybe are going against jin's wishes by making the live only for those who pay.i'm glad i'm with jin. on the other side. against hybe too. https://t.co/2OslL5VQPG— Rach⁷semi ia (@UrEyesTelll) June 1, 2024
I need y’all to have that livestream ☠️ ready or i’ll do something very drastic. Hybe really testing my crazy putting the first event with Jin in almost 2 years behind a paywall. pic.twitter.com/qA2wmWly2M— ⁷ ♡ (@closeryoongs) June 1, 2024
The way they’re choosing to have Jin’s return be celebrated behind a paywall is one of the worst decisions they could make. Jin and Armys deserve better. https://t.co/myV0i6nIjY— Diana ✨☀️ (@starlitcastles) June 1, 2024
So you're telling me it's the long awaited return of THE Kim Seokjin, and you're putting the live stream behind the army membership paywall??!! And nobody cares??This part of the announcement just ruined Jin's return for me, it should've been FREE, we all deserve to see him pic.twitter.com/oyjqcKTf4e
— Y⁷• (ꪜ) (@sometimeshere_) June 1, 2024
The event will take place on June 13.
