Top Korean Band Apologizes for Membership Fee Controversy, Refunds Announced

Nell, the well-known Korean alt-rock band, has recently introduced a new application service that provides paid access to their diverse content, such as variety shows, radio, and music analysis videos. Prior to this, the band offered their content through a YouTube membership, which charged a monthly fee of 30,000 KRW (equivalent to approximately 21 USD) for access to a range of Nell’s videos. However, with the release of their dedicated app, Nell has now implemented a subscription system that includes both Basic and Premium plans.

The ‘Basic’ plan provided users with complete video access, complimentary listening sessions for online music, pre-order advantages for MD products, a private messaging function, and early booking privileges for concerts. The ‘Premium’ plan encompassed all features of the Basic plan, as well as the opportunity to enter a raffle for meet-and-greet tickets.

The problem stemmed from the expensive pricing of the plans. The ‘Basic’ plan cost 38,000 KRW (equivalent to approximately 27 USD) per month, resulting in an annual total of 456,000 KRW (roughly 328 USD), while the ‘Premium’ plan amounted to 418,000 KRW (or about 300 USD) per year.

In light of the controversy, Nell hosted a live broadcast on their official social media platform on the 23rd. During the broadcast, they expressed their regret and admitted, “Although we believed the app would address various concerns, it is now evident that we were mistaken.”

In their justification for the pricing, they stated that setting the price too low would make it challenging to control resale transactions. Additionally, they disclosed that certain content included in the membership would remain free for the time being.

Additionally, Nell conveyed her appreciation and remorse to those who had previously subscribed, stating, “We were not aware of several factors and underestimated others. Our lack of experience resulted in misunderstandings, and we sincerely regret and apologize for this.”They also assured that individuals who had already subscribed would receive refunds.

The source for this article is Nate, which can be accessed at //news.nate.com/view/20240623n17606?mid=n1008.