ENHYPEN Faces Backlash for Fansign Event with No Korean Attendees

Backlash Over ENHYPEN’s Foreign-Only Fansign Event

On November 16, 2024 (KST), a provocative discussion surfaced on the Korean forum Instiz, titled “No Koreans Win a Slot in This Face-to-Face Fansign.”This topic quickly attracted a considerable amount of attention from K-pop enthusiasts and netizens alike.

The Controversial Fansign Announcement

The Yes24 fansign for popular K-pop group ENHYPEN announced its roster of 50 winners, raising eyebrows when it was revealed that all selected participants were international fans. Not a single Korean fan secured a spot for this much-anticipated event.

Typically, K-pop fansign events involve a lottery system that includes a diverse mix of winners, comprising both local and international fans. This approach ensures that Korean fans—who play a pivotal role in the success of K-pop groups—are represented at such events. However, in ENHYPEN’s case, this practice appears to have been overlooked.

Wait a minute ㅋㅋ Out of 50 people in a regular fan signing, 50 are foreigners. What the heck? Wait a minuteㅋㅋㅋㅋ What is this..? You uploaded the wrong list, right…? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ pic.twitter.com/kWIapa3uSL

— 자바 (@holdontightjake) November 16, 2024

Reactions from Korean Fans

The announcement sparked significant backlash from the group’s Korean fanbase, many of whom accused ENHYPEN’s management of prioritizing foreign fans, particularly from China, over local supporters. Concerns were also raised about the potential language barrier, as the foreign winners might struggle to communicate effectively with the ENHYPEN members during the fansign.

Voices from the Community

Here are some notable comments from netizens reflecting the widespread dissatisfaction:

“While there are many overseas fans, it’s only fair to allocate a portion of slots for Korean fans too.”

“Regardless of the international following, this is a Korean fansign event; a quota for Korean fans is essential.”

“Aren’t they Korean artists? This decision suggests that Korean fans don’t matter at all.”

“It’s perplexing that no Koreans were selected for a fansign happening in Korea.”

“The group’s overseas popularity grows, yet their presence in Korea seems to diminish.”

“If these trends continue, Korean fans may turn their backs on the group.”

“If the agency has such little regard for Korean fans, why conduct promotions in Korea?”

“Imagine if the group speaks Korean, and their fans can’t respond—it’s a confusing situation.”

This situation raises critical questions about the role of local fandoms in the global K-pop landscape and the impact of agency decisions on the artist-fan relationship.

For further interactions and insights, visit the original discussions on X and Instiz.

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