This choice is changing the way fans and artists communicate.
Recently, the fan support culture is moving towards moderation and management.
With IVE's decision to stop accepting gifts and support from fans, discussions surrounding idol group support policies are on the rise. Starship Entertainment announced on their official fan community that they will not accept any gifts or support, except for fan letters. This decision stems from the desire for the gifts fans send to be used in a meaningful way elsewhere. Fan support, which involves fans sending food, flowers, and presents to artists, has recently faced criticism for fostering excessive competition and burden. Since their debut, BTS has maintained a policy of not accepting any gifts except fan letters, a standard that has been applied to all Hive artists. IU has also refused high-value gifts, proposing alternative support options through collective donations from fans on occasions like her birthday. Likewise, rookie groups such as Le Sserafim and Nmix have adopted similar policies, altering their approach to fan support.
IVE's decision can be seen as a sign that fan support culture is moving towards moderation. The previous support culture led to economic burdens for fans and fostered a competitive spirit among artists. This shift appears to be a result of considering the well-being of both fans and artists. Recent trends show fans communicating with artists through content consumption and supportive messages rather than material gifts. Agencies are embracing these changes, emphasizing more structured forms of fan support to protect their artists. It is hoped that this transition will lead to positive outcomes.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
