The KFTC discovered that these companies have been shortening the legally mandated refund period. Under current e-commerce law, customers are entitled to withdraw from a purchase within three months or within 30 days of discovering a defect. However, Weverse Company and others informed customers that even defective products could only be refunded within seven days. Additionally, they imposed unreasonable restrictions, such as requiring video evidence of the unboxing process to qualify for refunds.
This behavior, known in Korea as “gapjil” (abuse of power), effectively shifted the burden of proof onto the consumers, violating e-commerce laws. These practices not only limited customers’ rights but also exploited the loyalty of teenage fans, who are less aware of their legal protections.
The idol merchandise shops of the four biggest K-Pop agencies, Weverse, YG Plus, JYP 360, and SM Brand Marketing, have been sanctioned by Korea’s Fair Trade Commission. Photos via Wikimedia Commons.
In response, the KFTC issued corrective orders and imposed fines totalling 10.5 million KRW (approximately 7,740 USD) on the companies involved. Weverse Company was fined approximately 3 million KRW (2,210 USD), while YG Plus, SM Brand Marketing, and JYP 360 each received fines of 2.5 million KRW (1,840 USD). The fines were reduced as the companies voluntarily corrected their practices following the investigation.
A KFTC representative emphasized protecting teenage consumers in the entertainment industry and stated that the commission would continue to monitor for similar violations. They warned that stricter penalties, including business suspensions, could follow if such practices persist.
Earlier this month, the team responsible for HYBE’s operations in Japan held a press conference in Tokyo to discuss strategies and future plans for the Weverse app in Japan. Weverse is a fan community platform that facilitates interactions between artists and fans globally, offering services such as community management, media content distribution, merchandise sales, and real-time streaming.
Weverse currently manages official communities for over 130 artists and audition programs from both South Korea and internationally. It stands as the largest platform of its kind, serving users from 245 countries and regions in 15 languages with real-time translation features. As of last June, Weverse surpassed 100 million downloads. While specific user data per country remains confidential, Japan ranks among the top five countries with a notably active user base.
Weverse Japan’s General Manager, Moon Jisu, revealed that his team surveyed users in March and found that the app’s satisfaction rate is 87 percent. Some complained that Weverse isn’t very user-friendly and has “too many features to use effectively.” To address their concerns, Moon Jisu and his team will streamline the app’s interface. They hope doing so will make it easier for fans to communicate with their biases.
B1A4 trying the new weverse's joint live feature with Gongchan cooking some ramyuns in the kitchen while the hyungs waiting at the studio.
A notable enhancement they made to the app was based on a suggestion made by ENHYPEN’s leader Jungwon. Thanks to him, Weverse will now allow artists to do joint livestreams, with real-time translations extending to 12 languages for Korean streams and four for Japanese ones. This feature is already live—B1A4 tried it a few days ago, much to the amusement of their fans.
Not everyone is amused, however. While many praised Jungwon for his innovative suggestion, others pointed out that BTS’s V had mentioned wanting to do joint livestreams before Jungwon did. V would even switch to Instagram because Weverse’s limitations didn’t allow him to go live with his members. However, Jungwon did something V didn’t—he actually made a formal request for the feature to be added.
Ultimately, regardless of who suggested it first, the addition of the joint livestream feature is a valuable addition to Weverse that artists and fans alike can benefit from. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Jungwon played a big part in getting Weverse to add this long-awaited feature to the app. Source: X/@Lychee_0209.
HYBE has begun preparations for the 2024 Weverse Con Festival. Slated for June 15 and 16, the festival will take place at the Inspire Arena and Discovery Park in Yeongjong-do, Incheon.
2023 Weverse Con Festival – We Log
Who will perform at the Weverse Con Festival?
HYBE is keeping a tight lid on the Weverse Con Festival lineup, leaving fans in suspense about which of their favorite artists will be performing.
Weverse, launched by HYBE in 2019, has quickly grown into a major fan community platform. TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) was the first group to join on June 11, followed by BTS on July 2. Since then, more artists from HYBE labels and international stars from Universal Music Group have joined. YG and SM Entertainment artists were added to the app in 2021 and 2023, respectively, broadening the platform’s appeal.
The 2023 edition of the Weverse Con Festival featured a stellar lineup, including BOYNEXTDOOR, BTOB, and fromis_9, among others, raising expectations for this year. The first set of performers will be unveiled in March, followed by another announcement in April.
2023 Weverse Con Festival ‘Artist Zone’ Behind
About the venue
The Inspire Arena and Discovery Park, the venue for this year’s Weverse Con Festival, stands as a testament to the event’s grandeur and scale. Located in Yeongjong-do, this integrated entertainment resort is poised to become the largest of its kind in Northeast Asia. It had a soft opening in November 2023.
