How a harmless sock haul became a full-blown misunderstanding needing an explanation is really beyond all of us here.
This is going to need an explanation in the correct sequence of events.
Earlier this May, Baekhyun came on Twitter, talked with fans, and showed off a brand-new pair of socks that he had just bought in bulk. As he was telling everyone how comfortable they were, fans became interested and asked him where he bought them.
진짜 그업체에물어봐야하나싶어지금 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ공구어뜨케하는건데 안녕하세여 백현인데요.. 그 혹시 엑소엘이라고 엑소 팬분들이랑 같이
양말좀 사고싶은데 할인좀 많이해주심안대요!? 라고!?— Baekhyun_EXO (@B_hundred_Hyun) May 14, 2023
(I am really considering if I need to contact the sock company directly ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ. But how do you do a group order ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ. Hello, this is Baekhyun.. I would like to put in a group order for EXO-L, EXO’s fans, so could I get a discount!? Should I say that!?”)
In reply, Baekhyun jokingly said that he would ask his stylist where they got it and would ask if it were possible to put in a group order for him and EXO-Ls.
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ양말같이 공구해서 사는 연예인있냐고오~~ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ너무웃겨우리 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 근데해보고싶다!! 에리들한테 싸게해주고시퍼! 뭐든!
— Baekhyun_EXO (@B_hundred_Hyun) May 14, 2023
“ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ what kind of celebrity puts in a group order for socks with his fans~~ We are so funny ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ . But I kinda wanna try!! I wanna buy them cheap for Eri! Anything for Eri!”
[Theqoo] #BAEKHYUN’s sock group order story attracts lots of attention from muggles and fans of other artists
🔥 HOT article@B_hundred_Hyun #백현 pic.twitter.com/40vtdUeS0F
— ᴏɴʟʏ ʙᴀᴇᴋʜʏᴜɴ (@knetsonbaekhyun) May 17, 2023
Though the entire exchange with fans was completely harmless, some online users thought that Baekhyun was marketing the socks in order to make money off of his fans. But, on May 22, 2023, Baekhyun took to Bubble, a fan messaging platform, to clarify the whole misunderstanding.
“I didn’t mean to make money by using Eri (EXO-Ls)…The group order for the socks…it just came up suddenly. Oh, I want Eri to be able to buy the socks that I like for a better price! I was honestly expecting some negative response. But I didn’t care since it would make me happy if Eri could buy the socks for a good price! And I asked the sock company to give them to me for as cheap as possible, since I didn’t need any profit from it…I just want to have fun with Eri. That is when I’m happiest and when I can laugh genuinely, so I hope that others will not sully those moments…I’m sorry if I came across too much like a salesperson. But since I can’t hold a concert or meet with you in-person right now, I wanted to repay you with something else. I didn’t want you to feel that emptiness. I know how hard it is to wait.”
Netizens reacted to the whole “misunderstanding” as if it was very questionable in the first place. Fans, on the other hand, were all up on arms and strongly defended Baekhyun against the (honestly where) backlash.
baekhyun is the only idol that i've ever seen to do whatever fans ask for! no matter it's big or little he tries his best to make it happen! he restocked teolaegi just cause fans asked, he searched for group ordering socks just to makes fans happy! he deserves so much better!!!
— 飞天 H (@BOXIANx) May 22, 2023
Baekhyun is one of not many idols who actually listens to fans and hear them & the teolaegi was one of BAEKHYUN'S FANS wishes & go socks too, if you don't like it no one's forcing you to buy it bitch that's wasn't even for you.
— ✴︎ (@baekcentric) May 22, 2023
i think people forget that most of baekhyun’s fans are grown up adults with jobs. we can decide what money we want to spend on him and if we want to spend at all. if i want to spend money on a doll and socks i will do it. if i don’t want to, even if it’s HIM i won’t … like. 😂
— lina (@legendbyun) May 22, 2023
If Baekhyun drops the socks group order I'm buying 10 of them!! I hate y'all for making him upset 😣
— anj (@DelightChanyeol) May 22, 2023
All baekhyun wanted to do is give back to the fans, comes on here regularly, does spaces to talk to fans, listened to what they've gone through with tickets and pricing etc. Fans asked for things and he's giving it, teolaegi restock, sock go, both things fans asked for
— Jinnie ~ 🌸✨ (@imaJlNation) May 22, 2023
our sock g.o master byun baekhyun doing god's work https://t.co/oE3fSZ1TTc
— 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮🍭c(^ㅅ^🍬c) 「백현이의 든든이🩷」 (@lightbaek614) May 19, 2023
hi im sorry but what the fuck did baekhyun do to get him in trouble over SOCKS?
— jess 🌸🍉 (@rapIinemp3) May 25, 2023
how do people think a double million seller solo singer and a billionaire like baekhyun needs money so much he's selling fucking socks
— latte, Sp. OMG (@hundredlatte_) May 22, 2023
Kinda stupid when you think about it like you losers think a millionaire is gonna drain your bank over SOCKS? Especially given the fact that baekhyun on multiple occasions have told fans not to bulk buy his albums and to save money. Like c'mon now.. pic.twitter.com/51B4l6pf7I
— anya🍉 (@homosexiuyeol) May 22, 2023
Please don't take that criticism to heart Baekhyun-ah! It's ridiculous! 😤 We fans asked for Teolaegi + the Socks GO is such a fun idea! Baekhyun actively communicates with fans about high ticketing prices and such, tries to make it better. ♥️ @B_hundred_Hyun #큥이버블 #백현버블
— Choco ´ㅅ` Lonsdaleite 💎🖤 (@Baeklar) May 22, 2023
Also, get you an idol that holds group orders for SOCKS. Stan Baekhyun and stan EXO.
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