Despite their recent announcement about the BTS 2024 FESTA merchandise, HYBE, the entertainment company behind BTS, has faced intense scrutiny.
The declaration, released on June 4 through Weverse, unveiled a selection of personalized merchandise such as t-shirts, hoodies, phone cases, and a bucket hat. Nevertheless, the response from the devoted followers, referred to as ARMY, has been predominantly unfavorable.
[Notice] Notice of change in application criteria for 2024 FESTA Jin offline event https://t.co/YCnpo5tcvJ #2024BTSFESTA #BTS11thAnniversary
— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) June 2, 2024
2024 #BTS FESTA Timeline 🗒️#2024BTSFESTA #BTS11thAnniversary 💜 pic.twitter.com/UMBSDRUola
— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) May 31, 2024
Despite offering a unique feature of customization with emblems representing BTS, FESTA, and individual members, the merchandise has not been well received by the fanbase. Furthermore, some items included special gifts like an assortment of patches for additional personalization, but this has not helped in making the designs more appealing to fans.
2024 FESTA #weverse_by_Fans Pre-sale and on-site pickup information 🛍️ Create your own Merch using #BTS ( @bts_bighit ) assets, and conveniently meet at the 2024 FESTA on-site pickup booth 💜 📌On-site pickup date: June 13 (Thursday) 11 AM ~ Thursday, June 13th 7:30 PM KST 📌On-site pickup location: Songpa-gu, Seoul… pic.twitter.com/u4XIgBECdV
— Weverse Shop (@weverseshop) June 4, 2024
Upon the release of the new products on social media, ARMYs expressed their disappointment. The designs were deemed unoriginal and lacking in connection to BTS. This sentiment was widely shared, with many criticizing HYBE for their perceived laziness in creating these items, particularly during a significant celebration for BTS and their fans.
One ARMY member commented, “HYBE just making it easier to boycott…”
THIS SHIT IS UGLY, WHO IS YALL NEW GRAPHIC DESIGNER BC? ???? HYBE JUST MAKING IT EASIER AND EASIER TO BOYCOTT FR… pic.twitter.com/0djWmEkID0 https://t.co/YPEvbUaxZX
— chels⁷ (@JKUGHH) June 4, 2024
11/12 is the same as the one sold on Shopee, when you use it people will think you bought it on Shopee😔😔😔😭💔 https://t.co/q2gqczh6xo pic.twitter.com/0YDprip6Ln
– yaa🐳🐰 (@ksjk9297) June 4, 2024
11/12 is the same as the one sold on Shopee, when you use it people will think you bought it on Shopee😔😔😔😭💔 https://t.co/q2gqczh6xo pic.twitter.com/0YDprip6Ln
– yaa🐳🐰 (@ksjk9297) June 4, 2024
What’s happening Weverse? Seriously? Are all your graphic designers on vacation??😭😭😭 https://t.co/1FMSuTxQpg
— HOPE on the Street 🤍 RPWP (@jeongmau) June 4, 2024
What’s happening Weverse? Seriously? Are all your graphic designers on vacation??😭😭😭 https://t.co/1FMSuTxQpg
— HOPE on the Street 🤍 RPWP (@jeongmau) June 4, 2024
even i can do better https://t.co/F2mFf5HtMX pic.twitter.com/9UJVqbfo29
— lucie⁷ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡᵉᵗ ᵍᵒ | semi ia (@googiepies) June 4, 2024
the corners on the logo…… this is so messy holy fuck https://t.co/bv33N4sN0p pic.twitter.com/Z0p6nHFeq0
— Big Hit Intern⁷ (@whereisjoon) June 4, 2024
whoever is in charge of creative direction for bts, be it for merch or posters or group album concepts, needs to be fired and replaced by 2025 and i’m so serious https://t.co/dtdWqqljiX
— V (@snowflowerist) June 4, 2024
2024 has to be the year with the most boycottable merch because look at this stuff 😨😨 https://t.co/HtMmfjs9Cm pic.twitter.com/QC3lWsli3Z
— writing 중 (@idalika__) June 4,
This highlights the increasing discontent among fans, particularly in response to a current boycott against HYBE due to accusations linked to Zionism.
The boycott against HYBE continues to gather support from fans who are dissatisfied with the company’s behavior and associations. The recent release of what they view as inferior merchandise only reinforces their already existing frustrations, providing fans with more reason to refrain from buying the latest products.
Despite HYBE having faced criticism over merchandise before, the company continues to be embroiled in controversies surrounding the quality and relevance of products released for its artists. This latest occurrence with BTS’s 2024 FESTA merchandise seems to be just another addition to the ongoing saga.
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