This resort features the Inspire Arena, a 15,000-seat multi-purpose indoor venue optimized for live performances. It also includes Discovery Park, an outdoor entertainment space that can hold up to 30,000 people. The state-of-the-art facilities and strategic location of the resort make it the perfect setting for the Weverse Con Festival. This ensures an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
How to get to INSPIRE Arena (about Transportation, Accommodation, and Storage Guide)
The history of the Weverse Con Festival
The Weverse Con Festival has evolved significantly over the years. In its first year, it was called 2021 NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE presented by Weverse. It was a virtual concert held on December 31, 2020 to ring in the New Year with performances by artists affiliated with HYBE. This event was a response to the coronavirus pandemic, allowing fans to enjoy live performances safely from their homes.
The second edition, known as 2022 Weverse Con [New Era], took place on December 31, 2021. By that time, the pandemic was beginning to subside. This paved the way for an offline concert at Hall 4 of the Korea International Exhibition Center. This concert was also streamed live.
By 2022, the festival had adopted the name “Weverse Con” and introduced an outdoor component, expanding its scope and scale. The edition held last year at the KSPO Dome and 88 Lawn Field was the first to be called the Weverse Con Festival. Moving to a June schedule and adding outdoor stages, the festival aimed to offer a more expansive and immersive celebration of K-pop.
The 2024 Weverse Con Festival is set to offer a blend of in-person and online experiences, catering to fans worldwide. In addition to live performances, the festival will feature a tribute stage spotlighting legendary musicians who have left a significant mark on Korean popular music. Last year’s tribute to Uhm Jung-hwa, known as “Korea’s Madonna,” was a highlight. This year’s honoree will be Park Jin-young (JYP).
HYBE is also focusing on enhancing the festival experience with technology. Last year, they minimized the inconvenience of long lines through a queueing service on the Weverse platform. Fans also got to create customized merchandise. This year, HYBE plans to introduce new technologies in cooperation with Weverse, aiming to make things more convenient for festival-goers and provide new fan experiences.
Before ticket sales begin, HYBE will offer “Blind Tickets” at a discounted rate, allowing fans early access to the festival at a reduced cost. This initiative, along with the detailed planning and anticipation surrounding the event, underscores the Weverse Con Festival’s significance as a celebration of K-pop’s past, present, and future.
As the festival approaches, fans and artists alike are gearing up for what promises to be an unforgettable showcase of innovation and talent in the world of K-pop. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: See you in June, everyone! Source: X/@weverseofficial.
It looks like Jennie has a special treat for BLINKs this season! The BLACKPINK member just announced that she is planning to cover a Christmas song as a gift for her fans. However, Jennie Kim also wants BLINKs to choose the song she would perform!
JENNIE Wants BLINKs Help on Upcoming Christmas Song Cover
Jennie recently gained international acclaim with her solo track “You & Me” and enjoyed success with her collaborative song “One Of The Girls.” However, the BLACKPINK member has more exciting news for her dedicated fanbase. She took to Weverse to reveal her upcoming surprise, promising a special gift for her fans.
“BLINK! It seems like the weather has suddenly turned very cold. How is everyone taking care of themselves? The colder weather seems to signal the beginning of winter.. If it’s winter, it’s Christmas, right?” Jennie wrote.
Jennie of BLACKPINK asks fans which Christmas song they want her to cover this year. pic.twitter.com/990tAqk79J
“To be honest, I was thinking of covering a song for this holiday, but I thought it would be more meaningful if BLINK chose the song together than if I chose it alone…,” she continued. “You all know that I miss you and I miss you a lot, right? Don’t get sick and don’t forget that I always think of you.”
It’s a sweet message and fans are understandably excited about the idea of JENNIE covering a Christmas song. However, it is important to note that the BLACKPINK member is open to the idea of covering any song and not necessarily one for the holidays.
With December on the horizon, Jennie has something magical in store for her followers. She plans to showcase her enchanting vocals in an epic cover, setting the stage for a delightful and melodious experience. As her fans eagerly await this special treat, the month of December is sure to be filled with even more joy and anticipation thanks to Jennie’s upcoming musical surprise.
The SEVENTEEN leader revealed on Weverse that a CARAT paid for his meal and then left without saying a word!
S.Coups is on a mission to find an important CARAT. The SEVENTEEN leader has taken to Weverse in his search for a Good Samaritan. According to the rapper, a fan had paid for his meal at a restaurant. However, they did so discreetly without revealing their identity!
