[Big Hit YouTube channel]
SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Aju News) -- Unlike other K-pop artists, South Korea's popular boy band BTS wants fans to stop sending gifts, the group's management agency said amid growing concerns about young fans buying expensive gifs for their beloved idols.
Sending gifts and letters is a common practice among K-pop fans. Sometimes, fan clubs collect money from members to buy and send expensive gifs such as computers, motorbikes and jewelry.
"We decided not to receive any more gifts except letters," a Big Hit Entertainment official said in a post uploaded onto the seven-member group's fan community, adding the decision was made after "a long and thorough discussion with BTS members".
Only gifts sent before March 30 will be delivered to BTS members, the official said, adding they would accept gifts at fan meetings and other special events. Some fans have expressed worries about the financial burden due to a distorted practice of sending gifts competitively.
The group's international popularity has skyrocketed, creating the so-called "BTS fever" that spread to North and South America as well as Europe. The group's Steve Aoki remix version of "MIC Drop" will be used as background music (BGM) for an American cable TV drama.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
