Group BLACKPINK met with fans to celebrate their 10th debut anniversary, but the event has been surrounded by ongoing controversy.
BLACKPINK members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa held a Meet & Greet event to celebrate their 10th debut anniversary at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 8th, meeting with 40 fans.
Initially, the event was announced to have only some members in attendance, but it was later corrected to a full-group gathering with the statement, "Upon verification, all final four members will attend." However, with the announcement made just two days before the debut anniversary and attendance limited to 40 people, fan dissatisfaction regarding the timing and scale had already surfaced before the event even took place.
At the event, the members shared their joy, expressing gratitude to those who practiced with them during their trainee days and the fans who have sent unwavering support over the past 10 years since their debut. Notably, Jisoo was seen shedding tears after the event, touching the hearts of fans.
However, after the event concluded, the return gifts given to fans, commonly known as "reverse-tribute" gifts, emerged as a new point of controversy. At the time, fans received a bouquet containing two flowers and a rice cake set. As it spread through online communities and social media that this rice cake set was identical to a product sold commercially for 6,900 won, reactions emerged stating that it was disappointing for a 10th-anniversary commemorative gift.
Issues were also raised regarding the operation of the National Museum of Korea, where the event was held. Eyewitness accounts flooded online platforms stating that access to the museum's special exhibition hall was restricted for a certain period on the day of the event. Furthermore, a netizen filed a complaint with the Audit Office of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, requesting an investigation into whether the entire process by the National Museum of Korea regarding the event's approval, facility use, viewing restrictions, and public notice handling was appropriate.
(Photo: SBS E! News, Reported by Kang Kyung-yoon)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.