S. Coups Searches for Mystery SEVENTEEN Fan on Weverse
On September 15, S. Coups shared a touching encounter. An anonymous fan generously paid for his meal without uttering a word, leaving the act of kindness a secret. This unexpected gesture deeply moved the artist. Impressed and touched by this selfless act, S.Coups took to Weverse to personally express his gratitude to the thoughtful fan.
“Man, who…why did you pay for the meal and leave…who is it? which CARAT was it?” he wrote. The rapper further explained what happened in the comments section.
“A couple paid for it and left, which of the two is the CARAT??” S. Coups wrote. He then further explained that the gesture was a great comfort. “I was getting worn out from the rehabilitation but I was comforted (by the fan),” the rapper wrote.
The public acknowledgment not only highlighted the fan’s generosity but also showcased the genuine connection between artists and their dedicated supporters, reinforcing the bond between idols and their fandom. Such heartwarming instances serve as a reminder of the positive impact fans can have on their favorite artists and the reciprocal appreciation that often blossoms within the K-pop community.
SM Entertainment artists during the SMTOWN 2022 concert in Japan. Credit: Facebook/SMTOWN
It’s official: SM Entertainment artists are moving to HYBE-owned fan community platform Weverse.
On Tuesday, September 5, Weverse announced that 13 SM Entertainment acts will launch their respective channels on their platform. Their respective channels will simultaneously open on September 12, 2pm KST.
💖SM ARTISTS Weverse official fan community will open on Tue. September 12, 2023, 2:00 PM (KST)🎉
These artists include Kangta, BoA, TVXQ!, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, SHINee, and EXO. Red Velvet, NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV, aespa, and RIIZEwill also join the platform.
“Everything from dedicated communities to official membership! Get connected with SM ARTISTS on Weverse,” they captioned the post.
From Kwangya Club to Weverse
SM Entertainment first announced their plans of moving to the fan community app by HYBE in April. “Through the coexistence of our private messenger bubble and the fandom platform Weverse, we are materializing the fan-centered ‘SM 3.0,” the agency said then.
At the time, SM Entertainment artists were using the private messenger service DearU bubble and Kwangya Club. However, Kwangya Club, which was launched in June 2022, will be closed by September 11.
With this move , SM Entertainment artists are expected to have easier communication with their fans. This is because the platform is known for its community service and livestream options. Moreover, official merchandise of the agency will now be available through the Weverse Shop.
Additionally, SM Entertainment assured supporters that all fan club memberships purchased from Kwangya Club will also be automatically transferred to their respective Weverse accounts.
In a press release,Weverse company CEO Choi Joon Won said: “We welcome artists of SM Entertainment, who are loved by fans around the world, to Weverse,”
Although artists signed to companies under HYBE’s multi-label system were the first to trythe app, more K-pop acts have since moved to the platform. In fact, YG Entertainmentacts like BLACKPINK, WINNER, and TREASURE are also using the HYBE-owned app.
Featured image: SM Entertainment artists during the SMTOWN 2022 concert in Japan. Credit: Facebook/SMTOWN
RM is sharing his feelings with ARMYs as BTS draws closer to a major milestone. The BTS leader posted an honest message addressed to his fans. Interestingly, the message reveals how he feels about the group’s 10th anniversary.
RM Reveals Feelings About BTS’ 10th Anniversary
Kim Namjoon recently posted a lengthy update on Weverse. In his post, the BTS rapper greeted ARMYs before sharing his feelings about the 10th anniversary.
“Hello everyone. It’s been a long time. Hope you all are doing well. I’m getting along all right, just trying my best to live in the present,” RM wrote.
“These days I am discovering more about who I am,” he added. “There are times when there are an endless amount of words I want to say, but I forget them quickly. It’s been ten years since we came out to the world. How are you guys? Are you ok?”
[230505 RM Weverse Post]
🐨 hello everyone it’s been a long time have you been well ive been just spending time and not doing too much im just trying to live in the present time
“Sometimes, no, often times, I wonder. How you’re doing, your thoughts, hope and despair, what you believe in now, what you want to believe, what you are chasing, if you feel the seasons well,” RM continued. “As I’ve said several times before, it’s getting harder and harder to open my mouth. I don’t know. I guess I am learning to be more silent as I become an adult.”
“Many sad things become happy, and happy things become sad. I sometimes feel unfamiliar when I watch the videos and words I have said in the past. I can hardly remember anymore,” he added. “It’s strange that these things are becoming dull and sad, and empty. The confidence that I’ve had sometimes disappears. I guess this is just how I am right now.”
“I’m curious and afraid of what it will be like after I return. Time goes by so fast, and everything changes, even me,” RM wrote. “I don’t want to ask for all the love irresponsibly, and I don’t want to cling to you. Rather than wandering around looking for love, if I stay in love and I put in the effort, I want to believe that love will come to me naturally.”
