K-Pop is almost always known for two merch items: lightsticks and photocards. Both are essentials for any K-Pop fan, albeit how each is collected varies based on the fandom and the groups they idolize.
Like other businesses, one often gets a pack of photocards with the members holding their lightsticks when you purchase the item.
SM Entertainment is one company whose lightsticks have always been superb. However, criticism has been thrown against their latest decision for their lightstick sales.
Recently, SM Entertainment announced a new round of sales for their artists. Of course, fans were quick to purchase the lightsticks and were pleased to learn that the merchandise came with photocards, but others were confused since, unlike most companies, only one member is included. Nonetheless, many people chose to give them the benefit of the doubt since, given the size of some of the groups, it could have been too much to show every PC.
However, after checking the details thoroughly, people notice that it’s not the case. In fact, SM Entertainment claimed to be giving out only one random photocard of a member in every lightstick purchase.
After the product graphics went public and people saw SM’s tactic on photocards, they began berating the company and labeling them as cheap and greedy.
Many noted that while there were no upgrades with the lightsticks, the company was also making it harder for fans to collect photocards. They specifically highlighted how difficult it makes collectors’ lives given that despite purchasing albums to accumulate every photo card can be tough, it is still manageable. But purchasing an excessive number of lightsticks to collect them all is unrealistic.
sm who can't even give us a ver.2 of the lightstick is now selling the lightstick with photocards and given in random at that…https://t.co/ANOxo2gc4C pic.twitter.com/2rUBRfQH32
— A (@taengirenes) February 13, 2024
but like…. why? ¯(°_°)/¯ i mean its pretty but its not even a new lightstick right? and random 1 out of 4…LOL pic.twitter.com/tUnlVWwdAZ
— 🍉에스파 포카🍉 (@aespapcs) February 13, 2024
okay so not only the NCT and WayV lightsticks comes with ONE (1) RANDOM PC now, but WayV have 2 different PCs so wayzennis need to fight to get their bias PCs randomly out of 26 options available 💀💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/y85PavRppN
— Annie 🩵 (@nuo2yi) February 13, 2024
Other agencies would have get a new lightstick design to sell with photocards, but no SM is just selling an old version lightstick that most already have with the photocards of the members people gonna get is random 😂
— 🐱 (@seimeizu) February 13, 2024
K-pop companies have long faced criticism for exploiting their fan base, with many labeling this choice as the result of “capitalism greed.”
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