The group IVE has decided to stop accepting gifts and support. This decision comes just three months after member Jang Wonyoung made headlines for receiving gifts worth millions.
On the 15th, IVE’s agency, Starship Entertainment, announced through its official channel, “We have decided not to accept any gifts or support other than fan letters from now on.”
The agency explained, “We hope that the gifts you send will return to places that are more needed by the fans, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation.”
This move officially informs fans that they will not be accepting the so-called ‘support’ culture. This practice involves fans sending gifts or showing support on location with snacks, lunch boxes, or coffee trucks — a long-standing tradition.
However, the perception of fans giving expensive gifts to celebrities, who are not low-income, is not favorable. It has led to increased burdens on fans due to competition, prompting a trend against such practices.
In fact, back in August, IVE member Jang Wonyoung’s Chinese fan base raised approximately 500 million won to create a diverse gift list that included luxury brand bags, clothes, shoes, hats, accessories, perfumes, cameras, game consoles, and various cute items, which sparked attention. Comments like “Are they still accepting gifts?” sparked debate among netizens.
Although the gifts stem from passionate ‘fanship,’ concerns have grown, turning it into a potentially controversial culture. Some celebrities have begun to reject the practice, accepting only handwritten letters.
BTS, IU, Seventeen, G-Dragon, TWICE, and aespa have also banned such support, leading some fans to make donations in the artists’ names, creating a virtuous cycle. As IVE chooses to refuse extravagant gifts, many netizens applaud this decision.
Image source: Xportsnews
