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🇸🇬 Singapore /Culture & Society

BTS gift bags hit resale sites, angering fans

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Gift bags distributed at BTS concerts in Busan have appeared for resale online, angering fans who did not receive them.
  • The bags contained items like towels, umbrellas, perfumes, photo cards, and makeup, with resale prices ranging from $118 to over $400.
  • Some fans missed out on the gifts due to entry delays and shortages at the June 12 concert, leading to backlash against resellers and the resale practice itself.

Fans are expressing outrage as gift bags distributed at BTS's recent concerts in Busan have rapidly surfaced on secondhand trading platforms. The resale of these items, intended as welcome gifts for concertgoers, has sparked anger among fans, particularly those who attended the shows but did not receive a bag due to shortages and entry delays.

This time, we prepared the gifts with all our hearts. Every member opened their wallet to choose the presents one by one. We hope everyone gets the gifts.

— JungkookBTS member, expressing the personal effort put into preparing the concert gift bags.

The gift bags, which included items such as shower towels, umbrellas, exclusive perfumes designed by BTS members, photo cards, and a handwritten card, were meant as a token of appreciation. Jungkook had shared on the group's live-viewing platform that each member personally selected the presents, emphasizing the heartfelt nature of the gifts. However, within hours of the concerts on June 12 and 13, listings for the bags began appearing on sites like Karrot and Bungaejangter, as well as social media.

Resale prices for the bags have varied significantly, ranging from approximately 140,000 won (about $118) to as high as 500,000 won (over $400), with most listings falling between 200,000 and 250,000 won. The situation was exacerbated by issues at the June 12 concert, where entry delays and shortages meant that not all attendees received their promised gift bags. Hybe, the group's agency, later stated that the gifts would be delivered to those who missed out.

You should be ashamed. Not everyone got the gift bag. What are you doing?

— X userReacting to a resale post of the BTS gift bag.

The backlash highlights a deeper sentiment among BTS fans, who often view such gifts not merely as merchandise but as personal mementos from the artists. For many, the resale of these items feels like a betrayal of trust and a commodification of a personal connection, rather than a standard commercial transaction. Comments on social media platforms like X reflect this sentiment, with users expressing shame and disbelief at the resale of what they consider intimate tokens from the band.

This is ridiculous. How could you sell a gift your boyfriend gave you?

— X userExpressing disbelief at the resale of concert gifts.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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