RM Expresses Gratitude For ARMYs’ Ongoing Support for BTS
RM then pointed out that BTS’ 10th anniversary is coming and expressed his feelings of gratitude to his supporters.
“It’s our ten-year anniversary soon. It’s sad that there are things that are getting more and more difficult as the dust piles over time and our hearts. But in a way, maybe that’s just how it is with the weight of our hearts. That means that the pieces we’ve shared are that big,” he wrote. “I am humbled and give thanks every day. I will continue to reminisce about what was a part of me, and as always, I will be fine. Will have been pp (passive participle).”
It is noted that the last line “will have been pp (past participle)” implies he is good, he is doing good, and that he will be doing good.
RM concluded with a sweet message for ARMYs.
“Although you will have a lot of hard times, and it may be very painful, please be well! I will be curious sometimes and often! My words and my letters are the way I give you my love,” he wrote. “This is my current state now. Be careful of the rain and cold! By the time you forget about me again, I will find you again. Stay healthy!”
Kim Namjoon had previously confirmed he intended to enlist for military service at the same time as J-Hope. However, the BTS leader chose to delay his enlistment to finish a project.
The Moonbin & Sanha Weverse Community is officially shutting down. ASTRO’s agency FANTAGIO decided to close the recently opened community following the passing of Moon Bin earlier in April.
ASTRO Agency Announces Moonbin & Sanha Weverse Community Shut Down
FANTAGIO issued a statement regarding the status of the Moonbin & Sanha Weverse Community. According to the statement, the agency has decided to suspend the community following Moon Bin’s sudden passing.
“All services within Moonbin & Sanha’s Weverse platform will end on April 30,” it read. “Following the termination of service, it will not be possible to view or upload posts, photos, or videos on all menus, and it will not be possible to enter the community following the end of service.”
The agency urged fans to “back up the content” that they wish to save. “We apologize for the inconvenience caused in using the service,” the statement concluded.
Moonbin & Sanha was an active ASTRO subunit before Moon Bin passed away earlier in April. The Weverse Community had been opened following their latest comeback with the album ‘Incense’. Moonbin passed away on April 19, just two days after the community was opened.
Sanha has kept his silence following his subunit partner’s passing. However, he left an emotional handwritten letter at Moonbin’s memorial space in front of the FANTAGIO building.
“Hyung, are you well? I miss you so much,” he wrote. “Your image still lingers in front of my eyes. I know if I show such a weak side, you’ll give me a scolding, but just let me stay like this a little longer.”
He added, “I promise to be happy, just like you told me to. I’ll keep that promise for certain. Know that I love you a lot, and I love you.”
J-Hope is saying goodbye to ARMYs, at least, for now. The BTS rapper logged on for a final Weverse Live before his military enlistment next week. Jung Hoseok took time to assure fans that he is preparing for his military service.
On April 13, ARMYs learned that J-Hope will begin his basic training on Tuesday, April 18. The BTS member will enlist with the New Recruit Training Center Division A in Gangwon-do. However, Hobi made sure his fans got a proper farewell before he left.
J-Hope Logs Final Weverse Live Before Military Service Next Week
In the early hours of April 15, J-Hope logged on to Weverse Live to interact with ARMYs. He read fan comments and admitted that he is no longer worried about his military enlistment.
“To be honest, I felt like ‘what do I do’ about a week ago. But now I feel okay to the point I wonder if I should feel this way. Maybe I became indifferent,” he said.
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately,” Jung Hoseok added. “I thought ‘time passes by so fast,’ that it’s already time (for me to enlist).”
J-Hope also assured ARMYS that he is taking time for himself before his enlistment. “I’ve been eating and sleeping well,” he stated.
Jung Hoseok confirmed that he received his notice for military service on March 16. He also revealed that fellow BTS member Jin reached out to him with some great advice.
“Right when I got the notice, Jin contacted me. I asked a lot of questions, and Jin gave me advice on what I needed,” J-Hope said.
Jin is the first member of BTS to enlist for military service. Kim Seokjin began his enlistment in December 2022 after promoting his solo debut single “The Astronaut.”
J-Hope will begin his military enlistment on April 18, 2023. He is expected to be discharged by October 17, 2024.
![[ASTRO PLAY] 어디선가 본듯해 이 포스터📸](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XCUPwR0o8uI/hqdefault.jpg)
![[SUB] BTS J-HOPE WEVERSE LIVE (2023.04.14) | J-HOPE LIVE](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6uOxLSy-QYo/hqdefault.jpg)
